With duck in red wine, sesame noodles, and beans, the 2005 Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil Cuvée Vieilles Vignes. I bought this based on positive notes re the producer from Gilman and just because Chambers Street carried it (in the Loire the latter holds great weight to me). Initially I found it simple and grapey. Then with dinner I couldn't make any judgements- Betsy had used a variant on the sesame noodle recipe in the NYT mag, using Szechuan peppercorns. Their tingly/numbing qualities made it hard to taste accurately , but I revisited the Bourgueil later that evening and again with burgers Wednesday. It had definitely shed the grapiness and developed deeper black cherry fruit, with accents of herbs and tobacco. Good ripeness and balanced acidity, but lacking the minerality and precision I've found in my favorite
2005 red Loires. Happy to drink it, but not especially looking for more. B
While paying bills and crunching numbers for colleges, a couple glasses of the 2005 Pinon "Cuvée Tradition" Vouvray. Moderately sweet, good firm acids, clean chalky finish. Apple and tangerine fruit, tasty and fun. Excellent value at $15ish. 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.