White Wine For The Aged

 

A recent bottle of 2011  Riesling from von Volxem which was very forward and a 2007 Riesling from Rebholz in the Pfalz...were the reasons for opening this single bottle I had purchased a few years ago. The Rebholz had been showing age...and no point in leaving whites TOO long  in the cellar someone said. Ah...but with Riesling...as with no other grape...it is down to what your requirements are. There are the acidity lovers who's young stomachs yearn for the stuff...they drink it even after a tasting. Those days are gone for me...I like my Riesling to be a little fat with the acidity just caressing the whole.

Von Volxem Alte Rebe 2007

Mosel, Germany

In the old days...this would have been from the Saar...when talking about the wine region...all under one hat now...and that may well be...but this style would not be found maybe in the main Mosel area.. It spends time in old barrels....but is terroir total! Drank over 2 days...it shows a really clean, clear-cut style...flintstone nose (no ..not Fred)...oily grapefruit...tons of fruit...bread crust...soft butter...but as required for my tatse...that gentle spot of acidity. Silky but crisp...fine length...I gave this 17 points on the first day...and on day 2...as the sun went down...I said...dammit...this is good (only cost €15,--)...and it earned

Points 17.5

F.X. Pichler Loibner Berg
Grüner Veltliner 2003

Wachau, Austria

Bought 3 bottles of this vintage...plus one of 2002...on Ebay.  It can be a minefield...especially if you buy from someone in Austria...where the postage can cost € 15,-- Luckily my seller was in Germany...and I have no idea why he would want to get rid of the wines. This cost € 26,-- and is a snip. Still very much a wine to be reckoned with...gold colour...stones and diamonds...the dryness and sparkle...layers of soft fruit on the palate...great that these wines are still available...still have no idea why he would sell them. My gain...thank you

Points 17.5

Pinot Perfection

The idea was born out a few weeks ago. Robert & I were at our local Bistro...and he said he had 2 bottles of vintage 2009...not from Germany or France...and that I should choose 2 bottles of German Pinot...and we would taste them blind at friend Volker's house.

Sunday evening arrived...I had deposited my pair the day before with the orders to Volker's wife Steffi...to open at midday and decant at 4.13 pm ( we wine-lovers are very precise).

On arrival there was the usual Riesling on offer...a first from the new vintage 2011...Van Volxem Wiltinger Braunfels from the Saar.

It went perfectly with the first course of Oysters from the oven. Here and now...what was on offer food-wise...was an absolute delight. Chef Volker was on top form indeed.

A very tasty pea soup with various ingredients warmed us nicely for the much awaited (Robert and I were visibly excited) 4 sexy wines.

Steffi had mixed up the decanters...so we had no idea which was ours. We went through all 4 wines returning to them to see the development.

Wine 1

Fritz Wassmer
Spätburgunder XXL 2009
Baden, Germany

First wine was poured showing a lightish...mature colour. Perfect Pinot...we don't want any deep dark brooders. Gorgeous marzipan aroma...smokey.. a trace of liquorice on the aftertaste the second time around.

Perfect Pinot...I knew it was the Wassmer...but held back saying it...as we were to try to guess at the end.

Points 18.25

Wine 2

Gantenbein Pinot Noir 2009
Fläsch, Switzerland

Animal aromas...red forest fruit...a soft tannic feel...lively acidity...potential...fine now but needs a year or two

Points 17.75

Wine 3

Paul Schumacher
Walporzheimer Kräuterberg Spätburgunder 2009
Ahr, Germany

Clear colour...shiny...a little earthy...some vanilla....vibrant acidity...and again soft tannins. Needs a year two as well.

Points 17.5

Wine 4

Antica Terra Pinot Noir Botanica 2009
Willamette Valley, U.S.A.

Darker colour. graceful rich fruit...but this was New World...so not mine. Raspberries...good texture...complex...different style to the other 3 but no less interesting. In fact...if the Wassmer had stayed home...this would have been the star.

Points 18

We had all given points....and only Robert marked under 17 for any of them....the Schumacher suffering.
Wines 1 & 4 were both marked with 18 & over.

I was asked which were my two wines...I said Wine 1...but I was not sure about 2 & 3

Robert was certain Wine 1 was his...thinking it was the Gantenbein. We both knew Wine 4 was his...New World style.

Man...was I pleased...not only to have offered the 'winner'...but it cost (no longer available) € 30,-- whereas the Gantenbein and Antica can set you back € 80,--

The Schumacher also costs € 30,--

I could have offered the top Huber or Fürst...but if a € 30,-- comes out on top of a very fine selection of wines...then I rest my case!

The Guinea Fowl main course was sensational...and the selection of cheeses meant I overdid it...but who cares...a great evening.

A Sign Of Age?

The day job has had priority over the last few weeks...hardly time to update the blog. The positive is...money earned to buy some more of the liquid stuff.

Velich Darscho Chardonnay 2009
Neusiedlersee, Austria

Heinz Velich is a name to watch. He makes my style of Chardonnay. The 'Tiglat' tasted recently had impressed. They see new oak...but the balance is perfect and there always remains a balance veering towards minerals. Flinty nose...lychee fruit...and a touch of honey.

Points 17

Winkler-Hermaden Sauvignon Blanc
Hochwart Stürghk 2009

South East Styria, Austria

Strange...but when I used to try the grape...the very thought of gooseberries made my mouth pucker. Not any more...I have found the new home of this variety...and this one is a bargain at € 15,--. Blood oranges...juicy citrus fruit and a good finish makes this a must for daily summer drinking.

Points 16.5

Kollwentz Taschler Chardonnay 2009
Burgenland, Austria

Again the minerals in these Austrian wines turn me on. Oaky notes...melons...elegant spices...and a dose of citrus fruit. Lively acidity and a creamy finish

Points 17.25

Jackson Estate Vintage Widow
Pinot Noir 2010

Marlborough, New Zealand

Scented bouquet...aroma of violets...and some dark forest fruit...gentle smokey aromas. Silky structure...and lots of potential

Points 17

and finally...a sign of age?...tired from overwork?

Pfleger Pinot Noir *** 2008
Pfalz, Germany

I just grabbed for the basic bottle of Pfleger's Pinot Noir 2009...and after tasting the first glass...was thinking what a real gem it had developed into.

Showing my wife the label...I suddenly realized I had mistakenly opened my only bottle of the 2008 ***

More through shock...the only notes I made were...lovely now...but needed a year or two...which it won't get anymore.

Points 17.25