Unreal German, Alsacian and Loire wines with Thai lunch...
Bellevue, WA, USA
Tasted Saturday, August 9, 2003 by Eric with 1,435 views
Introduction
A piece of advice: when Roy Hersh invites you to a simple Saturday lunch of Thai food with a few German and Alsacian wines, never, EVER in your right mind say say no. Take this advice from a guy who is REALLY happy he said yes. The following wines were tasted non-blind, one after another alongside some truly delicious food at the Chantanee Thai Restaurant in Bellevue, WA. I am rather inexperienced with German and Alsacian wines, so it would not surprise me in the least if folks took offense to some of my clueless fumbling below.
2001 Karthäuserhof Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Spätlese 89 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
A reserved nose of minerals and honey. On the palate this is very balanced with slate and lemons. A long, almost tropical finish.
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1989 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 94 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
A nose of diesel and plasticene. The palate is rich in glycerine, custardy. Amazing acidity. A long, loooong finish. Gorgeous!
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1996 Bott-Geyl Tokay Pinot Gris Sonnenglanz 90 Points
France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru
This wine has the most intense nose of honey I have ever smelled on a wine. On the palate this has bracing acidity and slight bitterness. The texture is thick with amazing viscosity and a long, long finish. That said, this is somewhat monolithic with prevents it from a truly outstanding score.
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2002 Domaine des Aubuisières Vouvray Cuvée de Silex 89 Points
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
A somewhat reticent, underwhelming nose. Extremely dry with amazing minerality, lush texture, and high viscosity. Wow, what amazing acidity on the finish!
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2001 Stevenson-Barrie Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
This Pinot snuck into the middle of a German and Alsacian lineup, and I think my palate just couldn't handle it. Maybe on its own I would have enjoyed this more? Piercing cherry nose. Very dusty and brooding on the palate. I like Shea Vineyard wines a lot, but this one left me flat. I was toying with 82 points but officially NR due to the tough circumstances.
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2001 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Cuvée Théo 87 Points
France, Alsace
Mandarin orange on the nose. Oily, spicy, with white pepper and clove on the palate. Medium finish. Nice with the food but a bit heavy and clumsy compared to all of the gorgeous riesling enjoyed alongside it.
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1995 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Trie Spéciale 84 Points
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières
On the nose this showed honey, honey, and more honey. The palate couldn't have been more different though as it was bone dry. On its own I think I really could have appreciated this, but as a transition from so many sweet German wines this was really tough.
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2001 Nik Weis / St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Auslese 92 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Talcum, white peach, and a slight plastic note on the nose. On entry this has amazing acidity and balance. Holy Toledo, with the spicy Thai food this was heavenly!
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1989 Château Bellerive Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 90 Points
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru
Amber color. At first I found this to be a bit off-putting, and I thought that perhaps it was oxidized?!? Roy assured me it was not. The nose was odd and entirely new for me; is this what Chenin is all about? On the palate this is gorgeous, almost indescribable. Hints of plastic. The finish has a distinct bitter note of orange peel with a bit of the pith. The descriptors are not favorable, but this wine kept growing on me. Fascinating stuff!
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1976 Jos. Christoffel Jr. (Christoffel-Prüm) Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese ** 96 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
This is the highest I have ever rated a white wine in my life. Light gold in color, this looks like a baby. The nose is somewhat reserved at first but quickly opens to reveal diesel, plastic, and honey. The palate is lush, rich in glycerin, stunning mouthfeel, yet with vibrant acidity. Layered flavors of honey and diesel dance on the palate. This is ambrosia! An endless, lingering finish keeps you coming back. Wow, this is the complete package and in great, great shape for a 27 year old wine.
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1990 Weingut Baumann Oppenheimer Sackträger Riesling Beerenauslese 90 Points
Germany, Rheinhessen
Loads of acid. Slight orange zest with too much bitter pith. On its own this would have been a shining star, but alongside the 1976 Christoffel and 1989 Dr. Fischer it was hopelessly outclassed.
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1989 Dr. Fischer Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Beerenauslese 96 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Holy Toledo, another incredible dessert wine. This has simply unreal, unctuous texture, almost like lemon custard. Thick with botrytis. This has an endless finish. Words don't do justice to the experience of enjoying this wine.
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