You would think I never drank Italian wines...and to be honest...they have been scarce on the blog. After the previous post of matching other wines with the food...here I am again.....same theme. The reason for our visit to 'Restaurant Ambiente'...was for our regular meetings..where I bring the wines..and Robert & Volker comment, guess, praise..and slurp. Good Italian food with an Austrian, Spanish & German Wine. I'll have Signor Berlusconni chasing me soon... 
Willi Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner
Käferberg 2008
Kamptal, Austria
This one had them struggling to define...white Chateauneuf-du-Pape...which I could identify with...has that same style and feel...but what gets this plus points is that lively, mineraly, smokiness. The nose offers tropical fruit with some honey...then the slightly peppery entry on the palate...just lies so beautifully on the tongue...is multi-layered with interest...very good indeed..and could age well. Perfect marriage with the marinated Salmon.
Points 17.25
Two reds followed....covered with lovely tin foil..and a casual remark to the waiter..'serve the Chilean first followed by the German'....(you can't give these guys any help and anyway...part of my clues was correct....but as you will see..they didn't believe the 2nd one)
Bodegas Pinord +7 2006 Priorat, Spain
This spends 12 months in oak...the mix is Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah. Very good intense nose...loads of Spanish character...full and quite complex...and a soft mouthful....it was very good...Robert guessed Rhone grapes.. which is partly correct...Volker pinpointed Priorat....which
was very good...they are getting better these two... Points 16.5
and it would have stayed longer in the memory if not for the second wine.
Knipser Cuvee X 2003
Pfalz, Germany
The reason I have this wine...I was in a restaurant on the Mosel..and had ordered a half-bottle of Lynch-Bages 2005. The waitress said it was sold out...so I ordered the only other half of red on the list. I hardly took a second look as she opened and poured. The glass to the nose and my words were...''Sie haben doch den Lynch-Bages gefunden?'' (You found the Lynch-Bages?)..
.it was impressive on that evening..so back home I bought 3 bottles...2 have gone...pre-blog days..or made no notes. Anyway...here we are with the last bottle..and that 'wow' affect. Gorgeous nose..intense red and black berries...absolutely perfect...classic & elegant on the palate..perfect balance..no signs of the hot vintage.... This Bordeaux blend would knock some of the top Chateau to one side in a tasting...This spends 28 months in French oak..spices and smoke..and some tobacco. Ready..but nowhere near at the end....must buy some more..and also try the 2005....excellent. Points 17.75
Robert & Volker never had a chance....Mouton-Rothschild??
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