Thursday Betsy had to leave early, but left me a chicken breast and a
tomato/eggplant/caper salad. I opened the 2004 Maximin Grünhauser (Von
Schubert) Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett. Big citric acids, but the
sweetness (this is just offdry, but certainly noticable) perfectly
balances the tartness. Limes, peach, lime, apple, lime. A limesicle!
Revisited on Friday it was less aggressively acidic, but still vibrant
and flavorful. A slately minerality more noticeable on day 2. I like a
lot. A-/B+

Friday was a snowy day that turned into a weird freezing rain, Betsy
was working and I made a cassoulet-ish dish with 2 Italian sausages
and a duck leg from freezer. I had a glass of the Herrenberg, and then
nursed two small glasses of the 2005 Ch. d'Oupia Minervois through
dinner and through evening (I was shoveling driveway periodically, but
also watching consumption in case she decided to take train home and I
needed to drive to station). I've loved this wine in the past, and
heard very good things re the '05, but this didn't do a lot for me.
Black fruit, good acidity, tannins firm but ripe. Actually having
trouble understanding WHY I didn't love it- just seemed flat (despite
noticable acidity). Revisited tonight it was a bit more interesting,
which destroys my theory of low-level cork taint. Still, while
certainly acceptable, this wine gets a B/B- from me, low compared to
previous vintages.

Today was beautiful, but after shoveling all day (besides by personal
stuff and office, 3 vans and helping a neighbor get his car out ) I
was wiped. Betsy was working matinee and evening, so I grabbed some
rabbit and made coniglio alla Reggiana (bunny with vegetable and
wine). I used the 2005 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis for the recipe,
though later when it looked dry I added some of the Minervois. The
Arneis was its usual lovely self. Sweet Bosc pear fruit framed with
lively acidity, that almond nuttiness I associate with Northern
Italian whites, an almost Chablis like minerality. I really like this
wine. Still sipping, will update if it gets worse.
B+/A-

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.