Tuesday Bobby Flay chicken, with the 2021 Jochem Beuer Rose. Deep, red fruit, a little hard, others like it more than me. B-

Very hot day Wednesday, but there was a nice breeze off the river, and a good group had a great time at jazz concert. Food included chorizo in red wine, manchego/pepper/anchovy, tomato/basil/feta, Armenian eggplant dip, baba ganoush, hummus

2021 King’s Flower Rose (cotes de Provence)
Flat, insipid, my vote for worst Provencal rose of all time. C/C-

2021 Domaine Ilarria Irouléguy Rosé
I liked this (a Tannat/CF blend) more than others. Full, almost a light red, actually sensation of tannin, but with interesting red fruit and a lot of green herbs. More for me! B+/B

2020 Pepiere La Pepie Muscadet
Seashells by the seashore, B/B+

NV Veuve Ambal Grande Reserve Cremsnt de Bourgogne
Crisp, green apple, slightly coarse mousse but good value,, B/B-

Thursday flank steak and leftovers with the 2020 Pavillon de Chavannes Cuvee des Ambassades Cote de Brouilly’ Always a good value, Raspberry, pepper, spice. Nice balance. B/B+

Friday we had over two couples for dinner. Assorted apps- hummus, baba ganoush, Armenian eggplant dip, taramasalata smoked salmon
NV J.M. Seleque “Les Solistes” Extra Brut Rose Champagne
100% Meunier. Raspberry, strawberry, lime zest, baking rolls, I really enjoyed A-/B+

2015 Rolet Chardonnay (Arbois)
Lemon, green apple, tart acids, good value., B

Ron brought caprese
2017 Zarate Tras da Vina Albarino
Good acids, citrusy, a little hay. Nice but not quite as impressive as recent Balado. B+/B

Then cold lobster and warm corn
1989 Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne
Sure, these older LL Charlies are oaky, but man they handle it well. Pear, butterscotch (2 non geeks both say this), almond, long and deep chalky finish with fresh acids still at 30+. A-

2012 Piuze Terroir de Chichee Chablis
Like the ‘12 Courgis last week this is just fine, rich citrus, bracing acids, flinty finish. No premox here (or even ox).B+

And a red meat course to work in a red. Pork belly bulgogi, salad, potato salad
1993 Louis Jadot “Chouacheux “ Beaune 1er Cru
Unsure where I got this, no records. But glad I did- elegant, feminine, fragrant, cherry laced with sandalwood and violets. B+/A-
(PS even native French speakers unsure what Chouacheux means)

Dessert was ice cream with Alex’s berry coulis

Sunday oysters, flounder, sesame soba with broccoli. Usually with flatfish in panko I do white Burgundy or Loire, but the soba dish moved me to Riesling. The 2009 Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Spatlese GK was rich and lovely, but maybe a little sweet for the dish (the combination of vintage and GK meant this could easily pass for Auslese). Sweet citrus, peach blossoms, and just a hint of petrol. Rich, deep, long. A- for wine, B- for match

No wine Monday with fiery Kung Pao chicken

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.