Every year...10 days 'me' time...
Friday 26 August
Friday 26 August
Arrived unpacked and a thai massage to relax the shoulders.
Evenings' choice...
Evenings' choice...
Tement Zieregg IZ Sauvignon Blanc 2008
South Styria, Austria
Nose
of gooseberry and lychee...slick minerals...soft nougat
sweetness...never ending pleasure here...someone wrote a wine for
experts...but even the normal folk would have to appreciate this goodie.
18.25
Food...
Saturday 27 August
An
annoying fly had kept me awake until midnight...altho...to be
honest...it may have been the cigar after the meal....but so nice to sit
out until 10pm after the meal.
With just a morcel to eat and
then a long walk to
Kappelrodeck. The plan was to stop over at a cafe...but it was closed as they had a wedding...so I continued homeward throught the vineyards.
Soup for lunch on the terrace...then plum tart and coffee along with a cohiba.
Kappelrodeck. The plan was to stop over at a cafe...but it was closed as they had a wedding...so I continued homeward throught the vineyards.
Soup for lunch on the terrace...then plum tart and coffee along with a cohiba.
Bettina...long standing
waitress...was asked to open my choice for the evening...one of the
wines I had brought with me. Four hours airing...
Wittmann Brunnenhäuschen Riesling 2011
Rheinhessen, Germany
Nose
of yellow fruit...and as always...the Wittmann minerality...this just
got better with air...trace of bitter grapefruit...lingering finish.
Very drinkable...but give it a few hours in the decanter.
17.75
Food...
Tomato Terrine and Kotelett
Sunday 28 August
Another
hot day....and a walk down the road to a cafe across from the
Winzergenossenschaft...then back through the lower vineyards...and a
soup for lunch...and a large glass of alcohol free beer.
Outside on the terrace...and we had a quick rain shower.
Keller Abts Riesling 2012
Rheinhessen, Germany
This
was the first vineyard purchased by the Kellers after much
investigation, but they showed super-human patience in the negotiations.
Consider that they bought their parcel way back in 1996 yet were forced
to wait nearly ten years for the current lease to end in 2005 before
they could produce a single bottle under their label.
Aroma of pears...freshly cut grass...and a touch of lemon.
Elegant with super salty minerality and bright acidity with very long finish. Pure...precise...perfection...
18.5
Monday 29 August
Cooler
today...and I had breakfast on the terrace. light lunch ...soup...at
cafe Glatt in Achern...then a walk to the sitting area above the
vineyards...
Had this wine a few times...
Ziereisen Jaspis Gutedel 10 Hoch 4 2011
Baden, Germany
Ziereisen Jaspis Gutedel 10 Hoch 4 2011
Baden, Germany
Repeat...repeat...like
a great White Burgundy. Give it a large glass...and take a large
whiff...and an extra large gulp. Only kidding...but this is very good.
Butter and caramel aftertaste. Long...long...
18.25
Food...Warm Goose liver and Zander Filet
A
couple I met last year were there again. They like their wine...so
after they were given a glass of mine....they offered back Huber's
Wildenstein Spätburgunder 2010...still wild and complex.
We arranged to meet up for dinner next day.
Tuesday 30 August
Another
massage...then into Achern to buy some new shoes for walking.
Tried them out through he vineyards...as I never wear socks in Summer...no blisters...great.
Tried them out through he vineyards...as I never wear socks in Summer...no blisters...great.
Franz Josef and Caroline arrived...they had brought along a bottle purchased from the Saar.
It was a pleasant opener while we chose the food.
Jumping
ahead...I wanted something for the main course that needed little
attention...as we would be chatting. The lamb was not the correct
choice!
Too much work...
Too much work...
Back to the starters...and I had asked for the Hirtzberger to be given a couple of hours.
Hirtzberger Hochrain Smaragd Riesling 2010
Wachau, Austria
First impression was a little fat....but as it mixed in the glass the hidden acidity came through.
This would have complimented the Warm Goose Liver eaten on the previous evening...
17.5
We
had discussed a few possibilities for the red...Franz Josef thinking
about the Wildenstein 2009...I would have been happy with trying the
Tignanello 2007 or the Spanish Ygay 2005...but they let me guide them to
Becker's top Pinot...a wine I had drank with friends a few months ago.
Becker Pinot Noir 2009
Pfalz, Germany
Fuller evolved and ready...oak just about hovering on the nose...and perfect served cooler on the warm evening.
18
Wednesday 31 August
Long
hike to the Zuckerbergschloss....listening to the music I love...Soul
and Gospel. Reibekuchen and a beer...
then on the way back...a coffee and apple tart at Huber' cafe.
then on the way back...a coffee and apple tart at Huber' cafe.
For the evening...
Asked
for a table in the corner of the terrace. Have a feeling I do not want
to converse tonight...and the staff know what I want.
The wine I want is the surprise last time I was here.
Robert Weil Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling trocken 2007
Rheingau, Germany
I
loved this...floral notes...peaches...perfect time with the minerals
and acidity stroking the Rheingau fruit. Exciting
wine...harmonious...just my style.
Points 17.75
Thursday 01 September
Breakfast with Franz Josef and Caroline
Breakfast with Franz Josef and Caroline
The
shoes are made for walking...getting a rhythm...at this rate I will
sell the car...buy myself a case of Keller's G-Max. Which leads me into
the evening...and I was undecided what to drink. The plan HAD been...to
sit with owner Karl Hodapp and share some wines...but yesterday he fell
off his bike...and wine was not on the menu for his evening.
I sat on the terrace and both Claudi and Sandro greeted me with...wine is on the house! I threatened a G-Max 2014...which I know is in a mixed case Karl had collected from the property a few months ago...and we laughed. I compromised with a repeat of the Abtserde 2012.
I sat on the terrace and both Claudi and Sandro greeted me with...wine is on the house! I threatened a G-Max 2014...which I know is in a mixed case Karl had collected from the property a few months ago...and we laughed. I compromised with a repeat of the Abtserde 2012.
Friday 02 September
Fancied a Pizza for lunch...Pizzeria in Achen...only ate half...look at the size of it!
Friday
afternoon...Karl had recovered enough to join me for a cup of tea...and
said to leave the two bottles I had brought with me...they are covered
up and he has no idea what they are...and sometime in November we will
empty them. Karl said he was well enough for the usual glass I send into
the kitchen...and suggested Keller's Silvaner Feuervogel 2015 which has
a flinty nose...herby...quite full and juicy...soft smokey
minerals...and vibrant acidity. Think it will be ok with warm Goose
Liver followed by the Entrecôte.
Points 17
So here I am...slumming it again with Klaus Peter Keller...he would be proud of me!
Saturday 03 September
Walked
up to the Hochsitz and ate some on the Pizza from yesterday. When I
watch films and people are eating cold Pizza I shudder...but this was
not bad. Weather is still warm...but the light clouds are keeping off
the sun. It must be a record for my visits...every night eating out n
the terrace!
At last...the Quail is on the menu...filled with Blutwurst und Gänseleber...a perfect match for the wine.
Knoll Riesling Pfaffenberg Selection 2006
Wachau, Austria
Last of the three bottles I brought from home.
Yellow
with green tinges...gorgeous nose...yellow apples...pineapples...and it
continues onto the palate...10 years old...and a point...still quite
full...but that is Knoll's style.
17.5
Sunday 04 September
Never tire of the trees viewed from the balcony...
Never tire of the trees viewed from the balcony...
Breakfast on the terrace...but it is cloudy.
The local football team are at home...and an early kick-off. They won 3-0.
Rain came as the game finished...but I was prepared.
Rain came as the game finished...but I was prepared.
No way you could sit outside tonight...so inside to the Stube.
I have been off the red wine...but tonight...last night...a red I tried 2 years ago.
Dominus Estate 2004
Napa Valley, U.S.A.
Nose bacon-like...complex cedar...loads of blackcurrants...creamy...soft and lush...but earthy enough to hold your attention.
Points 17.5
And so another 10 years atthe Rebstock. Always a please to me up with Karl
wife Sandra and son Basti.Their world seems far away from the problems of the
world...long may it remain so.