Dipping further into the amphibial supply, I opened a Frog’s Leap 2014 Napa Valley Heritage Blend Red Table Wine. From the Rossi vineyard, this is about two-thirds rustic and juicy old vine Charbono with structure provided by Petite Sirah, plus some Valdiguie, Carignan, and Riesling. At 10, this is bright and lively and shows no sign of decline, with good intensity and substantial mouthfeel that belies its 12.4 abv, and probably more accessible than it was on release, though I can’t find a note on my first bottle. A seriously old-school California delight.
A couple of nights ago, I had the idea of pairing an Auslese with a smoked trout pasta, so opened the first of three Joh. Jos. Prüm 2012 Mosel Riesling Auslese, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. A little seepage but seems like an intact wine: very pale color, clean and intense stone fruit with a flinty edge and a long, creamy finish that shows some spice in the last glass. Perceptible sweetness is modest enough that this pairs well with the savory dish. I don’t know if the dozen years has begun to round off the edges, but the flavor profile is still young enough that I suspect this is only going to become more interesting; at the moment, it’s very good but not profound.
