Tuesday was very hot for April. I spatchcocked a chicken, which then sat with some Greek-esque spices for a while, then was rubbed with olive oil, garlic, and lemon before grilling. Wine was the Ch. d'Oupia Minervois rose, which played its role well. Strawberry and raspberry fruit with a light bitter edge, good acidity, nice finish. Definitely not for those seeking fruit as a primary goal. Pondering this wine I realized that the very light bitter edge is pretty common among pinks I like. Good value. B/B+
Wednesday Betsy was at NYU for the VOX showcase, I visited a very ill employee at Harlem Hospital then headed downtown to meet her. We dined at Apiary, quickly becoming one of my favorite NYC restaurants. She chose the appetizer special I had last time (house-cured citrus salmon topped with a soft poached egg and trout roe), I had the excellent sweetbreads. She had Chatham cod with a tapenade, while my main was skate on a bed of razor clam chowder with lots of bacon. We also had Brussels sprouts. Wine was off the list, the 2006 Dureuil-Janthial "Maizieres" Rully (very fairly priced at $42). This is a nice white Burgundy that is drinking well now, and paired well with both the sweetbreads and the skate. Bosc pear fruit with a citric edge, some vanillin oak but not overpowering, really excellent length for a village (I think, don't think this is 1er) Rully. Good crispness, big for appellation, I quite enjoyed. 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.