My turn to cook Sunday while Betsy was playing, rack of lamb was on
sale so I got one to cut into (mostly) double chops. A garlic/parsley/
rosemary marinade, then I was ready to grill. Unfortunately the clouds
turned to rain 5 minutes before I was going to start grill, so I
resorted to the no-turn in a skillet broiler method. Not quite
grilling, but good, and the chops were enjoyed with broccoli, leftover
quinoa, and salad.

Wine was the 2001 Ch. Giscours (Margaux). I wasn't especially
expectant going in- a glass someone gave me last year was tight,
light, and tannic. I gave this 90 minutes in decanter before dinner,
turned out as a nice wine. Medium-bodied, ripe tannins present but not
intrusive, very floral nose. Dominant fruit is blackcurrant, but as it
opened in glass more of a crushed cherries aspect dancing on top. At
opening the oak is a little high for my taste, more vanilla-driven
than my wont. With time in decanter a more cedary edge that I find
more attractive. There's a little tobacco and earth. I would think
this will improve over the short-term, I'm marking 2010-2015 as my
drinking targets for remaining bottles. 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.