A bit of a tense weekend, it's hard to be far away with an ill parent (we're going down at end of week). But routine is healing for me, and that includes taking notes on wine.
With skirt steak with a chipotle marinade, and a brocolli/chevre salad, the 2007 Rimbert "LEs Travers de Marceau " St. Chinian. Pleasant medium bodied red, cherry and raspberry fruit with just a little bit of a jammy edge, but actually quite bright acidity. Light tannins, fresh, drinking well. B/B+
As an apertif, the 2007 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Kabinett. Apples, citrus, flowers, great length, maybe a tad shut down on nose but otherwise generous. B++
With herbed lamb chops and squash, the 2006 Havens Bourriquot (Napa) from 375. A little reticent, opens with some time, big black fruit with a little tobacco leaf greenness, and just a hint of dung. As it open the fruit takes forefront, some medium tannins, good acids for Napa. B
With grilled chicken in tandoori spices and an eggplant/feta/olive salad, the 2007 Maximim Grunhauser (von Schubert) Riesling QbA (#32- do they make that many?). Tart lemonade, an herbal bitters note, serious acids. I really quite like this, but those looking for a sweet and easy QbA might be less enthused. Actually does very well with a difficult match. 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.