Philippi Tafelwein

Bernard Philippi is reknowned for releasing his reds later than most. I have a 1998 RR in the cellar waiting to see the light of day. This one is his 'basic' wine...and was an Ebay success. Admittedly it was a risk for an 8 year old standard bottling....but no risk no fun.











Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht
Philippi Spätburgunder Tafelwein 2002
Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Instantly appealing with nose intact...wood berries and a touch of oak...delicate...good middle palate...no decay...just rippling fruit...touch of earthy tannins...and some nice spice to the finish.
Points 16.25

Burgundy & Burgundy Style

Whenever I have the urge to try a few bottles...I call my friends and we meet. Drinking wine alone is a pleasure....on my many travels..an evening spent in a good restaurant alone...watching guests...enoying the food...and conversing with the sommelier....always a pleasure.
Wines shared with friends is essential though...especially if they are wine orientated.
Volker & Robert are in this group.
First up...a white...the bottle covered in kitchen foil....which hardly disguised it's 'size'....but as I was hiding it in the fridge...no help in advance was given to them.
Au Bon Climat Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Chardonnay 2002
California, U.S.A.
This was beautifully rounded and at 8 years old...a dead-ringer for a white Burgundy...a faint smoky nose...creamy and nutty....which on the palate was still being paired with the acidity that is holding this together. Some anis...a real treat. As Volker said...have we ever had a bad wine from Jim Clendenen?
Points 17.5






Averys Beaune 1er Cru
Grande Reserve 1972
Burgundy, France
Averys?.....OK....the company were very big in the 60's and 70's...especially with Burgundy.
I remember well the many visits in the early 80's...a treasure trove of goodies.They would purchase direct from France and bottle themselves...and I have had some really excellent examples.
This bottle was purchased from another wine-merchant on my recent trip to England. Worth a 'punt' was the expression he used. The 1972 Vintage was an 'acidity' Vintage. You needed patience in Burgundy...and the wine had to have the fruit to hold out until the searing stuff had softened. Well...this had not broken up yet...and amazingly it was not a stinker after 38 years....but not one we wanted to further intake-of! Was possible still enjoyable about 15 years ago.

La Pousse d'Or Santenay 1er Cru
Les Gravières 1990
Burgundy, France
Knowing that the Avery may not be up to standard...I had this on stand-by. Another bought in England...but this from an established property. Burgundy has changed....I used to know all the properties and those I could trust or not. Families grow...sons & daughters improved what their parents had done...or vice-versa. However...some properties have remained constant. La Pousse d'Or is one of them. The Vintage 1990 was a success...and it shows in the fact that this was still very pleasant. Good colour...caramel rim...earthy edge to it....and the fruit is dry...but certainly an interesting wine....no way a pain...ad was probably very good 10 years ago...but now...
Points 16.25

Seeger Blauer Spätburgunder Heidelberger Herrenberg 'RR' 2006
Baden, Germany
This was a present last Xmas from a business acquaintance. She knows what I want!
This would have cost over € 50,-- Seeger's top wines are expensive. Was it worth it?
The only tip I gave to Volker & Robert was Boris Becker!(He was born in Leimen).
Sweetish fruit a fine Pinot nose...smoky...forest berries....and it developed some tasty marzipan...almonds as well. Tannin abounds ...but the 'crumbly' type. Still a touch firm...so if you get it as a present as well...there is no hurry to drink it. Everybody was impressed by it.
Points 17.75

Seitlinge...Oyster Mushrooms...
were not on offer...but amused us with the packing.

Knoll For Everyone

Weingut Knoll Grüner Veltliner
Loibner Smaragd Vinothekfüllung 2003
Wachau, Austria
Love this...and you would too.
Now...Knoll's Smaragd wines are maybe an acquired taste...sometimes a touch fuller than many...so..if you are are a lover of, let's say, sprightly wines...they may be an overdose too much.








The 2003 vintage had me thinking I would be drinking plenty of heat and alcohol. How wrong I was. The first impression of burnt smokiness...then a flintyness....and minerals hitting the nostrils...lovely, just lovely on the palate....
Next day...more cream than mineral...but still very good indeed.
Points 17.75



My wife & I had a Wedding Anniversary....here the photo of the flowers I bought her.
She surprised me with a mini notebook....which, with our summer break coming up, will mean I can write a daily report...thus saving the chore of doing it all when I return.

Flowers & Wine

The last couple of weeks have been hard...having an international business means that YOUR evening meal is someone else's start of the day. Also...we offer a 24/7 service...so I am really used to it...but with staff on holiday...it has meant that many meals had to be 're-heated'. Thank heaven for the microwave! Wines have been opened...note-pad ready...but...to be honest...I just wanted to relax and enjoy...and view the flowers in our garden. So...here are some of the 'Blumen'...along with the wines. No notes, no marks...maybe just a comment or two.
The two Prager's GV and Riesling...both 2004...both Smaragd...were , as always, very well made.
Salwey Weissherbst...won prizes...but I am not a Rosé man! Maybe the reason I never went for red-headed girls in my youth. Light or dark....nothing in between.
The Pittnauer 2001 was another Ebay success....aged Austrian reds are starting to interest me.
The Knoll 2006 was light and fluffy...and improved with airing.
The Knoll 2001...was over the hill...deep gold and straining to please...it failed.
The Schwörer wines...are not my style of Spätburgunder.
Schneider's Parzelle 2006 is just starting to become more rounded.
The 'simple' Heinrich Männle was more than that.