Once A Month

Once a month...the first Tuesday...we will meet up at the Wine Bistro Schaab Louis. We did...and each bought a bottle of white....covered up. We have to try to guess what grape, country, region, vintage....
Volker offered his wine to start...not knowing he would be setting the standard.

Clemens Busch Riesling Pundericher Marienburg Rothenpfad
Grosses Gewächs 2009
Mosel, Germany
Rich and intense nose of ripe peaches...I was on a roll to start with...Riesling, Germany, 2009...then I got lost as Mosel was way down my list. A lovely surprise this wine...good depth of flavour(2009)...a touch residual sugar...and the acidity just lingering. Complex....and had been popped and poured...maybe lost something after an hour...but very good indeed.
Points 17.5

My wine...
Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Windsbuhl 2007
Alsace, France
Strangely...Robert and Volker did not guess the grape...but when I said it only grows in one part of France...ah well...that's what friends are for.
Nose is still tight...I had opened this 6 hours in advance...that steely, crisp, dry style that you only seem to find in Alsace. Bone dry with clean acidity...citrus fruit...gained in the glass with a little warmth(but don't all good whites?). Maybe suffered after the Clemens Busch...but as we did not know in advance!
Points 16.75

Crystallum Clay Shales Chardonnay 2013
Walker Bay, South Africa
Robert's wine...
I was not sure of Chardonnay...but Volker said yes...and my country second guess was South Africa.
Nose is reserved...hence my uncertainty. Creamy texture...citrus fruit...good...but begging to be left. Nougat with last drop...and as I said...leave it.
I have some fine Pinot Noir from this estate...certainly a property to watch.
Points 16.75

Next Rendezvous...June 2nd...and if the sun is with us...it will be out in the garden area.
Three whites again...
 

South Tyrol, South Styria

Been to this restaurant about 100 times over the last 40 years...and only remember one bad evening(New Year's Eve....when you should never go out eating). La Fattoria is an insitution. Owner Chester is still there...and our favourite waiter Agnello celebrates 15 years...singing in my ear as he serves. Home from home...the food is always pleasurable.

Lageder Löwengang Chardonnay 2011
South Tyrol, Italy
Racy structure...with creamy oak on the palate. Light and finely balanced...citrus fruit...a delight.
Points 17.25

Jacobs Mussels

Tortelloni

Monkfish

Polz Sauvingon Blanc Hochgrassnitznerg 2008
South Styria, Austria
Having enjoyed the Reserve 2007 a few weeks ago...this final bottle was packed in a cold bag...and transported to the restaurant.
Instant pleasure...the aromas of grass and classic gooseberry...and a little oak. Dense on the palate...with again...a trace of the oak sweetness. As it sat in the glass the aroma and taste of lychees took over...ah yes...the only dessert you used to find at a China restauarant. The wine handled all the food main courses...meat and fish...very good indeed...if not the equal of the 2007.
Points 17.5