Chronic Negress

Now, where was I? The house is suitably clean and there’s some lamb simmering in the slow cooker. It’s perfect time to get back to the little slips of paper with wine information scribbled on them. This system may go back into place since I no longer have a cell phone camera (I am also no longer using brute force to press the keypad, so it’s a worthwhile tradeoff). The first. most dog-eared slip says, “Grand Vins des Cotes du Rhone Cornas 2000.” This somehow seems like a lot of information but also not enough track this wine down. Suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

The next scrap is a little clearer. “Gusto Lunia New Sauvignon Blanc 2000.” This might have been my first NZ Sauvignon Blanc, and I obviously copied wrong since it’s Gusto Luma. The wine is from Marlborough, and I clearly enjoyed it since I was buzzed enough to lose my ability to spell. One online tasting note says this is “pleasing for the price.”

Next, there’s 2001 Provenance Cabernet/ Merlot blend from Rutherford in the Napa Valley. I will admit I don’t remember a thing about this wine. Sometimes the slips have a note like “John’s birthday” or “dinner with Katy at Cru” but there’s nothing here to place this wine in context. I checked the winery site and this must have been a short-lived experiment because it’s not included in their library wines for sale. I may be headed to Napa again next month so maybe I can do some sleuthing and update.

Well, this wine I remember all too well but for the best reasons. The 1997 Yamhill Valley Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley introduced me to the joys of Oregon Pinot Noirs.  Susbsequent vintages have been reliably drinkable. This an excellent wine to share with people who think engorged Cabs are the favorite wines. It will turn their heads for sure.

The last scribble is 1997 Chateau du Prieure from Brouilly. This is a modestly priced Beaujolais that’s pretty difficult to find now. I also suspect that I drank this when it was young and even the Beaujolais crus are not designed for lengthy cellaring. If you can find a more recent vintage, you’ll have some fun with this. It’s a gentle red that’s pleasing and somewhat shy.

Unless I find some more of these under the couch, this  retrospective is pretty much done. I’ll probably check in next for Wine Blogging Wednesday as soon as I find out what the assignment is.