Alsatian Wines with Vietnamese Food

S Restaurant, Westminster, CA
Tasted Wednesday, May 27, 2009 by WetRock with 501 views

Introduction

Our local tasting group gathered at S Restaurant in Westminster the theme being wines of Alsace. The restaurant was a new one for most of us that came with some notoriety. We all found the food very well prepared in more of an upscale fashion. A pricier side of Vietnamese cuisine that is probably struggling though in this economy as they could use some more business. I would recommend that they get more.

Our crowd was smaller than usual but we managed to come up with some winning wines. I'm not the biggest Alsatian fan by any stretch but I do like what they do with Gewurztraminer there(and rarely anywhere else) and I especially like those with age. For me the two Albert Mann Gewurzs and the Schoffit Riesling were tied for tops.

Flight 1 (8 Notes)

  • 2004 Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Furstentum Vieilles Vignes

    France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

    Plenty of ginger character and lot's of residual sugar in contrast to the Steingrubler. I would have though 2004 was the more lean vintage as well so I am wondering if this is the style for the vineyard. Very good wine though but would like to try it in 10 years or whenever the sugar integrates.

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  • 2005 Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Steingrübler

    France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

    Tart gingery nose. Juicy feel now with sweet fruit but little if any residual sugar. Dry finish. Good purity here and a balanced Gewurz expression but uneven in a young way. A very nice wine that will be better with time in the cellar.

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  • 2007 Albert Mann Pinot Blanc

    France, Alsace

    Flowery nose. Touch of sweetness on the palate but leads to a dry finish. Nice white peach and white flower flavors. Pleasant and balanced.

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  • 2007 Albert Mann Riesling Cuvée Albert

    France, Alsace

    Very dry, light and lean. Strong citrus juice character. Don't my style of Riesling.

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  • 2006 Schoffit Chasselas Vieilles Vignes

    France, Alsace

    Spicy aromatically expressive nose showing some ginger and white florals. This made me think of a dry Scheurebe on the palate with a touch of herbal spices and the aromatics still coming into play. A first time with this variety for me and I found it good but not necessarily compelling. I would think many fans of Alsace and Loire whites would be interested in this though.

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  • 2005 Schoffit Riesling Harth Cuvée Tradition

    France, Alsace

    Oily nose. Very lively palate with lot's of fruit, very dry showing some lime and diesel. Rich with a tart finish. Impressive wine. Should go for quite a while but good intense Riesling character today. Very good.

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  • 1996 Klein aux Vieux Remparts Riesling Burgreben

    France, Alsace

    Similar to my last go around though the nose this time seem dominated by some musty mushroom like aromas. Lean and austere with slight lime character and some mineral qualities on the finish. Drink up as the acid has outlived the fruit.

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  • 2005 Trimbach Gewurztraminer

    France, Alsace

    Soft and round. Spices and very dry. Lacks a finish. Would be hard pressed to name this from Alsace blind. Not one of Trimbach's better efforts.

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