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On Thursday I received an e-mail:
Are you free for dinner on Saturday? We have lots of exotic fruit. Mike Lawton
How could I say no?
Also lured out by the promise of fruit were Trung and Martha, Rey and Juliette, Charles and Glenna, and PMAC.
2004 Rebholz Im Sonnenschein Spatlese Troken: This was a gift from Georg that I wanted some of the German wine geeks to try. This is the fourth bottle of Rebholz that I have tasted in the last month. I find the dry mineral profile of Riesling more appealing than that of the sweeter styling (unless it is intended as a dessert wine). The weight of this wine was nice as well; it lets you know that you are drinking it.
1995 P. Moncuit Cuvee Nicole: This is everything that you want a Blanc de Blanc to be. The medium yeast and toast were classic, and the rambunctious palate was carried by the healthy acidity.
1990 J.J. Prum Bernkasteler Johannisbrunnchen Riesling Eiswein (Magnum): At first sight of this bottle, I thought that we were doing a missile launch, but then I realized that this was an ultra-prized magnum of Prum Eiswein. It was strikingly dark in the glass, which made me nervous, but the nose and palate were in excellent shape. It was an interesting wine to try: very sweet, but fruit sweet as opposed to sugar sweet. The acidity was high, but not searing. The terror appeared as a flighty aurora borealis, flashing and then disappearing below the horizon of sweetness. There viscosity was, as youd imagine, quite thick, and yet, it wasnt hard to drink more than a glass (usually a problem for me with really viscous dessert wines). I really appreciated how the finish reappeared for an encore after it seemed to end. Very unique and great to try. Oh, and the AP number ended in 92!
2000 Weinbach Gewurztraminer "Cuvee Laurence": This is a giant of a Gewurztraminer. It screams for food to chase it. Ooof.
1998 Donnhoff Schlobckelheimer Kupfergrube Spatlese: Very nice typical Donnhoff. It drank easy and didnt last long. As I alluded to in my Rebholz note, I prefer Riesling to be dry, but there is nothing wrong with a fun tropical Donnhoff every so often.
2004 Faiveley Clos Vougeot: This was closed tight as a drum. I thought that a Clos Vougeot might be more approachable, but this was guarded by heavy, bitter, tannin. Kind of a waste to drink so young. Oh well.
2006 Nomadic Pinot: Apparently made by Levi? I thought the nose was very refined and elegant. The palate wasnt overripe, but still fairly sweet. A lot better than I could make. Good work, Levi.
1995 Cappellano "Otin Fiorin" Barolo: Cappellano did well in 1995. As expected from the vintage, there wasnt much fruit, but the tannin was chewy and the acidity was round. It was like a Discovery Channel special about someone who learned to paint with their toes after losing hands. I think there is still development ahead for this wine, though it isnt required to wait.
1999 Ogier Cote-Rotie: I swear that Ogier changes styles with the vintages. Some years are smokier, some are higher toned, and I feel that it is more than just vintage variation. But, I digress, THIS year of Ogier is very fruit forward, but there is a certain authenticity to the fruit that is clearly rooted in Cote-Rotie. Lots of plums and bacon for the kids, and less smokiness than I usually find in Ogier. The 2000 is drinking with a bit more restraint and elegance, while the 1998 and beef jerky 1997 are much smokier.
2002 Dauvissat La Foret: Nicely mineral, but just another brick in the wall of Chablis. The campaign of hate continues.
1995 Avril Clos des Papes Chteauneuf-du-Pape: See below
1998 Avril Clos des Papes Chteauneuf-du-Pape: Comparing the two Clos de Papes, I clearly enjoyed the 1998 over the 1995. Drinking the 1995 was like being hit in the face with a bat. Drinking the 1998 was like being hit in the face with a bat covered in squishy fruit the latter being easier to stagger away from.
1999 Texier Cote-Rotie VV: Bloody, and tasting a bit on the rural side, I didnt get to this until late in the evening.
2000 Fonseca Port: Nice young port which drank easier than I expected. We used this to keep us warm while we toked on some Cubans outside.
All said, it was a fun night which ended with fireworks (literally lit from the backyard).
Best,
Joe
Oh, yeah, Pinkalicious.