Preparing for the UK

Weingut Leth
Grüner Veltliner Scheiben 2010
Wagram, Austria
Yellow apples...fine injection of acidity....spends time in oak barrels....some tobacco...ripply minerals...will improve...and at € 15,-- one more good reason why I praise Austrian whites
Points 17







This is the last post for two weeks as I am off to see my mum in the UK.
The restaurant on the ship from Rotterdam to Hull has a poor wine list...so I have purchased 2 half- bottles to take into the restaurant for both the two trips.
Also...I have ordered some wines from UK Merchants and they are now at my mum's place.
As we plan to eat out a lot...I will be taking some of the wines along.
Yes...I know it is a habit of mine...but if some restaurants insist on buying boring wines....listing no vintages etc...then it is a
solution to the problem. The North-West area is not reknowned for good wine lists!

The wines are:
Skillogalee Wines Clare Valley Riesling 2010 Australia
Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2009 New Zealand
Stonier Chardonnay 2009 Australia
Chard Farm Mata-au Pinot Noir 2009 New Zealand
Burn Cottage Pinot Noir 2009 New Zealand

and of course...the 2009 version of
Crystallum Pinot Noir Cuvee Cinema, South Africa
The 2010 had been impressive...

PLUS
I am taking in the car...a bottle of white Austrian and a bottle of German Spätburgunder...just in case I get withdrawal symptoms!!

My Style Of Wines

I have stated before, many times, that my favourite whites come from Austria...and reds...from Germany.
If you want proof...here four bottles tasted, enjoyed and divulged over the past few days.

Erwin Sabathi Sauvignon Blanc
Merveilleux 2009
South Styria, Austria
Pure gloss on opening...intense flinty, nutty, spiky minerals, salty, loved this at once....and I give these wines 24 hours...next day...still very good...but the baby-fat was gone...pity...
needs time...
Points 17.25









F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner
Smaragd Loibner Berg 2002
Wachau, Austria
I purchased this bottle on Ebay along with the same vintage 'M'....both for € 60,--
Was there a reason the seller was offering it?....one way to find out. My wife had cooked some fish in a mustard sauce.
Colour...pale gold...hope for me then. Nose...gorgeous...stone fruits, citrus, apricots...some petrol....a Grüner for Riesling drinkers!





No sign of age...vanilla, pepper, still with a thrilling dose of minerals...I may be going over the top...and it may be a wine for the advanced drinker ( after 35 years I belong in that group)...
If this is good...then the 'M' should be excellent as well.
Points 18


...and so to the reds....and a property not tried before.
Not available on any merchant's list...so I emailed them over Xmas...and waited and waited. The middle of January I received an apology...saying they had been on holiday.
I ordered the two below and asked if they also had an odd bottle of the 2009 Marienthaler Trotzenberg which showed out-of-stock on their list.
I heard no more...until a 6-pack arrived with the invoice. In this day and age of payment up front (which I understand being in business)....it is refreshing that someone trusts someone. The money was transferred next day....which is part of the essential ritual to keep the trust chain going.


Paul Schumacher
Patience Spätburgunder 2009
Ahr, Germany
Lazy showing on opening...but give this an hour and you will be rewarded.
Medium colour....super aromas of forest berries and some cherry...great balance here...sweet Pinot fruit with a touch of cream....
Patience on the label...but this is enticing now...but...I gave it 'patience' and drank the rest next day...still in great form.
Love the style...
Points 17.5



Paul Schumacher
Walporzheimer Kräuterberg Spätburgunder 2009
Ahr, Germany
Explosion of soft, oaky vanilla....smokey...a little tight on day one. A few squirts of gas, pop in the cork....into the fridge....next day...take it out 2 hours before drinking...out with the cork.
The gas seems to help...but my guess is the wine would have needed the air anyway. Nose more complex...palate earthy, vibrant acidity, crackly tannins...this is a real pleasure.
Points 17.75




Drink the Patience now and over the next two years...and try this again in 2014

La Hermitage & Ebay

The photo shows Paul Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 1978
If you think I am going to post a note on this half-bottle...wrong. Why is it here?....read on.
Our wine group met up a couple of weeks ago...and one of the wines I had brought along was the bigger sized normal bottle.
It was good...but we thought not great. I mentioned I had 3 half-bottles still and Robert (with his Wine-Merchant hat on) suggested I sell one.
Ebay...here I come. Seven days later...it was sold...€ 400,--! Thank you Mr. Parker...the phrase ''100 Parker Points'' obviously still has swing.
I mentioned to the group that if I sold it...I would take them out for a meal...and so it was that we ended up at La Fattoria...a Restaurant near Frankfurt.
I ordered a taxi for five people...Steffi, Volker, Robert, my wife & I.
We arrived to be greeted by Chester the owner and the head waiter Agnello.
The restaurant offers a long list of what is available on the day...but there is also the main menu card. Volker wanted to see the menu card....opened his glasses case...to find he had forgotten them. His wife gave him a quick run-down...but then he was forced to concentrate as Chester reeled off the daily goodies.
Needless to say...everything we ate...starters...second starters...and main courses...were all super.










































































































































I had taken the wines along the day before...and had asked Agnello to open them all at 6pm.

The white...covered up as were all of them...was to convince Robert that there is a Sylvaner of top class to be had....
Zehnthof Luckert Silvaner * * * 2009
Franken, Germany
Like a mix of Riesling and maybe some Grüner Veltliner. Put some Burgundy in the mix and you will describe this wine perfectly. Just a beautiful nose....a trace of cream...honey...compact...the flavour just melts in the mouth...that 'classy' Burgundy feel again...but...this is Silvaner! And what a Silvaner! There are spices to combat that cream...and a minerality to add to it's pluses. As perfect as it can get with the grape. None better has passed my lips.
Points 18...THE BEST SILVANER EVER TASTED


After choosing the three reds for the evening...I realized that they had all been Ebay purchases! Strange as the wine that was paying for the meal had ended up there.








Heger Ihringer Winklerberg
Spätburgunder *** 2004
Baden, Germany
I had called the property a day before to ask what the wine was tasting like. The lady on the phone said she would go into the cellar and ask Joachim Heger and then call me back. The call came...'Fantastic' was the reply.
Slightly musty at first...but it opened to show roasted aromas...wild red fruit...perfect now...marzipan on the palate...and a lingering acidity of finesse that holds it together.
Will still hold a few years...but we caught this one just right...
Points 17.5


Brunel Chateauneuf-du-Pape,
Les Cailloux 1998
Rhône, France
Animals...wild...smokey...that lovely old sweet musky smell that I have missed over recent years in CdP. Almost pinot-like with strawberry and cherry fruit rising from the glass. Perfect integrated acidity...sweet palate...with some liquorice and those dusty tannins that appeal.
Points 17.5







Antinori Pian delle Vigne
Brunello di Montalcino 1997
Toscana, Italy.
In hindsight we should have drank this before the above two...as it was tighter with dry tannins. The nose was very aromatic...spices...leather...cherries...and the palate craved for food...which it got.
Certainly good but a long decant or a few years more would soften it. We certainly didn't refuse it...just that the first two were more open.
Points 17




Five happy people set off home...thank you Paul Jaboulet!

Austrian Trio

In a perfect world I would be drinking Austrian whites and German Spätburgunder...so I guess the world is perfect at the moment!

Walter Skoff
Sauvignon Blanc Royal 2009
South Styria, Austria
Exotic aromas...lychees...tobacco and vanilla...sweet biscuits...it defies the 14.5% alcohol...sparkling diamonds....roast nuts...minerals...Walter Skoff is known as Mr. Sauvignon Blanc and one can see, and taste...why. I didn't hurry this...and it helped...this opened and developed over 3 days.
Points 17.75





Erwin Sabathi
Pössnitzberg Sauvignon Blanc 2009
South Styria, Austria
Smokey...minerals....chalky soil...exotic...good acidity...the Limited 111 is my favourite from this property...but this is very good.
Points 17.5



What I don't miss in most Austrian Sauvignon Blanc...the absence of cat's pee...or extreme gooseberry. A step up from those New Zealand examples of years gone by.


Domaine Wachau Smaragd Axpoint
Grüner Veltliner 2009
Wachau, Austria
Suffered a little after the two Sauvignon Blanc. This has fresh, zippy acidity....dark pepper...some tobacco...and will benefit from bottle age.
Points 17

Great South African Pinot

I have always steered clear of South African wines...there have been exceptions...but most have been over-done.
As this had been recommended...and my quest for good Pinot Noir is never ending...I searched the net for a German merchant who had the 2009 vintage. I 'found' it....ordered...checked the item number...'2009'...and waited for the 3 bottles.
A few days later and I was pulling open the package to be presented with...yes...you've guessed it...the 2010 vintage!!
I contacted the merchant and was told that they only had the 2010 now...then why oh why...don't you change your website!!!
I was offered a small rebate and decided to keep the wines rather that send them back. Next step...try one...so that I would calm down. And so it was.. a few days later...that I popped the cork on this wine
Crystallum Pinot Noir
Cuvée Cinema 2010
Walker Bay, South Africa
The aroma...well...pure Pinot...and a smile from me. Bingo...there are sometimes positives in negatives. Strawberry and cherry followed...very enticing. The smell dragged me into the glass. There are tannins...but so velvety...and the fruit has a delicious acidity as partner.Juicy fruit...mouth filling...I could have emptied the bottle...but a few sprays from my gas bottle...and in the fridge...it was tasted again next evening. Still all there...even fuller maybe. The wine spends 10 months in barrel...but this is no overdone, overoaked example. It is the future for South Africa,
Points 18
PS. ..I am off to the UK in a few weeks...and checking a merchant there...found he has 5 bottles of the 2009 and a single bottle of 2008. They are ordered and
will be transported back to Germany...personally.

Baden Sun & Vitamin D

With the wind and the rain and the storms and the cold....I do need to start taking those Vitamin D tablets again....to get me through the winter months without the sun. Three wines from an area of Germany that boast the most hours of sunshine....Baden.

Hofgut Consequence
Blauer Spätburgunder 2007 ***
Baden, Germany
Probably no longer available. When I was there Eva Maria Schmidt explained that the property was now owned by Abril...another property a few doors down...since 1 January 2010. There was a new building being built on the outskirts of Vogtsburg-Bischoffingen. Her husband Manfred was now in charge of the grapes. So the wines with the Hofgut Consequence label were the last. I purchased 3 bottles of the top wine mentioned here. The style is very much easy Pinot that encourages big mouthfuls of the strawberry fruit. Great vintage...and at four years old just about ready to go. Tasty....and one can only hope Manfred Schmidt chooses well for the new project. The winemaking will be done by Sebastian Faber & Armin Süttler.
A snip at € 18,--
Points 17




R & C SchneiderSpätburgunder
Parzelle Schönenberg 2006
Baden, Germany
I purchased a few bottles of this after trying the 2005...and hearing that it was even better in this vintage. Well...I have tried them over a 2 year period...trying to give it all my love in the hope that it will give something back. One bottle is left and I think Ebay calls for this lady. She has never shown a sexy side...no seduction...and I can't see it changing much. The nose is slightly raw...and the fruit just ordinary...a puzzle. If it had been one bottle I would have put it down to a bad-un...but every time I have been left wanting. Next wine please...
Points 16.....






Schloss Staufenberg
Durbacher Schlossberg
Spätburgunder trocken 2009
Baden, Germany
If you want to buy direct from this property...it is up a winding road with room for one vehicle(and you just hope a bus carrying tourists doesn't decided to appear round the corner)...to the top of the hill overlooking Durbach.......park your car...and walk up round to the 'castle'. You will be rewarded with a sensational view...and some good 'Flammenkuchen' in the restaurant. This is the top red...and the 2009 vintage was on offer. Was it worth the trouble?...hey...after the Parzelle I needed reassurance. What the 2009 vintage offers is a perfect package. From start to finish you have the great vintage feel. Ripe and forward...sweet fruit...rounded...a soft bristling tannin layer...which held it up for a day later...nice.
Points 16.75

The Power of Zelt

Zelt Laumersheimer Kirschgarten
Spätburgunder Spätlese trocken 2009 Pfalz, Germany
Took this along to a local eatery and popped the cork...and an hour later...poured a glass. A little bit shocked...cos if you expect a gentle Pinot then you are going to have to wait. Loads of dark red fruit...intense...brooding even. The Weingut is across the way from the top property Knipser...and is a tip for anyone looking for real value. It remiinded me more of Knipser's Cabernet's than a sultry Pinot. I tried the Großkarlbacher Burgweg Spätburgunder 2008 in May this year...which was very drinkable...but this is a step upwards...and at € 23,-- there is a lot of wine here. Ripe cherries...fine but still firm tannins...quite complex...and has potential
Points 17....but give it time

Leftovers and Favourite Grapes

Over a couple of days I have been eating the Xmas leftovers...still delicious.
As the year closes...I can only reiterate...my favourite white grape is Grüner Veltliner...and my favourite red...wait for it...yes...you guessed...Pinot Noir.

Emmerich Knoll Smaragd Schütt
Grüner Veltliner 2009
Wachau, Austria
For a Knoll...this is layed-back...I always expect a voluptuous wine. Herby and some tobacco on the nose...yellow fruits...glossy on the palate...velvety... already approchable....
Points 17.25










H.J. Kreuzberg Spätburgunder
Ahrweiler Silberberg GG 2009
Ahr, Germany
The 'first division' group of properties in the Ahr are Adeneuer, Deutzerhof, Meyer-Näkel and Stodden. The 'second division' probably comprises Burggarten, Nelles and Kreuzberg. There are a few more that could make a name for themselves....but unlike Baden & Pfalz...there seems to be very few 'finds' in this area. Surely in one of the best red wine areas in Germany there should be a whole host of new growers making a name for themselves. We will see... This is practically a 100% red wine property...with Spätburgunder comprising of 70%...and Ludwig Kreuzberg is improving year by year. Heading for the first division maybe. They have plots in Neuenahrer Schieferlay und Sonnenberg, Ahrweiler Silberberg und Dernauer Pfarrwingert. The 2009 vintage promises to maybe even surpass 2004 & 2006...so I was excited about trying this GG...albeit very young. Hoppla...as I caught the first whiff...a bit special. New oak...creamy...ripe forest fruit, cherry...tannins firm but approachable. Very good. After an hour the wine closed up...showing it's youth...so...best tip for anyone here...pop in the cork...and try next evening. Twenty-four hours later...out with the cork and it all started over again... but now the palate was rounder...quite thick cherry fruit with a minerality that made a package to enjoy. I like this...and will try to keep the other bottle hidden...very enticing though.
Points 17.75