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Riesling & Curry Offline
Shimla Spice Restaurant in Keighley, UK
Tasted April 27, 2012 by grafstrb with 633 views
Flight 1 (1 note)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 15 min. --
Nose shows rich green apple and pear aromas, with spots of powdered chalk. Medium-light bodied on the palate. Rich, broad apple flavor with decent acidity. Not very precise or driven, but a solid quaffer.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 15 min. --
Nose shows rich green apple and pear aromas, with spots of powdered chalk. Medium-light bodied on the palate. Rich, broad apple flavor with decent acidity. Not very precise or driven, but a solid quaffer.
Flight 2 (7 notes)
White
2010 Weinrieder Riesling Bockgärten
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 1 hour --
Initially, the Nose on this was very light-fruited (banana & honeydew melon), with a mineral aspect that reminded me of a potato vodka . As this lost its chill with time in the glass, it developed aromas more typical of the Riesling grape. Medium-light bodied. Crisp, and powdery, with an incredible background wash of mineral. Upon opening, this showed more like a Sancerre than a Riesling of any type, but as it warmed in the glass over an hour it eventually showed more Riesling character. Almost came across more as a halbtrocken, rather than the trocken that it is. 13% alc. not noticeable. This could be cellared for a few years, or consumed now. This is a very impressive little offering, and is well-worth seeking-out, as it performs way above its price point. My third favorite wine of the evening, behind only a couple relatively heavy hitters.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 1 hour --
Initially, the Nose on this was very light-fruited (banana & honeydew melon), with a mineral aspect that reminded me of a potato vodka . As this lost its chill with time in the glass, it developed aromas more typical of the Riesling grape. Medium-light bodied. Crisp, and powdery, with an incredible background wash of mineral. Upon opening, this showed more like a Sancerre than a Riesling of any type, but as it warmed in the glass over an hour it eventually showed more Riesling character. Almost came across more as a halbtrocken, rather than the trocken that it is. 13% alc. not noticeable. This could be cellared for a few years, or consumed now. This is a very impressive little offering, and is well-worth seeking-out, as it performs way above its price point. My third favorite wine of the evening, behind only a couple relatively heavy hitters.
White
2009 Dry River Riesling Craighall
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 45 min. --
-- bottle # 4024 --
Nose is very obviously Riesling on this New Zealand offering – lots of petrol and Krazy glue. Medium-light bodied. Some petrol is repeated on the palate, and is joined by light fruit flavors, and moderately intense mineral tones; great acidity; mineral-laden finish is long and of moderate intensity. Overall, a fresh and crisp Riesling. 11.5% alc. is not noticeable. Made in the dry style. Good – better than the Henschke, which would follow – but not as good as the preceding Weinrieder. Drink now or over the next couple years.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 45 min. --
-- bottle # 4024 --
Nose is very obviously Riesling on this New Zealand offering – lots of petrol and Krazy glue. Medium-light bodied. Some petrol is repeated on the palate, and is joined by light fruit flavors, and moderately intense mineral tones; great acidity; mineral-laden finish is long and of moderate intensity. Overall, a fresh and crisp Riesling. 11.5% alc. is not noticeable. Made in the dry style. Good – better than the Henschke, which would follow – but not as good as the preceding Weinrieder. Drink now or over the next couple years.
White
2006 Henschke Riesling Julius
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 30 min. --
Initially, very tight on the Nose; as it warmed, it released a moderately intense petrol aroma, but not much else. Light bodied, and quite dry. Palate was very lightly-flavored: lots of gentle mineral flavor (soda water; quinine), and a hint of green pear. 12.5% alc. well-hidden. This didn’t blow my hair back like I was expecting it would. Not bad, just not very memorable, either. Drink now.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 30 min. --
Initially, very tight on the Nose; as it warmed, it released a moderately intense petrol aroma, but not much else. Light bodied, and quite dry. Palate was very lightly-flavored: lots of gentle mineral flavor (soda water; quinine), and a hint of green pear. 12.5% alc. well-hidden. This didn’t blow my hair back like I was expecting it would. Not bad, just not very memorable, either. Drink now.
White
2005 Domaine Bruno Sorg Riesling Florimont
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a couple pours non-blind over approx. 45 min. --
Very expressive and intensely perfumed Nose of petrol, flowers, and orange --- this is the kind of wine I’d be happy just to smell for hours. Medium bodied on the palate. No indication on the label as to how dry this wine is supposed to be, but it came across as a halbtrocken, as there was a perceptible, albeit slight, residual sugar character to this beautiful wine. On the palate, this is quite broad, full, and richly-flavored; loads of tropical fruit flavors; good minerality; good acidity, although the incredible richness of the fruit flavors makes me wish there was just a bit more acid. 13.3% alc. not-at-all noticeable. Showed its best at cellar temperature. Can be consumed now, or cellared for awhile: I’d feel comfortable socking this away for another 15 years. This is an outstanding wine, and was the group’s WOTN; it was a close second to the Trimbach for me.
-- tasted a couple pours non-blind over approx. 45 min. --
Very expressive and intensely perfumed Nose of petrol, flowers, and orange --- this is the kind of wine I’d be happy just to smell for hours. Medium bodied on the palate. No indication on the label as to how dry this wine is supposed to be, but it came across as a halbtrocken, as there was a perceptible, albeit slight, residual sugar character to this beautiful wine. On the palate, this is quite broad, full, and richly-flavored; loads of tropical fruit flavors; good minerality; good acidity, although the incredible richness of the fruit flavors makes me wish there was just a bit more acid. 13.3% alc. not-at-all noticeable. Showed its best at cellar temperature. Can be consumed now, or cellared for awhile: I’d feel comfortable socking this away for another 15 years. This is an outstanding wine, and was the group’s WOTN; it was a close second to the Trimbach for me.
White
2001 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile
-- Audozed for 51 hours before tasting --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. one hour --
Nose was expressive, and typical of a dry Riesling: mostly petrol and lime on a mineral canvas. Medium-light bodied. Palate mirrors the Nose, with lots of petrol, lime, quinine, and mineral flavors; incredible zippy acid, but not tart; great precision; 13% alc. not noticeable; still holding a lot in reserve: this has not yet entered its prime drinking window --- and this is true despite the 2+ days of slow-ox this wine got before it was consumed. This is an exciting and complete wine. Any Riesling lover should be quite pleased to have some of this in their cellar. Although this can be pleasurably consumed now (case in point: tonight), it really should continue to lay in the cellar for a few more years: drink 2015 – 2026 (or beyond?). My WOTN, and probably the group’s #2, based on the comments at the table.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. one hour --
Nose was expressive, and typical of a dry Riesling: mostly petrol and lime on a mineral canvas. Medium-light bodied. Palate mirrors the Nose, with lots of petrol, lime, quinine, and mineral flavors; incredible zippy acid, but not tart; great precision; 13% alc. not noticeable; still holding a lot in reserve: this has not yet entered its prime drinking window --- and this is true despite the 2+ days of slow-ox this wine got before it was consumed. This is an exciting and complete wine. Any Riesling lover should be quite pleased to have some of this in their cellar. Although this can be pleasurably consumed now (case in point: tonight), it really should continue to lay in the cellar for a few more years: drink 2015 – 2026 (or beyond?). My WOTN, and probably the group’s #2, based on the comments at the table.
White - Off-dry
2010 Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Spätlese
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 25 min. --
{Consistent with previous bottle}. No petrol on the Nose; young, sugary lime and pear aromas. True Spatlese weight. Medium bodied on the palate; good acidity, but lacking the forceful drive of the best 2010’s; limey, sugary, and young on the palate. Paired well with my Desi Karahi beef and seafood mix (moderately spicy Indian food). 8.5% alc.. This can be consumed now, but I will continue to hold, although I doubt it will ever be a blockbuster: drink 2017 – 2030.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 25 min. --
{Consistent with previous bottle}. No petrol on the Nose; young, sugary lime and pear aromas. True Spatlese weight. Medium bodied on the palate; good acidity, but lacking the forceful drive of the best 2010’s; limey, sugary, and young on the palate. Paired well with my Desi Karahi beef and seafood mix (moderately spicy Indian food). 8.5% alc.. This can be consumed now, but I will continue to hold, although I doubt it will ever be a blockbuster: drink 2017 – 2030.
White - Off-dry
2006 Dönnhoff Schloßböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Felsentürmchen Spätlese
-- popped and poured --
-- tasted a couple pours non-blind over approx. 30 min., and then one additional pour three days later --
Surprisingly, not muchl on the Nose here (during the dinner); a few days later, the Nose was much more expressive, showing moderate petrol, white pepper and light pear notes. Medium-full bodied on the palate. Proper Spat. sweetness; pear is the main flavor; good acidity during the dinner (a few days later, it came across as wanting for a bit more acid); still sugary; just starting to enter early maturity. 8% alc.. Was a better pair to my Desi Karahi beef and seafood mix than was the 2010 Donnhoff. Held up quite nicely to Day 4; a very solid QmP Riesling. Drink now – 2020.
-- tasted a couple pours non-blind over approx. 30 min., and then one additional pour three days later --
Surprisingly, not muchl on the Nose here (during the dinner); a few days later, the Nose was much more expressive, showing moderate petrol, white pepper and light pear notes. Medium-full bodied on the palate. Proper Spat. sweetness; pear is the main flavor; good acidity during the dinner (a few days later, it came across as wanting for a bit more acid); still sugary; just starting to enter early maturity. 8% alc.. Was a better pair to my Desi Karahi beef and seafood mix than was the 2010 Donnhoff. Held up quite nicely to Day 4; a very solid QmP Riesling. Drink now – 2020.
Flight 3 (2 notes)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2000 Penfolds Riesling Botrytis
-- popped and poured; 375mL --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 25 min. --
This viscous wine poured a gorgeous golden orange-yellow color of medium-great depth that was reminiscent of a slightly-aged Tokaji. Nose was expressive, and redolent of prunes, golden raisins, and botrytis. Full bodied. Rich flavors of golden tobacco, golden raisins, and loads of botrytis. 10% alc. not noticeable. On the fat side of well-balanced. Still sweet, but I reckon this will start drying-out soon. This wine is probably at its peak, unless you prefer your stickies well-dried-out. Drink now through 2015.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 25 min. --
This viscous wine poured a gorgeous golden orange-yellow color of medium-great depth that was reminiscent of a slightly-aged Tokaji. Nose was expressive, and redolent of prunes, golden raisins, and botrytis. Full bodied. Rich flavors of golden tobacco, golden raisins, and loads of botrytis. 10% alc. not noticeable. On the fat side of well-balanced. Still sweet, but I reckon this will start drying-out soon. This wine is probably at its peak, unless you prefer your stickies well-dried-out. Drink now through 2015.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2006 Château des Charmes Riesling Late Harvest Estate Bottled
-- popped and poured; 375mL --
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 25 min. --
Nose is dominated by a pleasing note of light golden raisins, and comes across as much fresher and more youthful than the preceding Penfolds sticky. Medium-full bodied on the palate. Quite fresh-tasting, with decent acidity; rich, apricot marmalade flavor dominates the palate. No noticeable botrytis. 11% alc. not noticeable. Very nice. Drink now – 2022.
-- tasted a single pour non-blind over approx. 25 min. --
Nose is dominated by a pleasing note of light golden raisins, and comes across as much fresher and more youthful than the preceding Penfolds sticky. Medium-full bodied on the palate. Quite fresh-tasting, with decent acidity; rich, apricot marmalade flavor dominates the palate. No noticeable botrytis. 11% alc. not noticeable. Very nice. Drink now – 2022.