Friday was a snowy day that turned into a weird freezing rain, Betsy was working and I made a cassoulet-ish dish with 2 Italian sausages and a duck leg from freezer. I had a glass of the Herrenberg, and then nursed two small glasses of the 2005 Ch. d'Oupia Minervois through dinner and through evening (I was shoveling driveway periodically, but also watching consumption in case she decided to take train home and I needed to drive to station). I've loved this wine in the past, and heard very good things re the '05, but this didn't do a lot for me. Black fruit, good acidity, tannins firm but ripe. Actually having trouble understanding WHY I didn't love it- just seemed flat (despite noticable acidity). Revisited tonight it was a bit more interesting, which destroys my theory of low-level cork taint. Still, while certainly acceptable, this wine gets a B/B- from me, low compared to previous vintages.
Today was beautiful, but after shoveling all day (besides by personal stuff and office, 3 vans and helping a neighbor get his car out ) I was wiped. Betsy was working matinee and evening, so I grabbed some rabbit and made coniglio alla Reggiana (bunny with vegetable and wine). I used the 2005 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis for the recipe, though later when it looked dry I added some of the Minervois. The Arneis was its usual lovely self. Sweet Bosc pear fruit framed with lively acidity, that almond nuttiness I associate with Northern Italian whites, an almost Chablis like minerality. I really like this wine. Still sipping, will update if it gets worse.
B+/A-
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.
