Aldinger Delight

Does anyone outside of Germany ever get to taste a wine from Württemberg? I doubt it.
Growers from all the main areas are crossing the waters..to be tasted and explored...but I don't think this area has been 'discovered' yet. Not that it is a problem...more for us here. Aldinger is one of the top 5 growers... he is situated just a few kilometres from the city of Stuugart....and his wines regularly please me.
Aldinger Untertürkheimer Gips
Spätburgunder GG 2007
Württemberg, Germany
This is a Grosses Gewächs...of which I have been trying a few from all over Germany...2007 is a very fine vintage. All those tried recently showed great potential...but need some time to evolve.
This was , in comparison, very forward.
Gorgeous strawberry aroma...just so enticing...you smell the juiciness of this wine before you ever get to taste it. Also...it has a freshness that appeals...beautifully balanced...soft earthiness that always reminds me of what a a Pinot Noir made by a Bordelais would taste like.
Points 17.75

Hensel without Gretel

With apologies to the Brothers Grimm for the post heading....
Germany may be Spätburgunger when you think of reds....but particular in the Pfalz there are some excellent Bordeaux-sytle wine...particularly Knipser Cuvee X 2005 & Knipser Cuvee X 2003
Hensel Ikarus 2005
Pfalz, Germany
100% Cabernet Cubin. Opaque colour....white peppery aroma is the first impression..followed by a juicy Blackberry and some cedar. For some...this would not be approachable...but the tannins are so ripe and easy...making it drinkable...an attractive spicy edge...tobacco tones...and a good length make this a wine to sit up to.....will age 10 years without a problem.
Bravo Germany...again...
Points 17.5

Potato, Potahto, Tomato Tomahto

You say potato and I say potahto, You like tomato and I like tomahto...with a slight change to the lyrics from an old classic film 'Shall We Dance'. The vineyard is Rädling...but on the label it states clearly Redling. What does one do...one (see how I am using the 'royal' one)....one calls the property and talks to Frau Bernhart. To cut a long explanation short.....bureaucracy says they can't call it by it's name...so Herr Bernhart changed a letter. Still sounds the same..and as I said to Frau Bernhart...it's what is in the bottle that counts.
The property sits in the village of Schweigen...close to the Alsace border. In 1900 vineyards were bought in Wissembourg which explains why two-thirds of the grapes grow on the French side.The reds can spend up to 24 months in oak.
Bernhart Schweigener Sonnenberg
Spätburgunder 'Rädling' GG 2007
Pfalz, Germany
Thick and rich aroma...you can smell the intensity of the GG...peppery & spicy palate...the usual 'earthy' Pfalz feel to this...very fine length of flavour and aftertaste. Infantile at the moment (I slapped my own wrist)...but next day some hidden fruit popped it's head up. The 2nd bottle will be left to evolve...
Points 17.75.....18 even...watch this space...

Blood, Liver & Pinot Noir

A break in posts due to the fact that I was not feeling 100%. What to do....make sure nothing has been missed. So...off to doctor and he took blood from me. I returned 3 days later for the results. Now...I've been here before...he sits me down...says...you are 64 years old...and you have perfect results!!! There was the Cholesterin 271+ and I thought...oh no...my wife will stop all butter on bread...but he quickly said that is balanced out by the HDL Cholesterin 77. My wine-blog friend Doctor Ed will no doubt give his opinion. For those not medical it is like mixing a red with a white and getting a decent Rosé. No need to change anything. The rest...well..the liver results were perfect....no trace of Foie Gras here. 'I need to drink more' I added...and he...being a Bordeaux lover said...'Shall I write you a prescription'?
Which brinks me nicely back to wine...
Eichholz Irene Grünenfelder Pinot Noir 2006
Jenins, Graubünden, Switzerland
Soft, sour cherry sprang from the glass..very fruit driven...a little coffee..bouquet & palate in harmony...well-integrated attractive acidity keeping this lively....then the grip of soft tannins...and the 'sweetish' fruit is now gaining control. Lovely wine.
Points 17.5

To Ebay Or Not To Ebay

That is the question!
Whether 'tis nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of disappointment in the search for a bargain. Shakespeare may be turning in his grave at my misuse of his most famous 'phrase'. Hamlet liked a glass or two...and would maybe be checking the internet auction house if he were around.
Until recently...I only bought wines from merchants...but out of curiosity I checked Ebay. The secret of any auction, of course, is to set the price that is CHEAPER than it would be bought elsewhere...and...to really want it...and not to buy for the sake of it! Here a couple purchased...both something I would want to try anyway...and bought below the standard price.

Ökonomierat Rebholz Im Sonnenschein Spätburgunder 2003
Pfalz, Germany
To be honest...I was hoping for a touch more here. The vintage has it's ups & downs...and wine-lovers are split...due to the heat that year. When it works...it works well. Here...the heat and alcohol are taking over...aroma not very forthcoming...a touch malty maybe...the palate is soft, with some burnt vanilla...seems flat...and the second bottle I bought will go back to Ebay.
Points 16.25
PS....I particularly like the photo...newly planted flowers in the garden...the sun is back from it's LONG hibernation...the world looks a better place...

Adeneuer Ahrweiler Rosenthal
Spätburgunder GG 2007
Ahr, Germany
I already had a bottle of this...recently purchased...but on Ebay I bought it for € 10,-- less...so...a plus for lil ol' me! Very Burgundian nose...which is strange for the property...as they don't have to copy the French...they make wonderful wines...the whole range. Perfect balance...and the GG quality just sticks it's head up and says..'.See Me Smell Me Taste Me'..I can compete with any Pinots this world has to offer'...at least...that's what it said to me...maybe I am a good listener!
Some plum and dark cherry...'thick' top fruit...complex...intense...infantile to drink now...not because it is not pleasurable...just that it will get better and better. That second bottle will be put away for a while..I promise...hold me to it...if you see any notes in the next two years you can kick my butt!
Points 17.75
PS...strangely...the other bottle has 'trocken' on the label...

Easter Surprise

Easter Monday....and we wanted to see eldest daughter and 'hubby to be' ( taken over ten years to decide). My wife had also taken a decision a few days in advance that she would cook. Nothing special here you think....but we are getting older...and the way my wife used to cook 4 - 6 courses takes it's toll. Preparation etc. as all fellow amateur chefs will know...AND...she lost her sense of smell a couple of years ago...following a virus. To be honest...the meals I am served...day to day...are as good as ever...I guess it's the memory & experience! I'm staying!(smile). The 4 courses we had here were wonderful....she could still show the youngsters how to do it...
Crostinis....






...were followed by a delightful salad comprising of Löwenzahnsalad(dandelion)....peeled tomatoes...avocado, green asparagus and some cured ham slices...along with walnuts and a delicate walnut oil... perfect for the white wine.


We crossed over to the red with the pasta...but both paired well.

Truffle Ravioli in a pumpkin curry sauce...yummy!



A steak was the pairing that the Merlot had to compete with...as the notes explained...I just needed a bit more 'bite' in the wine...but that wasn't the meat's problem. Charolais Beef...Gratin Potatoes and Semmelstoppelpilz in a cream sauce. (Hedgehog Mushrooms!!!).




The 'hit' with this course was the side 'plate' ...shallot onions in a port wine sauce. To be on the same plate would have been a mistake...but to dip into it with the meat...a highlight.





Bründlmayer Ried Lamm Grüner Veltliner 2006
Wachau, Austria
Bought as a bin-end...special price...obviously no GV wine lovers willing to buy it...and they missed a bargain!
I gave it a chance and opened 2 hours in advance...exotic fruit aromas...honey, spices...waxy...nothing changes as it enters it's last place of rest...the palate is aroused by the minerals...soft acidity...which is why I am a fan...and so well structured...no way you need to drink this soon...it will still develope...please don't tell anyone about these wines...they might decide to try them.
Points 17.25



Gimblett Gravels Craggy Range Merlot 2007
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
I purchased this from a Supermarket chain in England...Waitrose...if only we had them in Germany. Well above the range of anything here.
This is ...'safe'...best way I can describe it. A creamy vanilla smell...the 16 months in French oak nicely integrated...grainy tannins...low in acidity...silky...easy to drink...dark berry fruit...hit me now I said...but it remains 'safe'...just not that 'grab me round the throat' to enthuse about. That's Merlot I guess...and it had been given 4 hours of German air...can't ask for more!
Points 16.75

Chicken & Raupo Creek

Simple food...small chickens...with bread dumpling filling...and a lemon sauce...nothing else...delicious...and the colour just wants you to try this. The wine is from New Zealand...and someone wrote it had the wow factor. We'll see..






Seresin Raupo Creek Pinot Noir 2005 Marlborough, New Zealand
Good deep colour...closed at first...30 minutes later...a cool...elegant aroma...layed-back...some cherry. The palate showed some beefiness...quite meaty...spicy fruit...but maybe needing some time to open again. Perhaps the 'wow' person had it a while ago...some wines close and open like the local Supermarket.
Points 16.25