Birthday wines (Schaefer, Kapcsandy)

Yesterday was my birthday. I spent the day with my family (just my wife and I drinking). I picked out two wines that would give me lots of enjoyment and not make me work too hard for it.

• 2005 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 93 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Superb wine if still too young. Really no signs of all at age. Light golden in color. The nose is pineapples, pears and wet stones. Viscous (similar to the texture of Gatorade). On the palate, sweet and perhaps a bit more acidity would be good, but it still has plenty. Loads of fruit; grapefruits and pears. Long, long finish. Delicious.

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• 2005 Kapcsándy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon State Lane Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville

  Decanted for three hours and consumed over the next four. Wow. I poured a glass for my wife blind and she was blown away! Ruby/purple in color. The nose certainly has some oak (of the cocoa/cedar variety) but tons of cassis and some pencil lead. Full bodied. On the palate, while this is young and exuberant, there is so much depth and complexities. Later in the night, the fruit took back stage a bit to the minerality and some black olive notes. A spectacular wine that really needs a few more years of cellaring at least. This really is one of the best wineries in the world and just getting better. In the world of $100+ Cal Cabs from new producers, this is one list I hope to stay on!

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Both wines were still a bit young and have lots of life left in them before maturity. Yet, they were still spectacular. Hopefully good role models for me as I enter my 52nd year!