1998 Jadot Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses
Starts off a bit shy but over several hours of air it shows deeper and deeper layers of suave velvet. During some intermediary stages it shows a bit heavy and bulky in the middle but by the end of the night it has the gorgeous firm suave grip that demonstrates why we drink wine!
2000 Denis Mugneret Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Saint-Georges
In the beginning this is a light elegant thread of a wine. Lovely delicate silk that dances across the palate in a very coherent manner. With air it deepens and broadens and at times shows the fuller earthy bass notes that make me think of NSG. At other times it tilts towards soft and cracking up (which I suppose is evidence of the vintage?). But just when I get worried there is also evidence of fine firm tannins and by the end it is gorgeous dark firmish elegant silk. Not a blockbuster wine but it showed a lot of faces and most of them were pretty darn pleasurable. No complaints from me!
1998 Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling Abtsberg Spätlese
Smells like what I call the stereotypical “cumin-spiced brisk verdant cucumber juice” that I identify with Grünhäuser. As it is a spätlese the brisk spicy cucumber juice has a golden tint and the flavors are plenty fun (for those who like this sort of stuff). But, the palate tilts dull and doesn’t quite dance for me the way the following wine does.
1996 Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling Abtsberg Spätlese
Similar flavor profile as on the above 1998, but with a better combination of juicy palate and firm structure. Less of the rusty cumin-spice that was in the 1998 and more of a firm anise/curranty core as well as more of a layered and textured body. This is livelier, more structured, more fun, and much more worthy of drinking. At least for me at this moment. Gorgeous.
2004 i Clivi Collio Goriziano Brazan
Lovely round juicy and firm yellow golden fruits that have just the right amount of succulence and grip and mineral drinkability to go down very quickly with our risotto. I thought these wines were supposed to be difficult when young? Not this one.
2001 Mayr-Nusser Südtiroler Lagrein Riserva
Porky and berry and bright and light. We also drank this with risotto once the Clivi was empty. Not quite as life-affirming as the easily-gulpable Clivi but for those who like red wine with a bright tart porky berry profile (and I have been known to enjoy that style), this has its charms.