WTN: 1989 Riesling and Laurel Glen Sauvignon Blanc

With my friends Joe and Donna accompanying shrimp with chiles and risotto

1989 "Klaus' Schloss Schonborn (Auslesse) Cork crumbled and disintegrated....poured through cheesecloth to obtain drinkable wine. A lovely, lovely golden color. Palate is classic "petrol" and tropical fruit (pineapple???) delicious earthy/savory edge, and the petrol is really there on the finish. Donna and I enjoyed this, Joe does not like "sweet" wines, though, so wasted on him.

2014 Laurel Glen "Counterpoint" Sauvignon Blanc. From Winemaker Randall Watkins' family tiny vineyard in the Russian River Valley. This was a lovely SB. Not grassy or New Zealandish "cat pee" . Some tropical fruit but also some stony notes that are quite attractive. Good acidity, but there was also a lovely creaminess on the finish that was very appealing and somewhat unusual for SB. Went very, very well with the risotto dish! This was an "experiment" for Laurel Glen, and a quite nice one!

[David M. Bueker]

Good result on the Riesling. Schloss Schonborn was rather inconsistent since about 1983.

Good result on the Riesling. Schloss Schonborn was rather inconsistent since about 1983.

My experience with Riesling (especially aged ones!) is so limited that I may be liking it more than the experts here would!

But I thought it was delicious, which ultimately is all that matters.

Brian: Will Laurel Glen be continuing the Counterpoint SB? you called it an experiment.. Have enjoyed a number of Laurel Glen Counterpoint cabs over the years and was not previously aware they were offering an SB as well

thx, jon

Brian: Will Laurel Glen be continuing the Counterpoint SB? you called it an experiment.. Have enjoyed a number of Laurel Glen Counterpoint cabs over the years and was not previously aware they were offering an SB as well

thx, jon

Don't know, Jon. They did not say. All I can say is it was very small production (from their winemaker's family vineyard). It was a big hit at the wine club party this summer, so based on that limited sample, I might guess they will do it again.

AND...it just so happens Randall Watkins offers a 2013 (not 2014) from the family estate here. Not sure if it is the same vineyard, but he seems to be a very talented winemaker, so...

http://www.watkinsfamilywinery.com/sauvignon-blanc.html

thx Brian, appreciate the feedback,
jon