From Cork To Compelling

Tried this wine a few months ago...it had been corked.
I know every bottle is different...but the stigma remains...until I decided to give the second one a chance.

Clever me...

Bäuerl Riesling Kellerberg 2010

Wachau, Austria

Light yellow-gold...touch of the old petroleum rises from the glass...on to a winner here...the gas-station junky. Peaches for those who want something more. Acidity and minerality just perfect...citrus fruit...lingering finish. Perfect Riesling...for my tastes...and compelling...but nowhere to be found. Must buy the 2012...

Points 17.5

Enderle & Moll...the Teenage Years

Recommendations and hype are OK...they tempt and please...but at the end of the day...it is down to you.
I am still making up my mind about the two wines below...bought after the forums on the net were full of them.
They need time...that is clear...and I find them hard work at the moment.

Pinot Noir should be sexy...but these two are spotty teenagers...needing my patience and a few years to show their beautiful side.

Both opened 4 hours in advance...

Enderle and Moll Pinor Noir Muschelkalk 2009
Baden, Germany

I thought Bordeaux on sniffing...wild and earthy with a few swirls...not your everyday sexy grape. Iron came to mind...and blackcurrant...hence the Bordeaux feel. Taut tannins still...as I said...hard work.
Points 16.75

Enderle and Moll Pinor Noir Bundsandstein 2009
Baden, Germany
Damp forest smells...which opened with more airing...herbs and gentle toasting. Fruit is hidden behind the tannins... and again...hard work.
Points 17

Now...I know my wines...after 40 years of tasting and gulping...I should do.
I hope these turn out well...enough experts are rating them...but they are not sexy at this time. Maybe I am comparing them to another style...see Metzger Pinot Noir below...and I am willing to be convinced...time will tell...and I have a few bottles.

P.S.
Bought a bottle of each of the 2012 vintages...still listening to the hype.

The Red Butcher

Uli Metzger took over the reins at this property in 2010 from his father and has invested intensively....not only in vats and barrels...but in the marketing. Of course...with a name like Metzger (Butcher) the oportunities were there. Whites were the first that you took notice of...but now..he's hit the red wine trail. Four wines were released from the 2012 vintage...three of which have the added names 'Prago', 'Arthos' and 'Melandor' added to the labels. The marketing structure was aslo changed...the wines now more readily abvalable. He is proud to offer the house wine to well know TV Chef at his 'Bullerie' in Hamburg. A lot has happened in a few years!

Having received a few bottles was waiting impatiently to try the 'Arthos'.A wander to a local eatery gave me the chance.

A light plate of Greek Feta Cheese and some Olives...fresh bread...and a first smell and sip.

Uli Metzger Pinot Noir 'Arthos' 2012
Pfalz, Germany

Cherry red in colour. Ripe strawberries rise from the glass...and a slight prickle hits the nose...as though it is still fermenting. This turns out to be part of the whole as the wine remains light-footed throughout the evening. The palate shows velvety and juicy fruit...lingering as you swill and swallow. Never becoming heavy it is already a treat but plenty to hold this for 10 years or more.
I believe the consultant on this one was Erich (H.E.) Dausch who knows his Burgundy wines. He has worked with Friedrich Becker and I have had some fine wines whenever he has been involved...

A main course of Spanferkel (Suckling Pig) with a Gorgonzola Sauce was the next test. The secret with that cheese is to make sure the 'blue' does not dominate. The meat was tender and the sauce perfect.
The wine meandered it's way through the possible minefield and came out unscathed. It really thanked the meal as it could show it's full potential.

Points 18