I was out with friends the other night in search of a nightcap. I wasn’t expecting much in the way of delicious wine, but as fate would have it we were randomly led to an Italian restaurant with a very worthwhile list. Naturally I had free reign for our party.
We started with the 2010 Jermann Vinnae Ribola Gialla which was direct and clear-of-purpose, but with a pleasing plump grip that soothed the crowd into their surroundings and kept them chatty.
Before people got too comfortable, I then chose the 2005 Hirsch Zobinger Heiligenstein Riesling which was a fresh bracing wakeup call. I was actually expecting something richer, given the year, but I guess Heiligenstein is often on the crisp elegant side? For my tastes it was fun to slide up and down this soft razorwire wine, but the crowd wanted more flesh on the bones.
So, our last nightcap was the 2009 Coenobium Rusticum which is a wine I often love but I don’t think I’ve ever had one even with a few years of age, so I was curious. Indeed, the flavors were riper and the structure was fleshier than on the Hirsch. But there was still plenty of vibrancy and the kaleidoscope of tactile textures got increasingly interesting as we finished the bottle.
Something for everyone!
