Nightcap

R

Rahsaan

Rahsaan
I was out with friends the other night in search of a nightcap. I wasn’t expecting much in the way of delicious wine, but as fate would have it we were randomly led to an Italian restaurant with a very worthwhile list. Naturally I had free reign for our party.

We started with the 2010 Jermann Vinnae Ribola Gialla which was direct and clear-of-purpose, but with a pleasing plump grip that soothed the crowd into their surroundings and kept them chatty.

Before people got too comfortable, I then chose the 2005 Hirsch Zobinger Heiligenstein Riesling which was a fresh bracing wakeup call. I was actually expecting something richer, given the year, but I guess Heiligenstein is often on the crisp elegant side? For my tastes it was fun to slide up and down this soft razorwire wine, but the crowd wanted more flesh on the bones.

So, our last nightcap was the 2009 Coenobium Rusticum which is a wine I often love but I don’t think I’ve ever had one even with a few years of age, so I was curious. Indeed, the flavors were riper and the structure was fleshier than on the Hirsch. But there was still plenty of vibrancy and the kaleidoscope of tactile textures got increasingly interesting as we finished the bottle.

Something for everyone!
 
That Coenobium doesn't have too much age on it (think it was released only a year and half ago). I say drink them young, when they still taste fresh. I had one with a little more age on it that made me wonder why I cellared it.
 
originally posted by MarkS:
That Coenobium doesn't have too much age on it (think it was released only a year and half ago). I say drink them young, when they still taste fresh. I had one with a little more age on it that made me wonder why I cellared it.
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I've never had a good bottle of it. Young or old. I think bad luck on my part because I trust people who have loved it but I don't get , I guess
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
NightcapI was out with friends the other night in search of a nightcap. I wasn’t expecting much in the way of delicious wine, but as fate would have it we were randomly led to an Italian restaurant with a very worthwhile list. Naturally I had free reign for our party.

We started with the 2010 Jermann Vinnae Ribola Gialla which was direct and clear-of-purpose, but with a pleasing plump grip that soothed the crowd into their surroundings and kept them chatty.

Before people got too comfortable, I then chose the 2005 Hirsch Zobinger Heiligenstein Riesling which was a fresh bracing wakeup call. I was actually expecting something richer, given the year, but I guess Heiligenstein is often on the crisp elegant side? For my tastes it was fun to slide up and down this soft razorwire wine, but the crowd wanted more flesh on the bones.

So, our last nightcap was the 2009 Coenobium Rusticum which is a wine I often love but I don’t think I’ve ever had one even with a few years of age, so I was curious. Indeed, the flavors were riper and the structure was fleshier than on the Hirsch. But there was still plenty of vibrancy and the kaleidoscope of tactile textures got increasingly interesting as we finished the bottle.

Something for everyone!
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Where did you have these?
 
Where did you have these?
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Italian Village, in Chicago. A place that did not look very promising from the outside but was next to our hotel. And which was very rewarding wine-wise!
 
Well I confess that I wasn't aware of the rein-reign distinction for that phrase until I just googled it. But I am happy to learn.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:

Italian Village, in Chicago. A place that did not look very promising from the outside but was next to our hotel. And which was very rewarding wine-wise!
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Yikes. APSA? I have nightmares that involve drinking with large groups at conferences - it always ends up with the lowest common denominator, which is how I would have otherwise described Italian Village.
 
originally posted by fillay:
originally posted by Rahsaan:

Italian Village, in Chicago. A place that did not look very promising from the outside but was next to our hotel. And which was very rewarding wine-wise!
Click to expand...

Yikes. APSA? I have nightmares that involve drinking with large groups at conferences - it always ends up with the lowest common denominator, which is how I would have otherwise described Italian Village.
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Have you seen the list at Italian Village? Like I said, a huge surprise, but a welcome one.

APSA indeed, but my days of large groups are well behind me. Now it's just the key friends.

And I did get beyond the Loop. Amazing meal at Avec and perfect ice cream at Black Dog gelato.
 
Believe me, I thought about it. But time away from home/family is a scarce resource these days, and I was already overbooked with the 48 hours I could get.
 
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