2009 J Pim Gruner Veltliner, Carnuntum
To start with a side note, I have to comment that the consistently excellent Momofuku Ssam, where I had this wine at, had outdone itself with stellar menu items during this go-around … very highly recommended for anyone looking for terrific and reasonably-inexpensive casual meal in the East Village. To add, my only previous pitfalls at Momofuku Ssam had always involved ordering a full-bottle that failed to match well with all the dishes that we ended up with. This time it was different. Our crisp mineral-laden wine was refreshing with green apple, lemon zest and hint of white pepper. It wasn’t always smooth, but I like it for that tinge of roughness that I perceived. Rather than say that this light-bodied quaffer was cleansing the palate, it more-or-less prepped it as we moved from one devoured dish to the next. Without question, Momofuku’s dishes were the stars tonight (and had always been), and just as Watts and Wyman would anchor great Stones classics with their distinctly understated, yet highly effective, rhythm section, this wine did the same with our dishes and took our dining experience a couple of notches higher. B+
2002 Domaine Alain Michelot Nuits St. Georges Vieilles Vignes
A nose that reminded me of a soft Hermitage with fresh meat, flower, and ripe black fruit. Lush, with acidity from ripe cherries, chewy with the still unresolved tannin, but a fine Burgundian Pinot. My primary takeaway with this wine was the good balance with the fruit, soft mouth feel, some earthiness and food-friendliness. I haven’t had any 2002 since release and although I’m still hesitant to pull more from my offsite storage, I keep my fingers crossed that this is an indication of better things to come from the wines from this vintage. At $17, a great qpr. A-
