Over several nights, the 2002 Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling
Spatlese. Full texture, adequate though not bracing acidity, some red
cherry fruit mixing with apple and lime. A pleasant but not exciting
Riesling. B-/B

With a porterhouse, couscous, and leftover cabbage, the 2002 La Fleur
de Bouard (Lalande de Pomerol). I've generally been a fan of this
property, a nice example of modern style in the satellites, but this
was disappointing. Hard tannins and in-your-face oak, black plum
fruit. Charmless. Possibly an awkward period, but I'm happy not to
have more. B-/C+

Tonight I made a variation of sole meunier (with blood orange rather
than lemon), with leftover couscous and veggies. I opened the 2005
Belliviere "L'Effraie" Coteaux du Loir. Shock and awe! This is not
what I expected. The delicious 2004 was just the slightest bit off
dry, this is quite sweet. Big mango/papaya fruit, quince, a lanolin
note. Impressive and very good wine, but NOT what I wanted with sole.
A tentative B+/A-

Luckily I had a drier white nearby. The 2005 Paul Pernot Bourgogne
blanc is still a lovely wine for $15. Ripe Bosc and Comice pear, a
little butterscotchy note, floral. Mineral core, balanced acidity,
good length for level. Much better with my fish. B+

I'll sample these two as I watch the Final Four games tonight (go
Heels!!!).

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.

On Apr 5, 7:17�pm, DaleW > wrote:
> Over several nights, the 2002 Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling
> Spatlese. Full texture, adequate though not bracing acidity, �some red
> cherry fruit mixing with apple and lime. A pleasant but not exciting
> Riesling. B-/B
>
> With a porterhouse, couscous, and leftover cabbage, the 2002 La Fleur
> de Bouard (Lalande de Pomerol). I've generally been a fan of this
> property, a nice example of modern style in the satellites, but this
> was disappointing. Hard tannins �and in-your-face oak, black plum
> fruit. Charmless. Possibly an awkward period, but I'm happy not to
> have more. B-/C+
>
> Tonight I made a variation of sole meunier (with blood orange rather
> than lemon), with leftover couscous and veggies. I opened the 2005
> Belliviere �"L'Effraie" Coteaux du Loir. Shock and awe! This is not
> what I expected. The delicious 2004 was just �the slightest bit off
> dry, this is quite sweet. Big mango/papaya fruit, quince, a lanolin
> note. Impressive and very good wine, but NOT what I wanted with sole.
> A tentative B+/A-
>
> Luckily I had a drier white nearby. The 2005 Paul Pernot Bourgogne
> blanc is still a lovely wine for $15. Ripe Bosc and �Comice pear, a
> little butterscotchy note, floral. Mineral core, balanced acidity,
> good length for level. Much better with my fish. B+
>
> I'll sample these two as I watch the Final Four games tonight (go
> Heels!!!).
>
> 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.

Well, the game was certainly a disaster for me! The Belleviere
"L'Effraie" is quite the nice wine (if you don't try to eat with
delicate fish), probably the equivalent of an Auslese in weight and
sweetness. A big surprise after the 2004, but now I know what to
expect.