- 2004 St. Urbans-Hof Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spätlese feinherb - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (2/21/2015)
Golden yellow in colour. This feinherb really hits the right notes, not too sweet, not too dry, quite complex with mango, papaya, mint, pineapple, slate and lime on the nose and palate. Great acidity and intensity through the long finish. Great now but will last many years. (A-/A) - 2002 La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (2/21/2015)
Opening an older bottle of chablis is always like playing a non-lethal game of Russian Roulette: thankfully no premox with this, my last bottle of this wine! Just starting to gain secondary notes, there some light butterscotch and truffle notes on the medium bodied palate. A little lighter than some grand crus, but a well balanced, nicely concentrated and mineral laced wine with plenty of time left (if premox doesn't get it). We really enjoyed this bottle last night. (A-) - 2001 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (2/18/2015)
Didn't take notes, but there were two major flavours: it was like sucking on both a lemon and a stone at the same time. Not much complexity, but it was the intensity provided by the well integrated acidity and minerality that really gave this wine 'pop' and a long finish. Didn't have the richness or funky flavours usually found in most Savennieres, but a lovely wine nonetheless. Not a hint of oxidation either! (A-) - 2008 Sacred Hill Syrah Deer Stalkers - New Zealand, North Island, Hawkes Bay (2/15/2015)
Another impressive showing. Didn't take notes, but this had a nice plush texture, nice balance, and a mix of red (mainly) and black fruit. No rush, but I'd drink up fairly soon. (A-) - 2010 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Terrunyo Block Las Terrazas - Chile, Maipo Valley, Pirque (2/8/2015)
Dark ruby and purple in colour. Nice deep and complex cab nose of blackfruits, tobacco, black licorice and brown sugar. Similar flavours on the medium to full bodied on the velvety palate with nice acid and smooth tannins. Great balance. On the modern side, but I was very impressed with this young Chilean cab; nice now but should improve. (A-) - 2002 Andrew Will Sorella - USA, Washington (2/1/2015)
Decanted for 2 hours. Didn't take notes, but the nose on this wine was beautiful and complex. The medium-full bodied palate was also outstanding, with both great elegance and considerable power. Time has mellowed out the fruit nicely to create a well integrated wine. Nice now but will last. (A-) - 2000 Disznókő Tokaji Aszú 4 Puttonyos - Hungary, Tokaji (1/27/2015)
Didn't take notes, but this was a solid but not outstanding Tokaji. Not much complexity, but there was a nice balance and a hint of oxidation on an off-dry, medium bodied palate. Not quite as nice as the last bottle. (B/B+) - 2010 Neudorf Riesling Moutere - New Zealand, South Island, Nelson, Moutere (1/25/2015)
Hazy notes from last night. Nice floral and citrus nose, very classic riesling, and then a medium-bodied palate with lime, apple and pineapple. Finished drier than the nose would suggest, more dry than off dry, with nice acidity. Somewhat simple, but a solid, well made wine with good intensity that went well with the cod and vegetable bake dinner. (B/B+)