An Englishman, A Frenchman, an American and a Mexican are on a small plane. The pilot shouts over the intercom...'We are losing height..we need a volunteer to jump off the plane'. The Englishman stands up and shouts 'God Save The Queen'..and jumps out. Ten minutes later..the pilot again saying it hadn't helped. The Frenchman stands up..shouts 'Vive La France'..and springs from the plane. Fifteen minutes later...another call from the pilot..the American gets up..shouts 'Remember The Alamo'..and throws the Mexican out.
A similar mix was on offer at our local Bistro....I took along wines from the U.S.A, New Zealand, France and Germany. My guess is..the first three would have thrown the German out....if only to shine more than they did. Volker, Robert and Axel were given the information...4 Countries, 2 Vintages..points were awarded..10 for country..5 for the vintage..and a bonus 5 if both were correct. From 80 points Robert had 60...it helped catching a glimpse of the screwtop New Zealander..I must be more careful next time. He is a wine merchant and shouldn't get any help.
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2007Martinborough, New ZealandDeep, dark berry aroma...concentrated..a wildness to it...smoky, truffles...quite masculine..it is firm..but with subtle attractiveness now...very good17.25
Friedrich Becker Spätburgunder SchweigenerSankt Paul Grosses Gewächs trocken 2007Pfalz, GermanyLong 'legs' in the glass....gorgeous elegant aroma...silky & sexy....believe me...impossible to get much more in a glass...as I have mentioned before..the vineyard is in France..and this would need a very good Chambolle-Musigny as competition...it spends some time in new oak barrels...smoky bacon smell...compact..perfectly balanced..the fruit just layers the tongue...the best Sankt Paul yet?....need to compare it side-by-side with the 2006... Points 18.25
Thibault Liger-Belair Nuits St Georges La Charmotte 2005Burgundy, FranceAt first suffered a lot following Becker..but developed it's own appeal with airing...quite meaty..and very French..juicy, earthy...some tannins still...dry smoke..needs a year or twoPoints 17
Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir,Bien Nacido 2005Historic Vineyards CollectionCalifornia, U.S.A.A terroir wine..Amaretto...marzipan...spices of the orient...thick but subtle tannins... and although drinkable..will benefit from 5 years in your cellar.Points 17.5All but the Becker wine I have tried before..and all scored a fraction more...the problem for them here was..the Becker just overawed us all. World class Pinot.
How do you say goodbye to an old friend.....he (or she) has been part of my (wine-drinking) life for as long as it's been my hobby. She (I have decided..being a Pinot Noir lover) has to go.....she is taking up space..and to be honest...has been lying there, doing very little..for almost 35 years.At this point I had better explain. My wine drinking started back in 1975....after arriving in Germany and trying to sell French wines while learning the language. As if she knew I needed monthly help...Decanter emerged in September of that year...a wine magazine that helped and encouraged...that introduced me over the years to the wonderful world of wine. I purchased the very first issue...years later the binders...then I stopped the binders and just piled them up wherever there was space. Space....is the reason for this 'mild' rant. My wife says we need it for other 'important' things....and, to be honest, when was the last time I read the October 1979 version..or the January edition in 1991. Probably a few weeks after I read them...then they were hardly touched again. New issues arrived....new tasting notes...new regions to try. So..the question arrives...how do I 'lose' an old friend. Do I 'bury' her....buy a plot in a nearby vineyard....or is a 'cremation' necessary...with a glass of Dom Perignon at my lips and a tear in my eye. She has to go....I need sympathy and advice...
My first taste of a Cuvée X goes back over 3 years ago...I wanted a half bottle of Lynch-Bages 2001 Pauillac in a restaurant..but was told it was sold out so I decided to try the 2003 Cuvée X. It was decanted and I thought they had found the Lynch-Bages. A dead ringer..The last bottle was superb.....Time to try the 2005.....so about the same age span....
Knipser Cuvee X 2005Pfalz, GermanyThis spends 28 months in new French oak..cuvée is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc und Merlot....cool cassis...power nose...liquorice traces..tobacco and the usual cedar...deep and intense...big chewy tannins but with a velvet touch...there is a dark fruit feel..plums and blackberries....just leave it a year or two..and watch it develope.Points 17.5
Many of the German reds I drink will not be seen outside Germany.....whether things will change as the world awakes to the rising quality..we will see. Until then...read on dear bloggers....and pine...
Weingut Bercher Burkheimer Feuerberg Spätburgunder G.G. Spätlese trocken 2005 Baden, Germany
Bercher has his own style..drier than many...definite terroir...
the 2003 was maybe TOO hot a vintage..and never appealed to me...the 2005 style is maybe more suited....medium red...dark berry aroma..earthy..elegant fruit of new oak...tobacco....harmonius tannins...went down easy...but has staying power.Points 17.25
Having just bought a new car (actually..4 years old and it's only my third car in 35 years)..we decided to celebrate and go out with some friends Marianne & Jupp to a restaurant in Mainz. As is my want..and being a crazy wine freak...I was there a day earlier to browse the wine-list. This is for my satisfaction...but it also cuts out the delays caused by me on the evening. Foodies will know what I mean. I met the owner while I was checking the list...Herr Buchholz...who was probably wondering what a customer was doing mid afternoon in his restaurant. After a short chat..it was 'bis morgen'..and off home.The following evening we drove to Mainz-Gonsenheim in the new car (no ..I didn't drive home). They have a parking service at the restaurant..give up the keys..and hope the young guy doesn't drive off and show his girlfriend his 'new motor'. We were shown to our table...large enough for 8 people..so we had plenty of room. There is a main restaurant..and small pockets where tables are available...well set out. We decided to eat 'à la carte'...a starter and a main course. A very good variety of fresh breads with various salts....and an 'amuse gueule' preceeded the first courses.
Ökonomierat Rebholz von Muschelkalk Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2007Pfalz, GermanyI had this 6 months ago..and was impressed. No chance of getting anymore..the 2008 was on the market. Last chance to try it again here then. Jupp makes wine in the Rheingau....and he was surprised how little acidity was showing...and that is the reason that it pleases me. That's not to say it is flat..far from it..but the whole bundle is perfectly balanced. There is an intense aroma...classic Riesling...needed some airing..then filled out on the palate...spices galore...layers of minerals. Lovely wine.Points 17.5Decided to overdo it with the red.....The Meyer-Näkel looked me in the eye from the wine-list....
Meyer-Näkel Dernauer Pfarrwingert G.G. Spätburgunder 2006Ahr, GermanyCassis...blackberry...cream.....stop there....just smell this all night....what a compact bouquet...scares you sometimes....maybe you will be disappointed when you taste...but no chance here. Dry smoke...rich fruit...just layers and layers....this is class...and fully deserves thePoints 18That would have been it..,..wine-wise...but Jupp & I were on a roll...and the alocohol hadn't set in..so a selection of cheeses needed a slightly more biting wine...so the half-bottle was just right. No photo of the Burgundy....I think the alcohol was taking over..I forgot...Domaine Chantal Lescure à Nuits-Saint-GeorgesPommard les Vaumuriens 2006Burgundy, FranceThis was not going to be easy after the M-N wine...earthy, drier fruit...walnuts..very much terroir..with a bite of acidity and a soft tannin grip...just right with the cheese.Points 17.25Food was very good....maybe pricey on the list..but with all the extras it balances itself out.One small point...some sort of small potato addition with the main courses would have been better.Here some photos...with a list of what was on the menu...the rest you can work out for yourselves!VorspeisenGelbschwanzmakrele mit rote Bete und SauerrahmTatar vom Taschenkrebs mit Langustino, Radieschen und AvocadoMarinierter Kalbskopf mit Kartoffel und EntenstopflebercroûtonsZwischengerichteGebratene Jakobsmuschel mit Zweierlei von Kürbis und MangoldCannelloni vom Kalbsschwanz auf Stielmus und Rote Bete-VinaigretteKartoffelravioli in Geflügel-Olivenölnage und schwarzem TrüffelHummerconsommé mit Büsum KrabbenHauptgerichteSteinbuttfilet mit geräuchertem Süßkartoffelpüree, lauwarmen Selleriesalat und AnisschaumSaiblingsfilet und marinierte Muscheln auf gebratenem Spitzkohl und ZitrusfrüchtenRoastbeef und geschmorte Wange vom Westhofener Rind mit Safranschalotten,cremiger Polenta und SteinpilzenZweierlei vom Lamm mit Auberginencaviar, Quitte und OlivensauceEnte in 2 Gängen serviertRosa Brust mit Servietten-Nssknödel, Kräutersaitlingen und SenfkörnersauceGeschmorte Keule an Selleriepüree und RosenkohlblätternDessertsWarme Apfeltarte mit RumeisLasagne von Buttermilchmousse und Orangen-Mandel-Blättern mit RosmarineisLeicht geliertes Champagnersüppchen mit Cassis-Sorbet und KaramellkrokantRohmilchkäseauswahl
Seeger Lemberger 'R' 2007 
Blauer Spärburgunder 'R' 2007...and it sits in my cellar..waiting for it's master. On the merchant's list was today's wine..so I was tempted. Now...what I like about the grape is when it is lighter in style...like a medium Bordeaux.....the impression here is that it is a little thick...it spends 18 months in oak..hence getting an 'R' for it's loss of light over that period..it is slightly gritty..which is fine for me..cigar-like smell..again fine by me.....red berry fruit..just maybe a touch too plump..and it ain't cheap at € 30,--. So...I'll cross the 'border' next time I get that Lemberger craving. 
