Mike on Tour - the Count's Manor

Tasted Sunday, November 9, 2014 by Mlermontov with 538 views

Introduction

Thanks to Mike for making this happen - and glad to open our doors to such an amazing group of people. Glad to see Fernando, Eric and Deb, Diane and Joel, Alan, Ben and Rob!
We had some amazing cheeses and meats, Mike's fruit soup was stunning. Then the lamb and veal with the reds - cannot think of a better pairing.
Honestly - a great night with excellent wine, amazing food and even better company.

Mike - don't forget - this house is always open to friends!

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Whites (4 Notes)

to me - the Knoll was the winner tonight. in 5-10 years? hard to say - both of the germans were young.
The Pichler was interesting but not at all what i expected to find.

  • 2010 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Ried Kellerberg 91 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    Rich, with auslese feel to it and decent RS. Rich green with gold color. bit unusual for a gruner - more like an Alsace Gewurz. (thx Diane and Mike) apricot and pear, spices over the lush mid. touch of bitter/botrytis note. long finish. this was interesting but unexpected.

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  • 2004 Weingut Knoll Riesling Smaragd Ried Loibenberg 94 Points

    Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

    One of the best Austrian wines i have had. It was showing better than the 2008 F X Pichler Loibner i had a few weeks ago and the 2001 Alzinger - though to be fair, both of those were younger and i think would get here with age. Floral, spicy, touch of petrol, ripe but bone dry, grapefruit playing with apples and pears. silky finish. just a great mature riesling showing its colors.

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  • 2012 Van Volxem Wiltinger Braunfels Riesling 92 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    grassy, floral notes but also some yeastiness, masculine nose. pink grapefruit in mid, still a bit rough - i would say 5 years would do it good. sleek, spatlese weight in mid, just a prickle of RS on finish but it fades away dry and smoky. Excellent acidity and the ripe core of apple/citrus will make this wine shine in a bit of time.

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  • 2012 Weingut Spreitzer Hattenheimer Wisselbrunnen Riesling Großes Gewächs 93 Points

    Germany, Rheingau

    floral notes on the nose, but the slate and power comes in to remind that this is a Rheingau. green papaya, touch of tropical note, long tangy finish with a touch of RS to balance. Give this time though - and it will shine.

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Flight 3 - Rhone (2 Notes)

two amazing wine at the opposite sides of the aging curve. The Clos was just perfect - hitting the point of maturity and showing all its got. The Cornas needed time - and badly. It was almost physically painful to kill such a baby!

  • 2001 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 95 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Stunner. minerality, herbs, garrique, meaty, ripe but not lush - rather it is clean and the red/black fruit are balanced by lovely acidity. Spice box on the nose and palate. long finish with plum and pepper. Mature but still years away from stopping. Secondary notes dominate, but I find quite sufficient primary fruit here as well. excellent CDP.

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  • 2008 Thierry Allemand Cornas Chaillot 92 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

    this is just painfully young. So much potential here - but it hurts to drink it. Sweet plum, floral, olives, meat. ripe mid with black fruit and even hints of chocolate. Tannic and brooding. finish is there but feels closed. a baby - probably amazing with a decade or two?

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Flight 4 - Barolo (2 Notes)

these two did not disappoint!
love Piedmont - and both of the wines show why.

  • 2004 Renato Ratti Barolo Rocche 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    sweet cherry, floral, hint of oak, light sleek mid with great power. touch of forest floor and mushrooms developing. this is very young but very pretty. Loads of red fruit and spices on the finish. I liked this a lot.

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  • 1999 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 96 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    DAMN. soy, cherry, mushroom, ripe but absolutely clean mid. sweaty cherry fruit with a kick of acid. power under the hood waiting to burst open. unending finish. a stunning example - and one that will age. silky, full of cherries and strawberries, earthy.... just damn good.

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Flight 5 (3 Notes)

the Copain was a half bottle (coravin-ed) that Alan brough

  • 2010 KMV Project Red Bordeaux Blend 92 Points

    USA, New York, Long Island, North Fork

    ripe plums, rich, long mid. boysenberry notes, still tannic on finish. touch of minerality and herbs. needed more time - this was a "lets just open this" moment and... oh well it was still yummy! even better on the next day (having some now)

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  • 1997 Querciabella Camartina 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Better today. last night this was very tight - today more open, with good plum notes and some meat. hints of iron. medium finish. nice mature example.

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  • 2009 Copain Pinot Noir "En Haut" Kiser 91 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    spices, black cherry and ripe red fruit. touch of bitter edge on the mid/finish. This felt a bit ripe to me - though the fruit was clean and well balanced. Big wine - almost syrah notes. bit hard to judge with the company of wines before it.

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Flight 6 (1 Note)

I bought this in spain years ago - with the help of Jesus B. last bttl of the moscatel. still have one PX left form the producer.
these Malaga wines are something truly special. And sadly - impossible to get.

  • NV Lopez Hermanos Málaga Don Salvador 94 Points

    Spain, Andalucía, Málaga

    love this. so sad that these wines are the last of a dying/dead breed. raisin, toffee, hint of orange, almonds, sweet but with great acidity. lovely stuff. goodnight, old friend.

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Closing

thanks again guys.

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