Conrad Green's Abode
Tasted Sunday, December 18, 2011 by WetRock with 876 views
In what has become an annual event the East-side Wine Group makes it's holiday a look back to the vintage of a decade prior. The chance to look at 2001 made everyone excited at the prospects of possible wines to look at as it seems to be a very good to great vintage in many places. We settled on German Auslese, the Rhone Valley, Napa Cabs and Sauternes for our lineup with a few misfits thrown in for good measure. Predictably we had lots of great wine.
Luckily for all of us, Conrad agrees to host us for our showcase while he and Rick prepare an excellent meal for us. They once again made a meal as good as any we might have in a restaurant but in the cozy atmosphere of Conrad's home near the kitchen. His hospitality and attention to pairings really make this even shine for all of us. In our joy we immediately begin talking about the next edition.
For this edition I can say I really enjoyed it. Lots of great wine with plenty of variety within each flight. This particularly surprised me among the Auslesen where we seemed to have everything from trocken to something like a late harvest dessert wine. Lots of highlights here and I'm not sure I could pick a WOTN. Narrowly standing out for me would be the Christoffel, Ogier, Pegau, Forman and Climens.
I can't wait for next year.
Here is the menu which was well thought out and paired very well with our wines. Nice work Conrad and Rick. I'm hoping someone will share some pics of these dishes.
Flight #1: Butter lettuce salad with apple, candied pecans and a buttermilk dressing
Flight #2: Beef Bourguignon
Flight #3: Lamb chop over green lentils and vegetables
Flight #4: Cheese- Colton Basset Stilton (UK), Lou Bergier Pichin (Italy), Andeerer Traum (Swiss) - One of these was replaced by what I cannot remember.
Flight #5: Iles Flottantes
Such surprising variety here. The Christoffel was quite easily drinking the best for me and is already spectacular. The Karlsmuhle was quite a surprise for it late harvest character as well as the Karthauserhof for it's very dry feel. The Prum clearly needs more time as do most of these. The Diel would be second to the Christoffel for me but it seemed to have barely reached it's potential. A terrific flight and good pairing. I should mention that our first bottle of Karthauserhof was corked and Conrad quickly grabbed another one so it was an immediate pop 'n pour.
This was the best food and wine pairing for me. The CdP's worked great with the Beef Bourguignon. Another great flight from top to bottom without a loser in the bunch. The Ogier and Pegau were drinking the best for me, both being expressive and complex. The Beaucastel was great showing a contrast from nose to palate that was unexpected. The Chave, Janasse and TL were very nice but seemed to be speaking more to their potential.
I love Forman Cabs and brought this one. It was my fav on the flight for certain even trying to dampen my bias. It has a long future ahead of it. The Motelena didn't show as dense as I might have expected but it still carried the classic stylings that I love. With one Bond being corked the other two were quite a contrast. The St Eden showed very oaky and ripe to me. But the Vecina showed as a well put together modern styled Cal Cab showing some balance and complexity. I'm still partial to the classic styles but this surprised me, especially next to the St Eden.
Some extras and wines that didn't fit in the other flights. The '91 Ridge stood out here for me. The baby Bello from a great vintage is always a winner. The Casanova is going to need some time for that oak to integrate. The Tablas Creek was very nicely styled Cal Rhone blend with still primary fruit. This could go a while.
My first go with the vaunted 2001 Yquem and it did not disappoint. But the Climens stole the spot light for me. It was just that much more expressive and delightful on the night and that is no slight to the Yquem.
2001 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese **
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
A wine where I wrote limited notes because it was just so good. Clean nose showing aromas of apple and lots of minerals. A clean palate that is still very young and probably even still hiding a tad. The sugar is well integrated but still noticeable. Impeccably balanced and lovely. Outstanding.
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2001 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Pittermännchen Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
Germany, Nahe
Still fat fruited on the nose with a lot of apples. Fatter fruited than the Christoffel and in need of more bottle time for its best. Sweet apple flavors with the sugar in reserve. Very nice if still a baby.
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2001 Karthäuserhof Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Auslese
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Bright, tart nose that is light in character. Good dose of effervescence. Very dry with no detectable sugar. I might have guessed a trocken if served blind. Bright and light bodied with tart apple flavors. Fresh.
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2001 Mönchhof Robert Eymael Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Tight nose with some diesel aromas. Big apple flavors and late tartness. A pretty floral character comes out with air. The expression seems to be just coming out of this so I'd leave it be a bit longer. Should be very nice.
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2001 Weingut Karlsmühle Kaseler Nies'chen Riesling Auslese Lange Goldkapsel
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
A striking amount of rich golden color. Ripe stone fruits on the nose, mostly apricot. Fat and tangy sticking to the interior of my mouth. Medium sugar and a touch of diesel. This drank like a late harvest wine from another region though I'm not certain I really detected any botrytis characters. A very different expression of German Riesling than I am used to but it was very good. Maybe a touch more acidity would have driven this a bit better but it was very tasty.
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2001 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
There are some mineral qualities peaking out from a the copious sulfur. Very effervescent with a bit of a bite. Clean and light bodied with an oily texture. This is gonna need some time or lots of air. The sulfur did dissipate some with swirling and time but the wine remained a bit inexpressive. Rest.
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