WTN: Schlossed in the rain

We really didn't need more rain, but we got it anyway!

2005 Nigl "Privat" Gruner Veltliner (screwcap)
I'm apparently pretty insensitive to most reductive aromas, but did get a little sulphur and egg salad on opening this. But seemed to blow off (without any decanting or copper). Big, dry but with sweet fruit, white pit fruit, green pea, white pepper. Quite long, very appealing. Did a very nice job pairing with a slightly challenging dish, eggplant/artichoke/fontina panini. A-/B+

1996 Schloss Schonborn "Hochheimer Daubhaus" Riesling Spatlese
I liked this more than a recent bottle, but still not loving. Good acids, muted apple fruit, a hint of mineral. Just not a lot of excitement there. Did fairly well with a chicken/broccoli stirfry and rice with furikake. B-

2009 Schloss Lieser Riesling (screwcap)
A bit offdry, peaches, cherry and slate, medium acid, friendly. B

2010 d'Oupia Minervois rose
Full for rose, sweet cherries and strawberries, moderate acids, good length. Both this and the Schloss Lieser were good with a shrimp/pepper/rice noodle stirfry. B+

Nice for rain to end and to eat on patio.

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

Hi Dale -

Thank you for the interesting notes. Actually, I just had the 1996 Schönborn Spätlese, and mostly agree with your assessment of it:

1996 Schloß Schönborn Hochheimer Daubhaus Riesling Spätlese
From 1L bottle; Daubhaus is a Großlage. Medium-bodied, round, well balanced, lightly sweet, with moderate acidity; mostly baked apple and vanilla notes, with a bit of minerality. Good/very good – not a standout wine, perhaps, but I’m actually happy with this showing by a 15 year old Grosslage Riesling from a good, but not great, vintage. If one of the Darting liter Rieslings was showing this well 15 years later, I would be just as impressed with it.
Nowadays, this would probably be labeled as an "Estate" Riesling, without any mention of the Grosslage.

Although my experiences with Schloß Schönborn have been a mixed bag, it sounds like they may be turning the corner. Lyle Fass has been quite positive about them lately in his blog.