After watching this group for a couple of years, my wife finally left town. Finding the inch and quarter thick lamb chops she left me, I went downstairs thinking shiraz but came upstairs with a Pomerol -- 2000 Chateau de la Marechaude. My tag said to wait but somehow today seemed right. I don't know if I decanted or carafed half of the bottle but I saved the other half for another day and lit the grill.
Initial nose was not atypical with good fruit and a hint of the pencil shaving smell I love in Bordeaux. My initial taste while grilling is solid fruit, light to medium acid, and meat and spice. When I sit down to dinner, it seems more acidic and a rather short finish. Not what I had hoped for. Happily, by the end of the meal the acid is starting to subside again, pencil shaving is back, still the meat and spice, and the finish lengthens.
I'm pretty junior compared to the expertise of this group, not age, but I'm pleased at the $13 purchase price and though an easy and inconsistent grader, rate this a solid B tonight.