As I gradually recover from a nasty virus, wine is slowly making it's way back into my diet. Saturday I was still feeling a bit under the weather, but managed to open a bottle of the 2003 St. Urbans-Hof Riesling QbA. I loved the '01 of this, really liked the '02. This one is decent though not up to the standards of its predeccessors. Though this doesn't come across as fat, it does come across as very sweet. Fruit mostly in the ripe tropical family, just a hint of the lime zest & minerals that made the previous vintages great values. B/B-
Sunday I was feeling better, and volunteered to make dinner as Betsy was playing in afternoon. A good day to spend in the yard, and to give the grill it's spring cleaning. I marinated some loin lamb chops in an onion/cumin paste, made some tzatziki, and fixed a salad. When Betsy came home the chops and some asparagus went on the grill, and then we enjoyed our first patio meal since October. The wine was the 2001 Pontet-Canet (Pauillac) from 375. It had an hour in the glass before dinner. When poured it was tight and tannic, but the hour made all the difference. Nose of blackcurrants, blackberries, and a little spicy oak. On the palate the tannins were still rather stern, but the lush cassis flavors (and the rare lamb) made them unobtrusive. Lovely wine, just what one would want from a young reasonably priced ($15 for 375) Pauillac. Lots of mid-term potential - last little bit was developing some leather/tobacco notes. A-/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