Tuesday we had lemon sole, bok choy, and red cabbage (hey, cabbage 2
ways). Wine was the 2009 Matrot Bourgogne Blanc. I only had a half
glass due to driving - found it tight, soft, with a little matchstick.
Went to the city to meet a group of college students and give out some
stuff to those in need, drove back through snowstorm. Decided I'd have
a midnight glass to relax. Sulfury edge was gone, had opened up, but I
still didn't love. Classic pear/apple Chardonnay fruit with a little
hint of oak, but softer acids than my wont. Decent Bourgogne, but not
the "baby Meursault" I hope for with Matrot, and this won't be my
normal multiple bottle buy. B-

Wednesday was all snow shoveling and work, when I got home I looked
forward to the short rib with horseradish broth Betsy had prepared
(with potatoes and salad). I went to grab a red, ended up with the
1996 Dominio de Conte Rioja Reserva. I had purchased this because I
read it was a traditional producer, which is usually my preference in
Rioja. I think in this case some tradtions should pass. There's a dill
note that I assume is traditional American oak, but this wine is
mostly about VA, very ripe plums (actually a few maybe fell off tree
and started rotting on ground), and (welcome) dilution. With some time
a bit of ashtray emerged. Bad storage or bad wine? C-

Tonight striped bass with an avocado sauce along with leftover
vegetables, and the 2009 AJ Adam Hofberg Kabinett. Spatlese sweetness/
body, white pit fruit with a touch of citrus, floral, hint of spice.
Works great with the food, though on it's own I'd prefer it to have a
touch less honied sweetness. Still, excellent wine. 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.