So a plan for a Vietnamese squid salad fell to the side when I realized that not only were we out of rice sticks, but I forgot to get sprouts. So instead I started improvising a squid/bokchoy stirfry, and thought I'd open a 2005 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Spatlese. Wow, I expect 2005s to be big/ripe, but this is huge and sweet. I keep pondering this and eventually look at label. Well, no wonder, I just opened the 2005 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Auslese (#11). Oops. Big tropical (mango meets pineapple) fruit, an herby note, strong acids. Gets more peachy/floral with air. Good wine, though I intended to age this one, oh well. B+
The Auslese was a bit much on its own (and actually a bit much with meal), so I opened a 2008 Foillard Morgon Cote du Py. A bit tight, some time in decanter really lets it blossom. Somewhat sappy cherry fruit, 5-spice, cocoa. Nice length, good acidity. Holds well over night. B+
With grilled chicken (soaked in a kecap manis based marinade), Chinese style pickled radishes, and red cabbage, the 2009 Edmunds St John "Bone Jolly-Witter's Vineyard" Gamay rose. Just a lovely vintage of this, cherry and strawberry fruit, just a hint of herb (sage?), nice length, bright and food friendly (this meal needed it!). B+
I liked all the wines, though obviously incredibly different.
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.