Friday Betsy made turkey stuffed with goat cheese and spinach, but left for dress of Pirates of Penzance before I got home. I had leftover whites (Bourgogne and Riesling) with dinner, but felt like a red afterwards. I opened the 2004 Ch. d'Issan (Margaux), my first 2004 Bordeaux. Nose of berries and flowers, good ripe blackcurrant and black cherry fruit. With time some elements of spice and cedar. Tannins are ripe and well-integrated, acidity is enough to keep it lively. Tasted again tonight, the fruit has a light licorice edge, and a bit of smoke, nice balanced wine. The downside of this wine is that it is a bit short to qualify as top-notch Bordeaux, but I think this will be a welcome companion at the dinner table for the short to mid term. B+
Tonight we had an early dinner before she headed to city. Pierre Franey's basil/pinenut stuffed scallops, mushroom rice, and brocolli- rabe/pea dish. I went with the 2002 Bouchard "Le Clous" Meursault. Good for village level, a bit fat but not flabby, toast and butterscotch over Bosc pear fruit. Maybe a little thin in the middle, but ok for mid-$20s. B
Over 4 nights the 2002 Huet Le Haut Lieu Vouvray (from 375) showed fairly well. Some oxidative notes, but strangely never got worse. Baked apple Betty with honied apricot notes, lively acidity, long finish. 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.