Greens Are Good For You

As a child my mum told me to eat my 'greens'(vegetables)...so I would grow up strong.
It is the fluid 'greens' that interest me nowadays....
Old and new......the first of about 15 GV's I have purchased....they age...no doubting that...

F. X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner
Smaragd Kellerberg 2003
Wachau, Austria
Elegant smokey aroma...pears..the palate is RICH...creamy texture....and the alcohol is very noticeable(14%)...2003 was a HOTTY....I drank half then had to leave it...sometimes you like this..then it is a sip too much...next day...first sip..has this toned-down?...think so..then it hits you again...the love-hate relationship of this one makes it difficult to appraise..is it the vintage?..or the 'intense' Pichler style?.... I have a 2002 to try....which may be better balanced...
Points 16.75



Schloss Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner Kammerner Lamm 2007
Kamptal, Austria
Steely...yes....white pepper tones....pears...some wood showing...but the balance is very good..and the fruit is popping it's head up...just starting to show itself in a very good light....next day...it had filled out..the GV sweetness..green minerals(I know it's not true...but it just feels like they are green)...taste of sweet pineapple...silky....
Points 17

Spontinuety!!!

Spontinuety brings rewards.....4.30 pm...a call from friend Volker...he was alone and was going to our local eatery....did I fancy joining him...the thought of two good bottles, some fine food and friendly banter made me say yes..so he brought the white...and I drew the red out of my cellar.
Dilectum 2007
Rueda, Spain
This is 100% Verdejo...a barrique wine ..8 months in total...the nose is a touch grassy and some smoke...vanilla is noticeable...has a 'slabby' feel...but with nice acidity..some minerals..and a well-balanced easy-to-drink example...
Points 16.5



Friedrich Becker
Kammerberg Spätburgunder G.G. 2006
Pfalz, Germany
'Jump in and drown aroma'..truffles...spices...adorable..trace of cherries.....just so much cream and charm...no tannins...can it age?...will it get the chance?....I doubt it...a touch finer than the Sankt Paul...some would say that € 45,-- for a German red wine is too high..they should wash their mouth out with soap and water...the same quality in France would cost twice as much. Bravo Herr Becker!
Points 18

Black Is Black

The title reminded me of this 60's classic....back when people could sing and there was a melody! Los Bravos.

The Luckerts believe in tradition...but they don't belong to the Franken Wine Authority...they choose their own way...and that is shown by this wine. Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot...not the norm for this area...
Weingut Zehnthof Luckert
Grand Noir *** Tafelwein 2005
Franken, Germany
I suppose the name should have pre-warned me..I just pesumed it was a name......but the colour was inky black..opaque! The aroma gives an impression of coolness..minerals..hidden spices...and on the palate pretty much the same.....if you are drinking this now...down it quickly with friends..because it grew more aggressive with airing..and next day became a real 'biter'..the depth and tannins telling you not to touch him too early. No chance of that...the wine is sold out! A rarity indeed....
Points 17.5

Patron Saint For Burgers?

When you talk about Hamburgers...you would normally think of the chains that offer the product....and occasionally my wife and I sneak in the back door to indulge...just don't quote me on this information! This post is more about my wife's version....which can't be eaten with the hands...well..it could be..but you would end up looking like a blood-splattered corpse...knife and fork needed..best beef...fresh ingredients...yummy...I ate 2 ..and they are LARGE.



Vincent Paris St. Joseph 2007
Rhône, France
The wine was full of dark red fruit, meaty...sour cherries...tannins are reserved... a perfect Burger wine....I have seen this rated at 90 Points and more...hang on..it is very nice..and maybe a little saintly...and reasonably priced...but worth only
Points 16

Ellwanger Hits The Spot

The most memorable wines don't have to necessary be blockbusters...or even the top wines of any vineyard...sometimes it is the simple moment when you catch the wine just as it is so appealing.
Jürgen Ellwanger
Spätburgunder trocken 2001
Württemberg, Germany
After the very good Drautz-Able 2001 tasted recently..the sight of another from the vintage...same area...it hardly seemed a risk. The last bottle on the merchant's list I was told...pity..Ellwanger is one of the top 5 in the area.



On opening and sniffing..it shows a dryness...worry, worry...but the moment it hits the palate you know you have been saved. Actually..the back palate to be exact...lovely sweet fruit..no oak..it has all but gone..and you have the dry style..typically of Württemberg...I do like their wines...destined to remain in Germany though....this has a natural feel...here is good winemaking...spices and a touch of dry cherry...perfect now this one...a Pinot for Bordeaux drinkers....
Points 17.25

Restaurant Fully Booked

On a forum someone was asking for advice on German cuisine and wines. Easy...Cuisine..my wife Eva...and the Wines...me!
But don't tell him that..or I'll get requests for table reservations.
Here are two evening's enjoyments...










A starter of Feldsalat (in case you missed a previous post..Lamb's lettuce)...with a beetroot and shrimp topping...followed by Steak au Poivre...with a milder creamier sauce to accommodate the wine.

Au Bon Climat Santa Maria Valley
Pinot Noir 'Knox Alexander' 2002
California, U.S.A.
I am a big fan of Jim Clenenden's wines...and purchase the new vintages as they are on offer. I leave a few in the cellar..but I seldom see an older vintage on offer.
Why was this still available..was it too old......would it have been cellared well...was the vintage the reason for it's availability (this all sounds like a Mickey Spillane thriller)
The short answer...the vintage maybe and the age...the nose seems flatter...lost it's pfiff...red berries..but quite earthy...drying....less Burgundian than most of this property...still a good drink....but needs selling....and I had helped buying this bottle.
Points 16.25

A juicy cutlet..alongside layered potato slices with chilis... from the oven...
Schlossgut Diel Cuvée
Caroline Spätburgunder 2006
Nahe, Germany
The 2005 was super...is still super...it was a top vintage on the Nahe. The 2006 is rated as a moderate year....so how did Diel deal with it? Well...the nose was lively ..cherries and a touch of strawberry..and the acidity gives it a lip-smacking feel.....the oak showed more next day...and the tannins dominated...and the style is dryer...but back to the first impression. It does not have that voluptuous feel to it....methinks the style has changed a touch...maybe aiming for a longer living wine....2006 seems a little disjointed....look forward to the 2007.
Points 17

Breasts and Wine

After the previous post and the comparisons to the female community...please do not read anything into the photo of the meal that accompanies Huber's wine. Duck Breasts!
Huber Bombacher Sommerhalde
Spätburgunder R 2005
Baden, Germany
The 'third' wine in the Huber hierachy..after Wildenstein & Hecklinger Schlossberg. It has the same basic style....it needs time..but maybe I was expecting this to be more open than the two mentioned...both tried recently from the 2005 vintage. Slightly leathery nose..and some plums...the palate shows cherry flavours..and a touch of strawberry..the oak shows...and the tannins are to the forth...time methinks...but if I was gonna drink any of the three 2005 now..it would be the Hecklinger...to be overtaken by the Wildenstein in 12 months. Both more expensive than the Sommerhalde though...
Points 17.25

Ideal meal with a red..the aforementioned Breast...and I don't claim the photo to be magazine quality..It shows what it was...I ain't gonna spray my plate with anything to add perfection to a photo.

Marry an Ahr Woman!

I recently read somewhere that Ahr reds do not mature...the Meyer-Näkel wines I have tried have been super..and my only 'aged' Kreuzberg was the 2004...but I guess the comments were meant for 10 year old wines. BUT...why age them when they are like this when young.

Kreuzberg Neuenahrer Schieferlay Spätburgunder G.G. 2007 Ahr, Germany
Look at this from a a man's view (you can change the sex depending how you are inclined). How many times in my youth did I see a nice face...but was not happy about the rest...and then she opened her mouth and had an accent that would cut glass! Rarely did that pretty face have a lovely figure and a soft enticing voice. When I finally found her..I married her!
Wines that look, smell, taste and finish without any waves are a real pleasure to drink...you hardly have to work on them...so enjoy them. Like this Kreuzberg...
Can you taste slate?...seems so...you can feel the flat stones throughout this wine...this is already just SO drinkable...
Pale cherry red colour...delicate wood berries....fruit driven...super balance..medium weight with gentle spice...briary tannins...30 second finish...worth a repeat buy I think..as it will hold nicely for a couple of years.
Points 17.75

Christmas Meal in November!!!

Those who know me...they know...that I dislike Christmas. Well..not exactly the 2-3 days...but the whole build up to it. Already in the stores and shops there are Christmas articles etc....grrrrr!!!! So...why the title?..well.. blame daughter No. 1 Bianca...who will be disappearing with her 'hubby' Jochen to Brazil for 5 weeks in December..and so will not be around for our get together on Xmas Eve. Hence...our 'Christmas' Meal in November. Off to our local eatery....and a couple of recent purchases...the first a 'simple' Franken..the second a more 'serious' wine from the Ahr Valley.

Fürst Spätburgunder Tradition 2007
Franken, Germany
The red wine 'Prince' of Franken Rudolf Fürst never disappoints. My good friend Robert visited the property recently and got to try the 'Hünsrück' 2007 and other wines of real quality. Quite by chance I had bought this bottle a few days ago...sweet, ripe fruit...dark smoke..lithe and earthy...honest style...you get something for your money here..a 'Spaßwein'..full of lively minerally tones........and at € 13.50..value for money.
Points 16



Deutzerhof Grand Duc Spätburgunder 2005
Ahr, Germany
"Grand Duc" refers to a type of owl that patrols the vineyard..and the wine spends nine months in new barrique. Medium deep colour...meaty FUNKY nose..touch of game..shocks you at first..Pinot at this age?...reminded me of a 10 year-old Chateauneuf-du-Pape...in the mouth it is cooler...a dry mid-palate..with a tough tannin structure ...will it develope?...2005 was not a top year on the Ahr....
Points 16.25



The second wine 'pointed' more..but the first was more enjoyable..I think we have all been there....

Werewolf Wine

Saturday 31st of October..Market day...and the Feldsalat (Lamb's Lettuce) looked good...this time of year is the time to try it....the fish stall has Sushi quality Tuna fish....so Eva had the ingredients for the evening meal...and as the full moon( on Halloween) lit up the dark autum sky...I pulled the cork on an aged GV. I don't have any in the cellar....one of those wines I just didn't lay down...but luckily there are some available.....and this was keenly priced at € 22,-
Emmerich Knoll
Grüner Veltliner
Smaragd Schütt 2003
Wachau, Austria
Yellow gold..nutty bouquet..lovely weighted palate...touch of caramel...the usual white pepper...soft explosion of sweet fruit...banana?...quite broad and mouthfilling...and a good finish sends you back for more.
Points 16.75

Rheinhessen Red

If you ask anyone to list the red wine areas of Germany...Rheinhessen would come in at about number seven. This is where white wine has priority. I like searching these 'lesser' areas...finding a property that maybe has a Spätburgunder hidden away....
Kühling-Gillot Oppenheimer Kreuz
Spätburgunder Grosses Gewächs Barrique 2006
Rheinhessen, Germany
Carolin Spanier-Gillot and Hans Oliver Spanier are the pair behind this property...that is improving annually....50% of the vines being Riesling. This vineyard faces south-west and gets it's fair share of sun and warmth...and only one of two Grosses Gewächs vineyards in Rheinhessen. Their 'simple' SB is well worth buying at €10,--
Medium colour...pale Pinot rim...grainy nose...herbaceous and a touch of eucalyptus..and what the nose anticipates becomes reality on the palate...a mouth watering juiciness...full berry fruits..a slender feel to this one though....sleek...layed-back..and shows potential to improve.
Points 17

PS...I like Pinot Noir with a delicate Thai curry....they compliment each other so well...