A few bottles with Spencer and Eli on Saturday night with some good cheeses and guinea hen last night.
1997 Erich Salomon/Undhof Riesling Reserve Kremser Kögl
In a really good place right now. Mature burnished, smoky and creamy flavours layered with ripe citrus and stone fruits, all conveyed in a medium weight package that's got fantastic depth, precision and balance.
1997 Weingut Robert Weil Kiedricher Gräfenberg Riesling Spätlese
Lightly corked - still showing some sweetness and fruit, but there's a musty TCA note that ruins it.
2007 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny "Clos"
Another outstanding bottle. Fragrant, complex and incredibly finessed with layers of fresh red and dark fruits, green forestal and herbal elements and some iodine notes in a silken-textured, medium weight package. This is drinking incredibly well with some air, and it's a wine I should find more of
1988 Lemenicier Cornas
Starts out feeling a little old and faded, but really picks up with some air. There's some gentle, mature red fruit in the background but it's all about developed gamey, leathery, bloody and iron flavours right now. Really nice with some air, showing pretty much everything I'd expect from an aged Northern Rhone.
2004 Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Ursules
Surprisingly there's barely any greenness here. There's a core of bright dark berried fruit framed by savoury earth, gentle herbal elements and a bright floral topnote with the acidity keeping it really refreshing and light on its feet. Drinking really nicely now, and a pleasant surprise.
2007 Albino Rocca Barbaresco DueMilaSette
Remarkably accessible for a young Barbaresco. Was expecting something with a ton of tannin, but it's surprisingly finessed with the tannins quite fine grained and fresh dark fruited flavours seasoned with tarry, spicy and floral elements. Still very primary, but very enjoyable.