- 2006 Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe (2022-04-30)
Deep golden in colour, there's a wash of mainly tropical fruit and lime on the lovely nose. More mango, peach and slight lime on the medium, fairly sweet palate. Not the ultimate in complexity, but the fruit and acid have integrated very well, so that there is both depth and elegance. Some botrytis notes too here on the slightly viscous texture. Delicious now, and will last many years. (A-) - 2017 Martin's Lane Vineyard Riesling Simes Vineyard - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley (2022-04-28)
A greenish yellow hue. A mix of citrus and stonefruit - mainly the former - on the nice, classic nose. Nice acidity, a nice dry riesling and balanced very well with a kiss of RS. Mainly limes, green apples, a bit of pear on a crisp, refreshing and long finish. Nice depth on the medium bodied palate. Expensive for a BC riesling, but I have to say this is a top example - this is a well crafted wine that tastes the most Germanic of any BC wine I've had. (A-) - 2017 Domaine Pascal Aufranc Chénas En Rémont Vignes de 1939 - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Chénas (2022-04-27)
Rather dark in colour for a Beaujolais (although that is changing certainly), with cherry, raspberry and plum, earthy notes and some granite minerality on the nose. Smooth on the medium bodied palate, with more earthy cherries, plums and a very slight green and orange peel note. There's good concentration here, some ripe but slightly scratchy tannins to give it some structure and enough acid to keep it fresh despite its power. A nice long finish on the second night open. A big but not overripe Cru Beaujolais. (A-) - 2011 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett halbtrocken - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (2022-03-29)
More trocken than halbtrocken, but that isn’t a criticism. This delightful, refreshing wine is at a place where all the elements have fused into a cool mountain stream type riesling that has citrus, mint and slight apple notes. Really wonderful now, but should last quite a while. Pure and crystalline. (A-) - 2015 Peter Lehmann Riesling Wigan - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley (2022-03-25)
Had a bottle of this last week. I had high expectations, but they weren't really met. This was a nice bottle, but didn't quite have the spark and intensity I was hoping for. Light to medium bodied, not quite as dry as expected (but certainly not off dry) with mainly citrus notes. Maybe its shut down or too young? Or maybe this vintage wasn't as good as some previous vintages? Have a couple extra bottles and will hope for the best. (B+) - 2012 Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru Extra Brut Les Parcelles - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (2022-03-16)
Drinking very well now. Nice mix of vinous, rich flavours, acidity, toast, and minerality here. Great now, but will last too. (A-/A) - 2016 Famille Perrin / Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras (2022-03-13)
This was the penultimate vintage I bought - this wine was and is an excellent QPR where I live, and has great consistency. I have found they last longer than expected. This bottle was in great shape, and yes, perhaps a little modern as some previous notes have suggested, but there is also great typicity and a well balanced offering in this vintage, with mainly red fruits, nice acid and tannins to give it a lift. A solid Vacqueyras ready now or in several years. (B+/A-) - 2020 La Frenz Riesling Clone 49 - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley (2022-03-08)
Quite young still, and disjointed on the first night. The next night it has come together a little bit more. Orange, petrol and mint on the light nose, and orange popsicle, lemon and some saline/minerality on the light to medium bodied, very dry, rather austere but interesting riesling. Give this time. (B+) - 2019 Quails' Gate Estate Winery Riesling B.M.V. - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley (2022-03-06)
This very dry Riesling is more about acid and minerality than fruit. Nice concentration and intensity, and there is some citrus, mainly lemon and lime. Nice now, but should age well too. (A-) - 2003 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (2022-03-05)
I've had considerable variation in the past. This was was somewhere in the middle - very good, but not the wow wine the last bottle was. Smooth, well balanced and fairly rich, but not OTT. Some gamy notes, but not as much as the last bottle; nice long finish. (A-) - 2014 Trapiche Malbec Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Gualtallary (2022-02-25)
Had this a few days ago. Not a big malbec fan, but this was a very good version of Mendoza malbec. More elegance, balance and savory notes than usual. Nice now but should last a while. (A-)