WTN: Friday afternoon sips

• 2007 Sepp und Maria Muster Sgaminegg - Austria, Styria, Südsteiermark (5/27/2011)
  A blend of Morillon (Chardonnay) and Sauvignon Blanc; c. 50€. Obviously aged at least partly in new wood. But if I have to drink something with new wood in it, this would be my choice - I felt less an allergic reaction to this than to most strongly oaky wines! In fact, it smelled like a good red Bordeaux about a decade old: blackcurrant leaf and oak aromas are to the fore. In a black glass, I am quite certain I would have guessed it were a red wine. Rich, ripe palate with some lift (something I'm sure I would call Cabernet lift if this had been served in a black glass), but very nice and strong acidity. Not my type of wine, but at least here I can appreciate intellectually though not hedonistically.
• 2008 Domaine Antugnac Limoux Aux Bons Hommes - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Limoux (5/27/2011)
  70% Merlot, 20% Cab Franc, 10% Syrah. A really enjoyable little wine. Sweet and ripe, slightly gamy fruit. Rich but with good acidity and enough tannin that the sweetness associated with richness doesn't become too much. Very fresh finish. It's not something that I will talk about to any hypothetical future grand-children as one of the great wines of my life, but it is an uncomplicated drop of well-made joy.
• 2009 Bolfan Libertin Riesling Zlatar - Croatia, Adriatic Coast (5/27/2011)
  Rajnski Rizling; 12,5% abv; Polusuho Vino = semi-dry, but I have no idea how much sugar there is. This has a very pure Riesling aroma, very floral, less steely but still reminiscent of some dry Pfalz Rieslings I have had (Biffar came to mind immediately). Seems more dry than semi-dry to me, but it is perhaps a touch soft and easy. Not much of a finish to talk about. But not bad at all (though I have no idea about the price).
• 2009 Domaine Loew Gewurztraminer Cormiers - France, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, Alsace AOC (5/27/2011)
  13,5%, indice de sucrosité 3/10. The Cormier Pinot Gris and Gewurz are always the richest wines that Loew makes. This has a strong rosewater and spice aroma, lacking somewhat in elegance (in comparison to Loew's other Gewurz at least). Rich, slightly sweet, adequately structured for the grape, refreshing finish. It is perfectly decent, maybe even very good, but it does need age.
• 2010 Domaine de Blanes Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Muscat Sec - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes (5/27/2011)
  13,5% abv. As in most years, this begins to shine after a day or three open! It smells grapey and mineral and has all the fun of a good Moscato d'Asti. But this is fully dry, powerful and rich. It doesn't seem to have great acidity, but somehow it still seems balanced. Nice!

Posted from CellarTracker