More wines with food

[Florida Jim]

Dinner with George:

With bruschetta:

N/V Chandon, Blanc de Noirs Rosé:

Light and easy to drink with a nice bead. No faults and good with the food. Price unknown.

With sautéed mahi mahi , lemon pasta and peas with mushrooms:

1998 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Murto Vnyd.:

Young, oaky, disjointed and not at all what I expected – not showing well and seems to have lost its Murto-ness. $30 on release; I should have drunk this sooner; I’d not buy it again at that price.

With cheese and bread:

2000 Malartic-Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan:

I don’t drink much Bordeaux but this tasted like Graves and was clearly well-made. On sale locally at $33; I’d pay that again but only for a bottle or two.

And another:

With pasta and zucchini in light cream sauce:

1998 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir Wahle Vnyd.:

Much better than the Murto with dark plum aromas and flavors, fine but grippy tannins, much better integration and a brooding delivery. Probably still needs time in the cellar but showing nicely now. $30 on release; needs time and I’d buy it again at that price.

With crispy cheese toasts:

1986 Dunn, Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mtn.:

Substantial sediment; bottle bouquet and sour red fruit smells; still has some grip with delicate red fruit flavors and considerable complexity in the mouth, balanced, excellent development and very detailed; strong finish. Almost feminine and a very nice wine. Price unknown.

Best, Jim