You're moaning again..what's wrong? Is the wine bad?
No..not really.. Well then, stop moaning. Is it thin, weak, watery? No..No..none of that..it's just....... Has it been highly rated?.. Oh yes..Parker probably gave it 92....James Halliday gave it 94.. Well....they can't be wrong.. It's not all about right and wrong..it's about personal taste and style. Tell us more about this wine then... Well...it's a blend of 73% Cabernet Franc and 27% Sangiovese....and has a French nose and an Italian body.. Charles de Gaulle and Sophia Loren you mean... NO!...my choice would be Sophie Marceau and Claudia Cardinale...but let's get back to wine... The Islander Estate Yakka Jack 2004 Kangaroo Island, South Australia This winery is on Kangaroo Island and is owned by Frenchman Jacques Lurton. The first whiff is the Cabernet Franc..cedary oak; as you work your way to the body..the Sangiovese takes over...velvety and smooth, some chocolate..returning to the nose..the Sangiovese is showing now..no sign of Monsieur de Gaulle anymore. Ripe fruits throughout..and I would have prefered the Cabernet to have remained more dominant( I believe they are increasing the amount for the 2005 vintage) BUT..the old story for me..1 or 2 glasses..then I need a break.. I drank it over 2 days( it held up without any problems).. would I buy it?..no...a one night stand..unless Sophie really begs me to... Points 17.5
PS.. I bought 4 bottles from this vineyard.. and started with the top wine.. the others are.. Bark Hut Road 2003 Majestic Plough 2004 Wally White 2005 I'll try not to moan.......
Robert has a wine shop..he has been in business for 15 years now..which is saying something in these days of Supermarkets etc.He had heard that one of the co-owners of Dowie-Doule, a vineyard in Australia, was coming to Europe for 10 days..and so he organised a tasting followed by a meal at a local restaurant.The project is the brainchild of 3 guys who own their own vineyards. Norm Doole, Drew Dowie and Leigh Gilligan are behind it all.It's rather like neighbours asking each other for some milk or sugar for the coffee..as they forgot to get it at the shops..They'll take and mix to make it work..and it does...the range is interesting..vibrant...and with potential...it is still early days yet..and you get the feeling there is more to come.
The wines that could be tasted were: Hooly Dooly White 2006...................Simply Sunshine Red 2005
Also available were the 2 wines that accompanied the meal I was asked to sit next to Drew Dowie ( because I speaka da lingo?.... or because of my wine experience?.. or maybe just because only the 2 of us understand Cricket?)
He is charming, talkative, down to earth..and it was a splendid evening.
The three course meal was accompanied by the Chenin Blanc 2006 and the Hooley Dooley Red 2004.
Dowie Doole Chenin Blanc 2006 The grapes are from 70 year-old vines. Pale straw in colour. Cut grass, some apple and pears on the nose. The palate shows tropical fruits and melon with excellent balance and length. Points 16.5
Dowie Doole Hooley Dooley 2004 The guys have come up with a fun easy drinking not too serious red blend that is just right. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Petit Verdot ( last 2 minimal) and is well oaked making it very drinkable. An aromatic nose dominated by ripe plums & cherries.. some spice and toasted oak. Again..on the palate..plums with chocolate and spice, well integrated oak and soft tannins. Points 16
The highlight of the evening was the Syrah Reserve 2004 Dowie Doole Shiraz Reserve 2004 Opaque black crimson colour with black crimson hue. Super nose...ripe plums and marzipan... herbs..and oak.The palate shows mouthfilling flavours of liquorice, white pepper, spices and vanilla. The tannins are soft and 'sweet'. Perfect balance..not OVERFAT as many Aussies are... this is a pleasure now...how long will it age?.. well..7-10 years with ease. Points 18
About a month ago Volker and myself went to the annual Künstler tasting in Hochheim..he has recently moved premises..now in a large villa...very posh.. There is always a guest 'vigneron'.. and this year it was Knipser..Rheinland-Pfalz. We waded though Künstler's Rieslings.. for me mouth-puckering at times (Volker is a better taster of these babies).. whether they will be worth the prices he now charges..we will have to wait and see. Knipser's selections were mainly Vintage 2004. and I was not overly impressed. In the middle of all the wines..one had stood out for us both ( was it the alcohol..or were our taste-buds still intact?). We split a 6 pack...and left.
Recently Volker asked me..if I had ever gotten some Knipser wine for him (DOH!!..his memory is going). I said we had purchased at the tasting. So..a couple of days after this conversation..my wife prepared some Sauerkraut and Liver Sausage at home..and a Riesling was required. Knipser Riesling Auslese Trocken Halbstück 2003 Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany This spends it's infancy in 600 Liter 10-Year-Old Oak Barrels. Citrus fruit aromas, melons and peaches, AND..petroleum!! ( I'm often seen down the local petrol station..inhaling) Ripe fruit, very clear definition, full, again citrus acidity but the fruit (Restsüße) just wraps it up to present a super Riesling...minerals and spices and a long finish make this a bargain ( about 15 Euros if I remember)
Frühburgunder is a clone of the Spätburgunder grape..a sort of 'early' Pinot. It is trickier to grow than it's big brother..and you probably won't find it outside of Germany.. only 130 hectares are grown.
J.J. Adeneuer Frühburgunder 2006 Ahr, Germany Pale rimmed..no denying it's what it is.. Family Pinot..this is good stuff.. sweet(as opposed to mouth puckering), full, velvety............tannin..forget it.. this is 100% juicy fruit..but more than a 'gulper'. Take this seriously..lots of harmony, some liquorice appeared..it is said these wines can age 6-8 years..and I can believe it..only trouble is.. this was the 5th bottle of a 6er pack!.. You know how it is..you go into the cellar.. something with pasta...or a cold platter.... and the long bottle is more visible than others.. anyway..that's my excuse.
Points 17
As we near the end of 2007...this vineyard was tops for price-quality..all 4 of the wines I drank were excellent in their price range.
I used to drink this often.. years & years & years ago... Torres was new to us then.. and had (still has) a great range. It has been a while since I tasted the Flagship wine.
Torres Mas La Plana 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Penedés , Spain Quite dark in colour; spicy oak.. with some vanilla; complex and balanced, brimming with black berry fruits Big tannic palate, but with fine sweet cassis fruit. Decant this as it still showed well the next day. Will go on improving..3-5 years. Points 17.5
My memory tells me this was a different mix all those years ago.. ...has the Cabernet Sauvignon increased over the years? These are now old-vines.
Drank over 2 days..firstly with some Smoked Salmon sandwiches.. then a day later with Sauerkraut.
Clear classic nose..trace of petroleum on the second day..but not too forthcoming... what you do get are some peaches; soft spices on the palate... this is where the wine gets plus points.. just so finely weighted... a real pleasure... at it's peak now... acidity integrated into the fruit. I wavered between 2 scores..so decided on Points 17.25
Bündner Herrschaft, Switzerland Clean fresh aroma of cherries.. plenty of finesse..tobacco...similar flavour..well-balanced..very well made and like any good wine... consistant from start to finish. Points 17
So why not more...this is supposed to be THE top Swiss Pinot. Well...give me Gantenbein anytime. This wine is not cheap..and for a third of the price I could buy one of the new-wave Spanish wines (which it reminded me of). I have stated previously.. I like my Pinot Noir/Spätburgunder to be 'Burgundian' in style... the Austrians have their own style.. and in this case..this Swiss winemaker and I are not completely compatible.
Can white man produce red indian?..this answer simply in this case..is no.
Cuilleron makes perhaps the one of the best Viognier in the whole world. His St. Joseph Rouge, is made entirely from Syrah, and vinified into three separate cuvees: "Les Pierres Seches", "Cuvee Prestige L'Amarybelle" and "Les Serines". About 25,000 bottles of the "Pierres Seches" are produced yearly
Domaine Cuilleron Saint Joseph Rouge 'Pierres Seches' 2001, Rhône, France
Tangy but giving nothing on the nose. Bright and crisp on the palate, but initially offers little in the way of texture or fruit flavour. Dry in the mouth...gave a little with airing and food...but not a glass you want to go back to...unless pushed....a bit boring..
What with the short holiday break..then the cold I had afterwards...there were bottles 'en masse' in the cellar to be tried. On top of that..couldn't do my Radio Show due to technical difficulties...so some form of compensation was needed...and after much thought I decided on one of the bottles I had purchased while in Baden. Weingut Wassmer Spätburgunder Rotwein 'R' 2004 trocken, Barrique Baden, Germany Decided to purchase this after reading that 'Gault Millau' had voted Fritz Wassmer as 'Find Of The Year 2005' Pale-rimmed (boring I know..but most are). VERY French in style...if I had tasted blind..I would have chosen Burgundy. Lovely strawberry nose..still reserved and should develope. On the palate much more to enjoy...really lovely mouthful of ripe fruit..silky & 'sweetish' as all good Pinot's are..but of course dry..just about the right weight—held beautifully as you roll it around...and the finish was long and capped a really good glass of my favourite grape. This is the first 2004 that I have raved about...and I have no choice but to give it Points 18.5
Checking out more about Herr Wassmer..he spent a long time in Burgundy learning about the grape..and had gotten to know someone who had worked with Domaine Romanee-Conti...so my first impression was about right..and he most definitely has a winner here.
The first time we found our 'little heaven' Gasthof Rebstock in Kappelrodeck-Waldulm......in October 2006..we spent 2 days..then in March it was 3...we decided on 4 this time..and after every visit we wanted to stay longer.Unfortunately, as before, our room was already booked.The only solution is to book for four weeks..and cancel when we have had enough..or until I have tried the whole wine-list.
'Rebstock' is run by Karl Hodapp...able assisted by his wife Sandra Stark..who gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday 18th October (Sebastian)..so she was not 'available' for our visit this time. The staff is excellent..and are having to work longer hours until she returns. The 'Gasthof' is open 6 days a week...also for lunch.. and throughout the day for tea, coffee or snacks. They have 11 rooms...our room number 11 has a view of the vineyards. Karl also 'oversees' his own vineyard..makes his own 'Brantwein'..but spends most of his time in the kitchen presenting top quality food at a fair price for the restaurant. On our last visit he kindly showed me his wine cellar.. and gave me a 'present'.. so I returned the favour after arriving.
I had tried the 2005 a couple of weeks ago..and decided to try the version from this great vintage in Baden. It is no longer available from the source, nor anywhere else... As to be expected, no real difference in style to the younger brother..but the vintage showing it's class.. Medium deep, brown rim; smoky, perfumed, fuller, a touch more fruit, dark cherries, still some tannin...what an excellent wine for a co-op...the old vines(Alte Reben) being around 30 years old. Points 17+
The vintage 2003 finally helped bring the Spätburgunder wines in Germany up alongside the top Pinot Noirs in the world.
October 24th 2007 Next day my wife & I walked for 3 hours along the forest ..then back and forth through the vineyards....the sun breaking up the clouds which had been hanging in the mountains. We sat and had lunch on a bench..with the 'Spätburgunder' grapes in full view... a gorgeous day....
Karl informed me the 'Spätlese' would be picked in about a week. My wife kept asking me 'technical' questions.. which I manged to just about answer..I think.. She knows all about herbs ands wild growths tho.. I tried to remember it all...
The wine-list had a few additions..some 2003 Red Burgundy( as in Baden..a great vintage) but maybe still too young..so I decided on the 1999 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 1999 Morey-Saint-Denis, Burgundy, France A 'very good' vintage in Burgundy. Medium deep, purple-rimmed. Strong smoky aroma, not especially refined. Sweetish opening on the palate.. but then some dry, if quite soft, tannins... slightly rustic briary characteristics made me think about its potential. Disjointed...will it harmonise or is this it? Plenty of structure, but not very generous at this moment.
Points 16.5
Our waiter for the evening is learning his trade.. he tried a glass.. and was not over enthusiastic either.
Dusk..and dinner awaits October 25th 2007 We wanted to visit one of the many seas in the mountains...but on arriving the mist was too thick..and it was pretty cold..so we descended..and found some more vineyards to wander through..(there are plenty).. After the slight disapointment of the previous evening.. I decided it was 'Back to Baden'..for this evening's wine...good decision Barry...
This is considered the best vineyard in the Kaiserstuhl which is where Ihringen is. This is a unique area in Germany in that the soils are mostly volcanic and Ihringen actually has the highest average temperature in all of Germany which makes it perfect for the ripening of Pinot Noir. Soft, so enticing bouquet, real Pinot class; quite full flavoured (14.5 %), but so delicately balanced..that you just don't notice the alcohol..jam & cream..this is superb.. Points 18
I finished off the whole bottle... and was disappointed there was not just a drop more.. always a good sign that I have had a great wine.
October 26th 2007 Last 'full' day...and I had found a wine shop to visit..usually a bore for my wife..but luckily she found a few 'extras' which they stocked... I purchased a mixed case of 6 bottles
Joseph Matrot Meursault-Blagny 1er Cru 1995, Meursault, Burgundy, France I love Meursault..and with some age..this is maybe worth the risk
Wassmer Spätburgunder 'R' trocken Barrique 2004, Baden, Germany One of the 'newcomers' in Baden..with a good reputation
Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Deidesheimer Hohenmorgen Riesling Spätlese trocken 1999, Rheinland Pfalz, Germany I like my Riesling RIPE..so hopefully this fulfills my needs.
Mattmann Pinot Noir 2004, Zizers, Switzerland, Along with Gantenbein..one of the top producers in Switzerland..not cheap...don't ask. Esporão Reserva 1999, Herade do Esporão Alentejo, Portugal Always reliable..been a while since I last tasted this...
Domaine Cuilleron Saint Joseph Rouge 'Pierres Seches' 2001, Rhône, France 'THE' Condrieu producer..but I have heard from friends that his 'Joseph Rouge' is well worth trying.
Above..OUR table.... What to drink on the last evening?..in the afternoon I was down in the cellar again...discussing with Karl Hodapp...we have similar opinions about wine...
As the wine list is so extensive..I try not to repeat-drink...and therefore decided to 'betray' the home wines.
Château La Nerthe, "Cuvée des Cadettes" 2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rhône Valley, France
Decanted. 14% Alcohol. Fairly deep ruby red colour. 'Fat' peppery nose..plenty of oak thrown into the mix...very good..explodes from the glass; quite velvety on the palate, soft tannins, fleshy & full, excellent concentration ....modern style..a crowd-pleaser..still youthful but quite drinkable.
Points 18
October 27th 2007
The usual good breakfast..then time to say goodbye..Karl kindly gave me a bottle of his own wine..vintage 2005 to try at home...we hate leaving..but the sooner you leave..the sooner you can return. I can't wait....
If my descriptions are not good enough, check out the video below.
Daughter and 'hubby' came round with a '''small''' selection of Sushi.
What to drink?.. something white with character and fruit.
Stadt Krems Gruner Veltliner Weinzierlberg 2006 Kremstal, Austria Sealed with the new glass closures. Enticing nose of fresh apples, minerally, smoke; spicy and fresh on the palate..
great match with the Sushi, perfect balance..and a good finish..one of the best GV I have tasted.
Points 16.5
After all that fish...we needed a red wine.
Urbezo Reserva 1999 Cariñena, Spain Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carinena and Merlot. I was excited after opening this.. I had caught a 'whiff' (always gets me going)... medium deep in colour with lightening brown rim; the promised eucalyptus that I had smelled.. was just about still there, some vanilla, smoky, the Cabernet aroma reminding me of wonderful Bordeaux. The taste..well..at first it seemed it could match the big intro I gave it..but the wine seemed to crash in the glass...became really very dry...and the aftertaste thatone would expect..just didn't happen. As with Riojas of this age.. I open and drink.. as I find they dry out as well...pity..maybe a younger version would show better as this Bodega is rated highly. Points 16
Gago 2003 Bodegas Telmo Rodriguez Toro, Spain 100% Tempranillo (Tinta de Toro) The wine is fermented in stainless steel, aged in tank, and bottled early to preserve its freshness. Quite deep purple colour; rich, full, enticing nose of black fruits and some smoke; front flavour of soft chewy tannins backed up with soft supple fruit. I am thinking 'port' as I drink...and check the back of the bottle. 15%!!...no wonder it is so sexy...but 1% less would have gotten it 1 point more. Size is not everything! Points 17
