So we pack up the llamas and start the trek south to a gathering at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rieslingfans to celebrate the end of the summer. After navigating the Mass Pike Municipal Parking Lot, getting stuck behind a student 18-wheeler driver, a c.1910 tractor, and some farm equipment hauling freshly picked tobacco (Are we in Chapel Hill?), we arrive at our destination.
We are greeted with a chilled glass of Alexander Gysler Bundle of Scheu Scheurebe (Rheinhessen) a fun, little bright sparkler.
Next we find Dr. Weiss uncorking an array of Marc Ollivier, Domaine de la Pepiere Clos des Briords Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine. Sweet! Well, not literally..
2000: The fruit has faded a bit, the palate is developing some creaminess, and the acidity is really nicely balanced with the salt spray and minerals. Very nice.
2001: Leaker. Damn those corks. A bit oxidized and flat but still actually pretty good
2002: Yummmy. This was co- white WOTN for me. Fresh, clean, crisp and everything playing happily together.
2004: I haven’t had this one since last year and it sure is good. The acidity isn’t quite as prevalent and the body seems slightly fuller. Even though it’s still pretty tight, it is ery refreshing.
2005: And I thought the ’04 was still tight. Yowzah. I’ve had this quite a few times recently and I know the acidity is pretty sharp, but having it with these other wines really makes it seem all the more edgy. I’m also picking up more of a bitter finish than in past tastes. It’s very good all the same
And off we go…Here is a snapshot of the rest of the wines, leaving the social commentary to others…
2005 Johannishof (Eser) Johannisberg “G” Riesling Kabinett (Rheingau)AP# 10 06. G = Goldatzel Vineyard. Yum. Very expressive nose, all kinds of tropical and red fruit flavor, excellent acidity and balance. This is pretty (very) large for a kabinett but it’s extremely tasty and is a nice summer porch wine.
1989 R. López de Heredia Viña Gravonia (Rioja) Golden colored, super honeyed, toffee nose. Great warm-toned nose, in fact. The mid-palate doesn’t have the depth of the Tondonia Reserva blanco but it’s very flavorful and well balanced.
2000 Huet Vouvray Pétillant Brut (Loire) Very appley and shut down compared to a year ago.
NV Eric Rodez Blanc de Noir Ambonnay Grand Cru Brut (Champagne) Bright, lively, strawberry and yeasty nose. Lots of plum and red fruit flavors and a long yeasty finish. Good stuff.
2000 Boxler Sommerberg Grand Cru Riesling (Alsace) “L31D” This is fantastic wine. Up there for white WOTN with the ’02 Pepiere. Everythihg I would want in an Alsatian riesling, rich nose, super minerality, great structure.
1998 Mann Schlossberg Grand Cru Riesling (Alsace) Tough to follow that Boxler. This is kind of disjointed so I’m back for another pour of Boxler.
2000 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling (Alsace) A sacrifice to allay concerns about potential bottle damage. Tight but seemingly sound.
2004 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard (Willamette Valley, Oregon) My first St. I. Smoky cherry, lots of herbs, a bit of cocoa, deep minerality and chewy tannins. While extremely primary, I really like this a lot and am looking forward to seeing how this develops.
1999 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard (Willamette Valley, Oregon) My second St. I. It took a lot of swirling but then these rich leathery, earthy aromas came out. Lots of dusty black cherry flavor with fine (compared to the ’04), chalky tannins. It seems like this wine is just beginning to wake up.
1996 Teófilo Reyes Tinto (Ribera del Duero) Big nose and flavor of sweet dark fruit and chocolate with a finish that fades off rather abruptly.
1976 R. López de Heredia Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva (Rioja) Super elegant, fragrant nose of dried flowers, dried fruit and old wood, soft mouth feel with very subtle flavors and finely integrated tannins. This is a wine that deserves to be enjoyed on its own.
2002 Mugneret-Gibourg Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy) This is tight. Big vanilla nose, dark fruit hiding in the background, and a bit disjointed finish
1999 Edmunds St. John Syrah Durell Vineyard (Sonoma County) Still a young pup. Huge dusty fruit, earth, tar, and herbs, quite tannic and powerful with great balance. Give it a few more years to get this most of out this wine.
1996 Muller-Catoir Mussbacher Eselhaut Rieslaner Spatlese (Pfalz) Ohhh dawggie. That’s some serious acidity. My taste buds are re-awakened or maybe burnt off.
1999 Wittmann Werthofener Steingrube Beerenauslese Spatburgunder (Rheinhessen) #023 00 I’m not sure if I have any taste buds left at this point but this wine is sweet, rich, and has decent enough acidity. Pretty good.
[Edited out a brain cramp]
