TN: Loads of cheapies right before Christmas

Thursday Betsy made a chicken recipe with caramelized onions, olives, and sage from a magazine recipe. Andrea Immer suggested a big Zin, but what was sitting on counter was the 2001 La Fleur de Jaugue (St-Emilion). Something a little riper-herbier (Southern Rhone?) might have been a better match, but this wasn't bad, and an excellent QPR at $12. Good raspberry and blackberry fruit, some new oak, good finish. Some earth and leather after a while to hint at origins. B

Friday I spent most of the day preparing for my group's Christmas Party on the Streets. Certainly the rest of the year we don't serve alcohol, but we've had a tradition of carrying mulled wine on this Party (although the hot chocolate and even coffee are usually more popular). The regular muller wasn't available this year, so I took it on. I went to the store and picked up a load of cheapie reds, supplemented by a couple bottles I didn't want, and 2 open bottles. Being a complusive Tasting Note Taker, I poured a 1 oz pour of several to try (and spit, hey it was 10 AM). Some notes on wines on a level seldom encountered here: 2001 Vendange Merlot (California)  You know, for $7-1.5L, you could do worse. Not much in the way of structure or finish, but there's a light touch of violets on the nose and on the palate there's modest red fruit, with no "off" flavors. C+-B-

2002 Soldo Merlot (Veneto) Here's one way to do worse. Yuck. Thin weedy fruit, low acidity (thin fruit yet flabby, hard to imagine),  with a somewhat off (burnt?) aroma. C--D+

2004 Concha y Toro Frontera Cabernet-Sauvignon (Vallee Central) I had slightly higher expectations of this, after some decent C y T wines in the past. But this wine is cleanly  made but rather dull, with little varietal character. C+

These and some others (opened Cline Zin, Lafarge bourgogne, plus a magnum of Concha yToro Shiraz I forgot to taste) simmered with some cider, cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest all day.

That evening we went to my wife's sister for a post-Christmas pageant (rowdy shepherds, confused angels) meal. Potluck, with a nice spread (the highlight for me a savory gorgonzola cheesecake Betsy had made). I limited my consumptionn as I'd be driving later, but managed sips of several wines:

2001 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay Good rich pear fruit, a bit softer and oakier than is my preference. Still, a well-made value with nice presence. B

2001 Micante (Tuscany) Not bad at all, a nice Chianti-lookalike with cherry fruit, good acidity, clean finish. B

2001 Veramonte Merlot Easy drinking Merlot with soft acidity, ripe strawberry-red plum fruit, and lvery ight oak notes. B-

2003 Prieuré d'Amilhac Pinot-Chardonnay (VdP Côtes de Thongue) This was a white opened previous day for Betsy's recipe. No TCA at the time, but within a couple of hours something musty-funky was developing. Thin and light, some wood notes overpowering what fruit there is. The musty thing doesn't really smell like TCA, but not something I want to drink. Figure the spices and heat will take care of that. If this is how it's supposed to taste, C-

Went home, rested, then went to a local church where we loaded 5 vans & trucks with supplies. Headed to Manhattan, where about 125 homeless friends awaited us on a windswept plaza. About 50 more than we expected, but things mostly went well- caroling around a live tree with portable lights, lots of food, presents for the homeless. I told everyone that the rest of my crew were all playing Santa Claus, while I was playing Scrooge (making sure no one jumped line, keeping order). I was pretty busy, but several people made their way over to comment on: 2004 Dale Williams Midnight Run Mulled Wine All of the off flavors have disappeared in the long simmering, a warm refreshing fun drink on a cold night. The allspice, cinnamon and clove provide a lift to the nose, the light sweetness from the cider not cloying at all. Everyone who tries seems to enjoy, except a couple of older guys, rather dedicated alcoholics, who stick up their noses and say it's ok, they have some vodka waiting on them. B+

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 Dale

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