A Birthday Bash

And so to another Birthday.....I've been a '60 something' for a few years now...my mispent youth was in the Beatles' years...they even wrote a song about my age....'When I grow older, losing my hair (still got plenty)...many years from now....will I still be drinking German Pinot Noir'...or at least...that should have been the lyric!
Family & Friends...we met up to eat, drink, be merry...and in my case...suffer the next day.
The wines...well...a white of my favourite grape nowadays...another white from Italy...my favourite Sauvignon Blanc...and then 4 German Pinots from the excellent 2007 Vintage
Willi Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Alte Rebe 2005
Niederösterreich, Austria
Rich 'old vine' nose...white melon...ripe apples..still steely...grew in glass...even 2 hours after opening
Points 16.25






Vie di Romans Piere Sauvignon 2005
Friaul, Italy
Showing age I thought...but it can't be...then the reason...not a definite 'cork'...but most definitely 'tainted'. Something had fallen into this one...and ruined any total enjoyment. Strangely...if I had pulled the only other bottle I have from my cellar...we would no doubt we waxing lyrically about it.
Points...not scored




The block of four reds were planned...the first 3 had all received the same 'marks' in Gault Millau...
Hartmut Schlumberger Spätburgunder S 2007
Baden, Germany
I had tried the top wine a few days ago....this was slightly jammy...not a negative in these basic wines...smokey...lots of juice...and backbone...
Points 16







Weingut Schumacher Garten Spätburgunder 2007
Pfalz, Germany
Medium deep...gentle sweet strawberry...and the earthy style of the Pfalz. Some tasters rated this one higher...other prefered the Schlumberger. The price would swing it...this costs € 19,--
Points 16





Weingut Michel Achkarrer Schlossberg Spätburgunder *** 2007
Baden, Germany
At €19,-- this was the winner of the three...complex nose...elegant...touch of vanilla...and a good backbone...I have tried this before and it was no surprise to see it do well.
Points 16.75




The last wine was a Großes Gewächs.
Phillip Kuhn Steinbuckel Grosses Gewächs Pinot Noir 2007
Pfalz, Germany
Cherry fruit...a slab of marzipan on the palate...backward, compared to all the others...but give it a year or two...real pedigree
Points 17.25