WTN: '01 and '05 Germans and ESJ Rosé - all winners

[David M. Bueker]

• 2001 Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese #18 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/28/2008)
  The bottle was a slight leaker, so I figured it should be opened. Well I am glad I did, as it was magical. Still plenty of apple and orange fruit, but also a smoky/creamy element, and a decadent mouthfeel. It was served along side a smoky hummus dip, and worked really well. The acidity and sweetness were perfectly balanced, giving the wine a somewhat sweet entry, but a clean, nearly dry, smoky finish. The four of us finished the whole bottle in about 20 minutes. Fantastic.
• 2005 Vollenweider Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/28/2008)
  Apple and citrus fruit combines with salty minerals and acidity propped up by some CO2 spritz. There's good richness and some creaminess, but the acidity and CO2 keep this on the very lively and refreshing side.
• 2006 Edmunds St. John Gamay Bone-Jolly Rose Witters Vineyard - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County (3/28/2008)
  Served with a egg, cheese and ham pie (not really a quiche - richer and looser), this was a very nice accompaniment to brunch-type dinner. There's still lots of strawberry fruitiness and the freshness of the acidity played off the richness of the eggs and cheese. The saltiness of the ham also worked very well with the wine. Delicious as usual.

2001 Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese #18[/url] - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/28/2008)
... Still plenty of apple and orange fruit, but also a smoky/creamy element, and a decadent mouthfeel.

This does not sound like your run of the mill Auslese - Is this some special one?

(thanks for the TN BTW - you give me back some hope / I have so far run out of luck with my 2001s ...)

[David M. Bueker]

2001 Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese #18[/url] - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (3/28/2008)
... Still plenty of apple and orange fruit, but also a smoky/creamy element, and a decadent mouthfeel.

This does not sound like your run of the mill Auslese - Is this some special one?

(thanks for the TN BTW - you give me back some hope / I have so far run out of luck with my 2001s ...)

There were two 2001 Meulenhof Treppchen Auslesen in 2001 (at least), and this is the non-gold-capsuled, but kind of gold capsule one (to paraphrase Terry Theise). So not really a run of the mill auslese, but given that Meulenhof is second tier overall I think a very fine showing.

As for 2001, I have had quite a bit of luck at the kabinett level, a little at the spatlese level, and a very few open for business auslesen. I think we're dealing with an angry adolescent vintage. When the wines are open they are truly great. It's just taking time. I'm pretty much trying every single bottling I bought (unless I only have one or two bottles) to see where they stand.