Alsace is where I drank my first Riesling wines...all those long years ago.
Trimbach, Zind-Humbrecht etc...bring back great memories.
Somehow, for me, Alsace was the home of Riesling
On my recent holiday in Rottach-Egern I had drank the 2008 version...and the restaurant kindly sold me a bottle to take away ( thinking it was the same vintage). On arriving home I saw the follow-on vintage...2009
Michel Fonne Riesling Mambourg Grand Cru 2009
Alsace, France
The vines are from a 35 years old vineyard.
The soil is sandstone. Just how I like them...temps you to go and have another glass.Dry, delicately grapey, and has an elegant bouquet with mineral and floral notes.
Points 17
Boxler Riesling Sommerberg JV 2009
Alsace, France
The JV stands for Jeunes Vignes...but no worries...this is delicious.
Citrus aroma...instantly appealing to me...apple pie.
Medium bodied, fresh and rich all in one. Another you look forward to sipping again. I have a couple of the properties flagship wines...and this is a very good 'starter'.
Points 17.25
Across the border into Baden...somewhere I seldom go to for Riesling.
Sven Nieger Riesling Mauerberg 2012
Baden, Germany
Salty...really...the minerals are dosed with it. Closed at first but developed body with airing. Still too young to maybe show all it's muscle. Apricots and apples...and the palate shows honey and soft spicy notes.
If you are tempted to try this...give is a good airing.
I purchased 3 bottles so the other 2 will rest awhile down south in the cellar.
Points 17.25
Time flies...and a month had past since the three of us had last covered up bottles to try at our local eatery.
A table in the garden had been reserved...and thankfully the heavy rain cleared to give us a medium warm summer evening.
I only live round the corner...which as it turned out...was a big plus.
Volker's wine we had opened and tasted by the time Robert arrived.
It had a closed metallic smell and a not too forthcoming flavour.
Domaine Pierre André Chateuaneuf-du-Pape Blanc
Rhone, France
It was better later with the food.
Maybe going through a stage of not wanting to be loved.
Robert arrived and his wine was tasted next.
While doing this I offered to go home and get another bottle as 'substitute'
for the Chateuaneuf-du-Pape Blanc.
Food was a Tapas plate.
Back in 10 minutes...I concentrated on Robert's offering.
Polish Hill Riesling 2013
Clare Valley, Australia
Now...you have to enjoy your moments of success in life...as around the corner...you are usually taken down a notch.
We guess the grape, country and so on.
Riesling I said, Robert nodded.
New World I said, Robert nodded
and I remember trying a version of this wine a few years ago.
Robert's look told me I was on to a winner.
Polish Hill I said and Robert nodded....then I made a guess at 2011 as it was very palatable.
2013 was the answer...you cannot be 100% correct Barry...and I enjoyed the compliments without overdoing it. Already the petrol tones are detectable. This is hovering at the moment...waiting to open and thrill you...minerals and slate. Lively...and not as austere as I remember previous vintages in their youth. Lovely.
Points 17.5 and potentially more...
I had insisted that my wine would be the last of the three whites...
Opened 2 hours before...
Hirtzberger Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel 2001
Wachau, Austria
A bargain from Ebay.
What an great smell...creamy stone fruits. Some petrol...and a touch of quince.
The guys just took ages to guess the vintage...which is completely understandable. The mineral veins wrap this up nicely. Without them you would be looking maybe at a dessert-style wine. Citrus acidity...peach palate...long finish. Very lovely.
Points 18.25
The red was also very good.
Kreuzberg Schieferlay Spätburgunder 2011
Ahr, Germany
Earthy, slate...tobacco on the palate.
Points 17.25
