Tuesday I roasted a chicken with potatoes and carrots, served the 2001 Ch. Potensac (Medoc). Medium-bodied, sweet cassis and black plum fruit. Tannins are a tad gritty, but as evening progresses they smooth out. This isn't a blockbuster, but a ripe rather classic Bordeaux with a little oak spice and decent length. Not a wine to especially search out, but at end of evening I'll be damned if bottle was empty. Good sound claret for $14. B/B+
Wednesday I discovered a local Rotary club had had a minor communications disaster, and no one was set to deliver suits to a bunch of homeless guys having job interviews. So had to do myself. Not much time for dinner first, I threw some chicken breasts in a pan for a quick sautee and made a white wine sauce. I had a glass of the cooking wine with dinner. The 2006 Giesen Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough). Not especially long, a lighter styled SB with gooseberry and citrus fruit, a bit of grass. Acceptable for $8.xx B/B-
When I returned from city, I contemplated the SB but felt more like red. Opened the 2005 Clos de Roilette (Coudert) Fleurie and had a glass. Bigger and denser than the 2002 & 2004 vintages that I so enjoy. It's more tannic than I expected, and while I enjoy it I'm not wowwed. However.......Thursday I had a crazy day (funeral, etc) that happily culminated with picking up Betsy at Newark airport. We called in a pizza order from the road, and with our sausage/onion/mushroom pie went into the 2005 Coudert Fleurie. NOW this is singing. Vibrant acidity, the tannins still present but less bothersome- now just providing some background structure. Big cherry fruit with a tinge of cranapple, some mineral and earth, good length. A-/B+, solid A for value.
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.