by Bernard Roth » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:24 am
A few recent wines.
Dinner with Larry at Square One, food really excellent and large portions of adventurous CA cuisine:
2001 Müller-Catoir Haardter Bürgergarten Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken - Yeah, that's a real mouthful... Floral and tropical aromatics, very flavorful and minerally edge to the fruit, quince, dry pineapple, pear, bergamot and dry honey, good acid and slight sweetness, finishing with strong Canada Dry ginger ale flavor. Real impressive. 92
1990 Ch. Fonsalette Cuvee Syrah - Amazingly youthful, the wine retains some freshly crushed syrah aromas. Also, a bit of initial funk blows off within a few minutes of decanting. Although throwing some sediment, the initial taste supplies noticeable talc-like tannins. Nicely crafted, Hermitage-like (and better than many Hermitage), the wine is incredibly balanced, barely evolved, yet showing depth and complexity. Still on the upslope, it needs at least another 5 years, maybe 10. 94+.
Tonight with leftovers:
2000 Owen Roe Zinfandel (OR) - My first OR zin. Fresh crushed zinberry aromas. Light on its feet despite the advertised 15%. Tastes like sweet, young vine fruit, no overt oak, very tasty and delish, though not at all complex. Maybe a bit diluted on the midpalate, but a very nicely done lighter style zin. Drink up. 89.
Regards,
Bernard Roth