Betsy was schedled to go to Boston Friday, but decided to leave after
dinner Thursday* to beat snow. We had a quick dinner of leftover
Bolognese and some broccoli rabe. I opened the 2005 La Vieille Ferme
(Cotes du Ventoux). Usual dependable self, light blackberry and
raspberry fruit, a balanced acidity, low tannin, easy to drink. Not
long or complex, but certainly a decent buy at around $7. B-/B

When I came in Friday I eyed the mostly full bottle of LVF. But after
a tough work day and lots of shoveling, I felt I needed to reward
myself a little. I had beef braciole in a tomato sauce, but instead of
Italian went French. The 1999 Grand Mayne (St Emilion GCC) seemed thin
and acidic when opened, but that was just because it was too cold. As
it warmed it seemed quite low acid. A friendly slurpable fairly modern
St. Em, warm black plum and currant fruit, a little lead pencil, some
toasty oak notes. Holds up pretty well, on Saturday it had a bit of a
cigarbox note, though there was still a hint of light vanilla oak.
Definitely shows as Bordeaux, but in a slightly "international" style.
B+

On Saturday as I did a fridge leftover sweep, besides the St. Emilion
I opened the 2005 Strub Niersteiner Gruner Veltliner Kabinett Feinherb
(Rheinhessen), my first non-Austrian GV. I always confused by
"feinherb,"but expected something along the lines of a halbtrocken-
some RS, but you really have to look for it. Well, the sugar was a bit
more obvious here- I'd say "normal' Kabinett (not that far from
Spatlesen of yore). I think the surprise of the sweetness obscured the
GVness of this at first, I'd certainly have guessed Riesling blind.
Peach and yellow plum, a little floral note. When I really concentrate
there's a more characteristic white pepper note. Nice wine, but I
think I'm happier with fully dry Austrian GV. 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.