Maconnais 'a Deux

[Innkeeper]

Hosted my sister and b-i-l for two nights past. The first night we had smoked baby back ribs in Carolina red sauce with sour dough biscuits, and salad ready for them on arrival. They eagerly washed in all down with a couple of jugs of Easton Barbera.

The next night (last) after a full day of rusticating we provided haddock 'a la creme, baby potatoes roasted with scallions, and more salad. Served with two jugs of different Maconnais. Everything enjoyed by all.

2001 Domaine Fichet, Chateau London, Macon Ige ($10 Blue Hill Wine Store). Very, very nice, showing lightly pitted fruit on the nose and upfront. Surprising crisp body with more apples and pears across the palate, and a refreshing finish. Would definitely get more of this one.

2001 Bouchard Aine' & Fils, Macon-Villages, Chardonnay ($7 Belfast Coop). A nice journeyman M-V. Noticeably inferior to the previous bottle by all. Is the first one worth three bucks more? Yes!

[wondersofwine]

I like a Puligny-Montrachet Les Referts from Jean-Philippe Fichet. Perhaps the same family as Domaine Fichet? In a side-by-side comparison I liked the Fichet Les Referts better than the one from Carillon who is considered one of the stars of white Burgundies. I think I have one more Fichet P.M. Les Referts that I am holding for awhile.