Takeout Chinese before a board meeting, but when I got home Betsy had saved me a bit of seaweed and sashimi from her dinner, so seemed a good time for a half bottle of the 2008 Huet Le Mont Vouvray Demi-sec. I was worried this might be closed, but it was quite open and giving. Really striking acidity, moderate sweetness keeps it from being tart, citrus, honey, and wax. Excelllent length, of course young but really quite delicious. A-
Wednesday I made braised spiced chicken legs, Betsy did some Brussels sprouts when she got home, and we had a half bottle of the 2005 Lopez de Heredia "Cubillo" Crianza, Based on last time, I decanted well in advance, and I think it helped a lot. Red fruits and herbs, fresh acidity, snappy. Very nice. B+
Cooking (and later sipping) wine was the 2009 Iche "Les Heretiques" (VdP l'Herault). I crave variety and therefore don't have a "house wine," but if I did this would be an annual contender, I guess my favorite $8-9 red. Dark juicy fruit, earth and just a hint of barnyard, friendly and refreshing. Fine value. 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.