Recent content by Gene Vilensky

Ahh, I apologize. I had misunderstood your post to imply that the Steiner Hunds don't age well. I now see that it was just an aside that that particular bottle was oxidized, not a statement that they don't age as well as Wachau Smaragds. I think the 97 is the oldest Steiner Hund I've had. Most...

Kirk, I'm a bit surprised by your note. I had the 97 within a couple days of you and I thought it was a perfectly aged Austrian Riesling with absolutely no hint of oxidation and many great years of lovely drinking ahead of it. Of course, there could certainly be a bit of bottle variation with...

Brother Dentice, didn't you have this happen to your 01 EM Scharz Auction GKA as well, that I had convinced you to buy from HDH a few years back?

Nov 10-14. You?

Thanks, Levi! Both of these look divine!

Kirk, I booked Rebelot for Sunday lunch (I believe they're open for dinner as well) and Ratana for dinner. Both seemed to be well-reviewed, fwiw.

My first post in a long time... I've already asked some of you in person for Milan advice, but Brother Dentice's inspirational Paris sermon reminded me that perhaps I should post to the broader disorderly community. What are your favorite places to eat in Milan? We'll be there for a couple days...

Canlis is amazing. Wear a blazer and get a seat by the table. Excellent list. Had ravioli stuffed with brocoli and cheddar. Like if 1950's housewife broccoli casserole were made by a Michelin starred chef. Sitka and Spruce, Walrus and Carpenter, and most importantly, Spinasse, are turning out...

I've been drinking through a bottle of 07 Untersternbersch with the Coravin over the past two weeks. In my mind, Florian can do no wrong and I generally do think his 08's were stronger than 07's but wow, that 07 is a bruiser. It's not what I would describe as shut down; it's just that its weight...

Fair enough. I do wonder, actually, if people honestly give a thumbs up or down each time they try a Donnhoff at least 12 years of age, what the statistical evidence would show. My guess is that you wouldn't think it ages better or less than most producers.

She was the one who volunteered the info about Babiole being Gamay. I asked, "what's new and interesting that I should try" and she said, "try this amazing Gamay from the Rhone". Anyway, I'm sure she's a lovely person and her taste in wine is excellent. But that's not enough to be a great or...

Not a chemist, but... 1) heat damage sometimes isn't apparent for a while. So conceivable that it hasn't been long enough since 2003 yet. 2) bottles exposed to heat can have their cork seals broken and the wine oxidizes faster. Not heat damage per se, but it's a consequence of heat. Leaking...

Is that what happened with those Donnhoffs?

I don't know what Gamay from the Rhone tastes like, never having tried it. It did definitely taste like a Syrah, Carignan, Grenache blend from the Rhone! But that's not much of a novelty.

2009 Andrea Calek "Babiole"