WTN: Germans, Loire, Burg, and corked Cali

2007 Donnhoff Riesling QbA.  Goes well with shrimps with serrano and a grain salad. Good acidity yet with a broad creamy mouthfeel, nice balance, fine for level. B/B+

2008 Chidaine "Choisilles" Montlouis
Lemon, rocks, rocking! This is a new cuvee to me, but I'll look for in future. Great match with some broiled flounder with mustard/thyme, with pimenton cauliflower and asparagus on the side. Fairly dry, sugar just a glimpse on the horizon, bright and vivid with. Floral, mineral, citrus. A-

2004 Kesseler "Rudesheime Bischofsberg" Riesling Spatlese GK
Quite sweet (easily Auslese I'd guess), but good acids. Fresh, but not exciting. B
 
I had an all day meeting Sunday (complicated by flooding all over Westchester), but came home to wondrous smells of brisket cooking. With beef carbonade, red cabbage, and potatoes with horseradish I opened the 2000 Edmunds St. John "Los Robles Viejos- Rozet Vineyard." Dark fruit profile, but lighter body, I want to like this, and would have except that after a bit I had to admit the Portugese Menace was present. Oh well. I quickly popped a half bottle of the 2006 Potel Morey St Denis Vieille Vignes. This was a bit tight, but half bottle didn't really last long enough to open up. Black cherry, earth, maybe a hint of barnyard,. Good but unremarkable. B/B-

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.

2008 Chidaine "Choisilles" Montlouis
Lemon, rocks, rocking! This is a new cuvee to me, but I'll look for in future..

I don't see this cuvee very often in the States but it's one of his older ones (i.e. before he acquired Bournais, Baudoin, etc). I remember it being racy, lively, and fun, just as you describe.

[David M. Bueker]

2008 Chidaine "Choisilles" Montlouis
Lemon, rocks, rocking! This is a new cuvee to me, but I'll look for in future..

I don't see this cuvee very often in the States but it's one of his older ones (i.e. before he acquired Bournais, Baudoin, etc). I remember it being racy, lively, and fun, just as you describe.

The '05 was around a few years ago. Haven't seen it locally since. I like this one a lot, especially since I know what I am getting (versus guessing with most of his other wines).

Shame to hear about the ESJ. Stupid TCA.

Donnhoff's QBAs are always such nice value for money, though I never have the patience to put them away even a year or two - usually end up drinking them all within a couple of months.

[David M. Bueker]

Donnhoff's QBAs are always such nice value for money, though I never have the patience to put them away even a year or two

I have some 2005 lurking around somewhere.

2008 Chidaine "Choisilles" Montlouis
Lemon, rocks, rocking! This is a new cuvee to me, but I'll look for in future..

I don't see this cuvee very often in the States but it's one of his older ones (i.e. before he acquired Bournais, Baudoin, etc). I remember it being racy, lively, and fun, just as you describe.

Thanks for the note, Dale. I like Chidaine's wines, but haven't seen this cuvee around, either.