Monday's burger in a local bistro was accompanied by a forgettably
sweet Rosenblum zin from the by the glass list. Tuesday Betsy was
teaching a chanting class, and I grilled a rack of lamb for myself.
Accompanied by green beans, salad, and a couple of glasses of the 2003
Ch. Villars (Fronsac). As I opened it, I poured a glass and then
sniffed - I got the weirdest smell- then realized I had garlic all over
my hands. After washing, I revisited and found a more normal, albeit
overripe, Bordeaux nose. Blackberry and cassis fruit, overlaid with a
bit of vanillin oak . Dense and concentrated on the palate. Big for the
appelation, though the tannins are ripe and tolerable, it is a little
too low-acid for my tastes. Retasted a bit later on Betsy's return,
the low-acidity and surmaturite notes were more prevalent. Retasted on
day 2 this was frankly a mess. This is ok as a restaurant wine with
maybe rare meat, but not a rebuy for me. B-/C+

Wednesday rain was threatening, but held off. A good thing as I was
trying to grill 4 lbs of Copper River salmon. Betsy's dad and nephew,
David and his girlfriend, and Betsy's 81 year old friend Gaby joined us
for dinner. In addition to the salmon, I grilled corn,and Betsy made a
green bean/tomato salad with a pistou dressing. I often serve PN with
salmon, but wanted something a little lighter to be served cool. So I
went with the 2004 Clos de la Roilette (aka Coudert) Fleurie. When I
first tried this I thought it not up to the 2002, though good. But a
few months has done this a world of good. Nose of wild strawberries,
cherries, and spring flowers. Clear bright palate of red fruit, a bit
of flinty mineral on the finish. Nice wine for summer. B+/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.