Aromatherapy

Organised TJ and Joel of Singapore Wine Club. Theme was Aromatic wines. While aromatic generally refers to white wines but not red ones, I requested to bring a Nebbiolo, to prove a point. Many reds are more floral, fruit forward and expressive in aroma than whites.

• 2016 Ministry of Clouds Riesling 88 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

  Very strong tropical nose, peach and pineapple. Didn't get much besides the fruit despite its age. Acid is linear but just lacking a bit of verve that old world rieslings have. Body is broader than an old world.

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• 2022 Dönnhoff Riesling trocken 88 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Typical Donnhoff: white flowers, green apple and minerals, good acid lift. If you're looking for consistency and textbook material, look no further.

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• 2022 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 88 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Been a while since I had Cloudy Bay. This was grassier than I recall (of previous vintages), with a fuller palate. Lemon rather than tropical fruits. Great acid that makes NZ sauv blancs so quaffable, and always a winner for reliability and QPR.

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• 2019 André Perret Condrieu 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  #1 of the blinds. The white flowers, honey, stone fruits and bitter finish brought me to Viognier. Low acid, a bit of cream and yeast, textural and fat.
  
  Not my preferred style as it lacks acid lift. Yet to find a Viognier that I like: happy to take recommendations.

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• 2020 Zind-Humbrecht Muscat Goldert 90 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  #2 of blinds. I've enjoyed several wines by Zind Humbrecht but never muscat, so this was quite educational. Managed to guess it correctly.
  
  On the nose, it's similar to Gewurz, with lychee and peach, as well as table grape "muscat" aromas. Also medium acid, probably a touch higher than Gewurz. Enjoyable for a wine I rarely have.

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• 2021 Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Clos des Capucins 89 Points

  France, Alsace

  #3 of blinds. Nailed this one. Less intense on the nose than the rest, acid also slightly higher. White flower and nectarine, slightly sweet on the palate with some minerality typical of Alsatian wines.

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• 2020 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Les Treilles du Loup 89 Points

  France, Alsace

  #4 of blinds. Pretty obvious this was a gewurz, having eliminated the muscat earlier. More lychee than the muscat, Turkish delight, tropical fruit on the palate. Body is big but didn't feel overwhelming, high alcohol. Weinbach manages to strike a good balance.

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• 2019 Domaine Les Poëte Orphée 89 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Vin de France

  #5 of blinds. Indeed the hardest guess of the night. I took a bet and guessed sauv blanc with oak, because it didn't smell or taste like anything else.
  
  More like a chardonnay or godello, with yeast and oak - influence of the winemaking no doubt. Apple on the nose and mineral on the palate. Acidity is not that high, as it from a warmer and lesser known part of the Loire, Reuilly. Interesting, but not something I'd reach for.

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• 2016 Koehler-Ruprecht Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Spätlese trocken 90 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  #6 of blinds. First time having this maker's Spatlese. Petrol was a giveaway, honey and green apple on the nose. Intense lemon and peach on the palate, but the sweetness didn't stand out. I generally avoid sweet wines, but this showed great class, balance and elegance.

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• 2017 AR.PE.PE. Valtellina Superiore - Sassella Stella Retica 93 Points

  Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina, Valtellina Superiore - Sassella

  My contribution. The only reds of the aromatic white night, providing a much needed break.
  
  Not to be outshone by the whites, it had an alluring nose of dried roses. Fruits are on the drier side as well: stewed cherry, dried strawberry. Touch of smoke and tar that makes Neb so complex and interesting. The Valtellina area has volcanic soils after all. The palate is juicy with red berries, tannins are totally approachable.
  
  Just entering its prime drinking window. My first time trying this producer, and definitely not my last.

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• 2010 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  JJ Prum strikes again! Petrol and honey on the nose, dried apricot and canned peach, even smoke and nuts showing. Really well-balanced. Can age for decades more.

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Educational comparison of the wines that I rarely drink these days: Gewurz, pinot gris, muscat and viognier. Gewurz and muscat both have lychee aromas, which made them a bit more difficult to tell apart.