Tuesday we ate dinner separately, I was taking her nephew to violin lessons while Betsy was leading a meditation group. I had leftover mulligatawny soup with the 2009 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett (AP#7, just says Rausch on front label, but we know that is in Saarburg). Big for Saar Kabinett but impeccably balanced, deep and long. Citrus, slate, and floral aromas. B+/A-
Thursday I cooked dinner while she taught. We had missed meatless Monday, so I did stirfried tofu w/ginger/garlic, mushrooms ( trumpet royal plus brown and yellow clamshells) in duck fat, and a broccoli/soba dish. I used the mushrooms as an excuse to open the 2001 Chandon de Briailles "Ile Des Vergelesses" Pernand-Vergelesses. A recent acquistion, more mature and less fresh than I'd anticipated, a little browning on edge. Cherry fruit, mushrooms, good acidity. Not at all bad, just a little tired. Not sure this is a representative bottle . B-
Friday she made a seafood stew (snapper, clams, scallops) and I opened the 2005 Pieropan Calvarino Soave Classico. I actually thought this also was a little tired at first, but some initial hints of oxidation seemed to disappear, leaving a full-bodied wine with lemon, almond, and floral notes. Medium acids, stony mineral finish. 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.