WTN: 2 Rieslings, plus '96 Prieure Lichine

Sunday we took out a couple of close friends to dinner (they had both had birthdays not too long ago). We went to Belle Havana near the Yonkers waterfront. Nice and fun place, and food was good. I enjoyed my mussels with banana leaf and saffron/lime butter. In the main course sweepstakes I did ok with the skirt steak with a chimichurra sauce and mashed yuca, but Betsy did better with the lechon asada, one of the better pork dishes I've had in years.

With the appetizers Dave got beer, Betsy a mojito, I ordered a glass of Chenin. It was sold out, so I got a glass of a 2007 Torrontes. Its too bad I lost my little note on the name, as I quite enjoyed -much better than the otherr recent Torrontes I had. This one had a delicate floral note, somewhat Muscat meets Gerwurztraminer, but with a lovely acidic spine and a definite mineral note.

I had double-decanted a bottle of 1996 Prieure Lichine (Margaux) in the afternoon (after confirming corkage policy). We had recently had a discussion with Dave and Lenore about how long we were friends, it seemed clear we met in '95 but really became friends in '96. So I wanted to toast some friends through thick and thin with a '96 (Betsy thinks I'm sentimental). OK, maybe there would have been better choices. A little floral topnote, ripe red plum fruit, a little earth. Just a whiff of vanilla. More mature and ready than most '96 Left Bank wines. Not especially long. Certainly pleasant enough,but reinforces general impression that Margaux as a whole doesn't match up to the northern Medoc. B/B-

Monday I had a glass of the 2006 Loosen Dr. L Riesling with vegetarian tacos. A hint of spritz, clean apple and peach, a little honeysuckle, a bit sweeter and rounder than my preference. I'd like a bit more acidity. Left for a speech, afterwards had another half glass. Spritz is gone (and I think I miss it). Still needs a little acidic verve. B-

Tonight I had some Aidell's andouille with leftover veggies. I eyed the Loosen, but wanted something more exciting. So unscrewed the 2005 Josef Leitz Rüdesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett. Nice nectarine and yellow plum fruit, zippy acidity, a nice minerally finish. Bigger sweeter styled Kabinett that is very good with food. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency

The Torrontes, was it Crios de Balbo?

[David M. Bueker]

Prieure-Lichine was in the midst of a long down period in 1996. I would certainly not judge Margaux on its performance.

Prieure-Lichine was in the midst of a long down period in 1996. I would certainly not judge Margaux on its performance.

As I said, it reinforced my general impression. I liked the '96 Palmer, but it is not up to the level of equivalent level northern Medocs from vintage. I thought Rausan-Segla, du Tertre, and Issan were all ok, but not exciting. Marquis de Terme is the only Margaux I've had where it seems a strong vintage (compared to their norm). I'd still say Margaux did better than Right Bank, but not by the huge gap that exists with Pauillac, St Julien, and St Estephe.