Monday Betsy made roast chicken with mushroom/leek "stuffing" (from new
Cook's Illustrated, the chicken is butterflied and draped over the
stuffing, highly recommended method). We had the 1998 Rigau Ros Gran
Reserva (Costa Brava). Lots of oak, but pretty decent warm red fruit.
Enough acidity to keep it lively. A followup glass next day had some
earth and cocoa aromas. This was a gift from a friend, but
winesearcher.com has it as about $12. OK value for quercusphiles, but
too much oak for me. B-

Tuesday we opened with warm weather, then temps plunged. By afternoon
we had snow and 50 mph winds. Of course, I had to drive stepson to
appointments. After final appointment, dropped him at band practice and
came home to fix myself some leftovers. Opened a 375 of 1996 Talbot
(St. Julien). Ripe plummy fruit, some leather and espresso notes. A bit
low-acid, but not flabby. I was about to try glass 2, when David
called. His bandmate's mom wouldn't let him drive in snow, would I pick
him up in an hour? Oh well - one glass is plenty for snow driving. So
bottle was recorked, and revisited on Wednesday evening . Much
earthier, more saddle leather and tobacco. A bit more oxidized than I
expected. A B+, but unlike most '96 Medocs not looking like a long-term
ager (at least in half).

Before going to work Wednesday evening, Betsy made a vegetarian dinner-
red lentil dal (with sweet potato), "bright rice" (rice and chickpeas
with turmeric, cinnamon, mustard seeds, etc), steamed red chard with
butter, & a cucumber/cilantro raita. Recently noted someone suggested
white Rhones with Indian food, tried the 2001 Campuget Blanc
(Costi=E8res de N=EEmes). Pleasant surprise from this $4 wine- on the
light side, but nice floral nose and some apple/peach fruit. Good
acidity for a wine from the South, I'll buy more for a cooking/party
wine. 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