TN: Domaine Drouhin OR PN, Ogier Rosine, and a red Muscadet sorta

Saturday was some supposed Alaska king salmon on the grill. I was a little sceptical of $7 king, but it actually was delicious. Sides were corn, eggplant, and salad. Wine was the 2001 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir. Lovely example of Oregon Pinot, ripe red and black fruit with some tannins that need a little time to integrate. As it aerates, the black cherry fruit develops secondary aromas of earth and a little coffee. Good stuff with bright balanced acidity, my guess is will get better. Day 2 the tannins were still there, the acidity less apparent, the fruit even riper. B+-A-

Sunday Betsy did duck legs. The Pinot was ok with it (usually PN-Burg is my go-to duck), but better was a 2001 Ogier "La Rosine" VdP des Collines Rhodaniennes (the ducks had mustard under the panko; the Syrah seemed to deal with the spiciness better). Nice fruity Syrah with a firm acidic backbone and light tannins, the dark (blackberry and black raspberry) fruit had a meaty note than could have almost pbutted for a C-R. Not THAT serious a wine, but a swell bottle for the midteens. B+ Tonight we had a quiet Labor Day, Betsy made a veal ragu from a Biba Caggiano recipe. I went to the cellar for a Tuscan Sangiovese, yet emerged with a 2004 Pepiere Cuvee Granit (Vin de Pays du Jardin de France). This wine (I'm pretty sure I remember from earlier vintages it's Cab Franc and Gamay, from the Muscadet area) had good acidity and needlely fruit. The tannins seemed surprisingly noticable for a CF-Gamay blend, but not harsh. Bitter cherry fruit, with a funny earthy note I can't pin down. Some kind of gardening smell- potting soil or some lawn treatment. I ask Betsy (the gardener) , she guesses "Roundup." Hmm, she's joking, but I think she doesn't like this. I like it ok, give it a B, we'll see what it's like day 2.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. 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