Christmas Eve dinner

Dinner with the family -steamboat and Shabu-Shabu. The Riesling went beautifully with the pork belly, while the Cab was a good match with the beef. Lionel and Rachel joined us to polish off the wines later on in the evening.

• 2007 Weingut Johannishof (H.H. Eser) Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Riesling Spätlese 93 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  Stunningly good. Touch of diesel on nose, just the slightest hint, along with fresh meadow herbs and flowers, and fresh apeaches and apricots, all superbly integrated. Superb freshness again on the palate, with a fresh zippy fizziness zooming its way through peach and nectarine flavours along with a rivulet of stony mineral lacing its way through a creamily textured mouthfeel. What was the most outstanding thing was the balance - almost reminded me of a Robert Weil - it was at once fresh, textured and almost weightless in the way it was poised, with acid and fruit all perfectly integrated. Nice long finish too, with more fresh spring herbs and flowers. An outstanding Spatlese.

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• 2001 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia

  I actually thought this was a really nice, modern Cali-style cab. It took awhile to coax out of its oaky shell, but showed quite nicely when it did. At first, it was all ink, alcohol and AMerican oak. However, with 2-3 hours in the decanter, it opened up to show smoky cedar notes and a touch of earth and meat alongside really deep cassis and damp leaf scents on the nose seasoned with spice, anise and some vanilla. Palate was a little simple for a wine of this caliber, but nicely-shaped, with velvety tannins and well-integrated acidity behind clean cassis, prune and plum flavours, along with touches of menthol and bacon. Plenty of glyceryl for those who like that style of Cab, but not so much that it distracted from the quiality of the fruit. Finish was decent - round and sappy, quite delicious. A very young wine, it should improve quite a bit over the next 5-6 years. I do not really like the style, but I must say it surprised me with its quality.

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