Tuesday was very hot for April. I spatchcocked a chicken, which then
sat with some Greek-esque spices for a while, then was rubbed with
olive oil, garlic, and lemon before grilling. Wine was the Ch. d'Oupia
Minervois rose, which played its role well. Strawberry and raspberry
fruit with a light bitter edge, good acidity, nice finish. Definitely
not for those seeking fruit as a primary goal. Pondering this wine I
realized that the very light bitter edge is pretty common among pinks
I like. Good value. B/B+

Wednesday Betsy was at NYU for the VOX showcase, I visited a very ill
employee at Harlem Hospital then headed downtown to meet her. We dined
at Apiary, quickly becoming one of my favorite NYC restaurants. She
chose the appetizer special I had last time (house-cured citrus salmon
topped with a soft poached egg and trout roe), I had the excellent
sweetbreads. She had Chatham cod with a tapenade, while my main was
skate on a bed of razor clam chowder with lots of bacon. We also had
Brussels sprouts. Wine was off the list, the 2006 Dureuil-Janthial
"Maizieres" Rully (very fairly priced at $42). This is a nice white
Burgundy that is drinking well now, and paired well with both the
sweetbreads and the skate. Bosc pear fruit with a citric edge, some
vanillin oak but not overpowering, really excellent length for a
village (I think, don't think this is 1er) Rully. Good crispness, big
for appellation, I quite enjoyed. 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.
*