WTN: GV, Saar, Pomerol, CdP, Paso Robles

Saturday with a NE boiled dinner (corned beef, turnips, potatoes, cabbage and carrots) the 2006 Glatzer "Dornenvogel" Gruner Veltliner
(Carnuntum). Citrus and apple, a little white pepper and herb. Maybe a touch rounder than my preference, but a decent inexpensive GV. However, Betsy is thumbs down, so not buying more. My B/B-

We have a good friend from NC as a house guest for a couple of days, invited a couple of other friends over for a nice dinner. Sarah is vegetarian, so Betsy delved into the Greens cookbook and came up with a very tasty enchiladas rojos dish, along with lobio (Georgian black beans, from a recipe from a Russian violinist friend) and a salad. Nancy brought a sweet potato with jalapeno soup.

Not exactly wine friendly. My default in these situations is usually off-dry Riesling, so went with the 2006 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Kabinett. Excellent acidity, limeade accented with a light tropical note. Some mineral, hint of petrol. Great length for a kab. Nice texture in mouth. I like this a lot. A-/B+

Food match be damned, I knew that all of our guests are primarily red drinkers. So had a couple on table:

1990 Ch. Bourgneuf (Pomerol)
I thought for a second this was corked as I decanted, but whatever funk there was blew off. Red currant and plum fruit, just a hint of the '90 roasted thing. Some cedar, earth. With time a darker note emerges, some licorice on top of darker fruit. Good for level. B+

2002 Tablas Creek "Cotes de Tablas" (Paso Robles)
This is really showing the Grenache, all ripe red fruit and grenadine. Some tannins, very sweet fruit, could use a little more acidity. I've liked other vintages of this a bit more. B

2005 Nobles Roches Chateauneuf-du-Pape
New producer to me. More ripe red fruit, a bit more acidic, and a bit less depth than the Tablas Creek. Some herb, short finish. This would be a decent CdR, a bit lacking as a CdP. B/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.

Marcia and I just had a half bottle of the 05 Zilliken Rausch Kabinett with a vegetable and cheese fritatta. The food/wine match was not so good, but the wine was delicious. The nose was a bit reticent because of the temperature (it came right out of the fridge), but there definitely was lime. The taste was a tangy mix of apricots, lime and honey. Excellent balance, and so easy to drink, like a juice, good thing it was a 375 or else, even at only 8% alcohol, I wouldn't be writing right now.

Zilliken is becoming one of my favorite producers. Say hi to Marcia for us!

Dale,
I too love the wines from Zilliken. I like their style. I have had both the Kabinett and Spatlese from 2006. Very full flavors of citrus and honey, with nice crisp acid.

Michael

Dale,
PS Have you had any of the Dr. Wagner wines from Saarburger Rausch? They are pretty tasty too.

Michael

Marcia and I just had a half bottle of the 05 Zilliken Rausch Kabinett with a vegetable and cheese fritatta. The food/wine match was not so good, but the wine was delicious.

hi oslwaldo! i also have this issue that the food i tend to eat is rather southern in style and does not go with my favourite wines. i have found the following solution: water with food and wine as a dessert!

Hi, Jean, funnily enough, when we finished Marcia asked if I wanted any dessert and I pointed to the glass and said "no, thanks, this is it!"

Zilliken is becoming one of my favorite producers.

Dale,
if you like Zilliken then you definitely should try Egon Muller. And don't be put off Muller's prices. His wines are worth the money. For example his '05s are otherwordly, it's like entering Elysium..
Cheers,
Dieter