EWG Riesling and Pinot at Yujean Kang's
Yujean Kang's, Pasadena, CA
Tasted August 21, 2010 by WetRock with 731 views
Introduction
Another trip to Yujean's called for Riesling and Pinot Noir. Another tremendous dinner was served showing off some of his traditionally great dishes plus some new items recently added to the menu. I liked all the dishes though I think some of the pairings would have worked better flipped, Pinot to Riesling and vice versa. On the wines, Germany stole the show. All of the German Rieslings were very good while Alsace was silent and the Pinots were mostly just big. I liked the Vouvray but yet again a Chenin failed to step above admiration of its style.
All in all another fun time. I think there was even more laughter than usual. I think I might see what I can do about masking my IP address from now on though.
Flight 1 - Flight #1 (5 notes)
White
1989 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile
France, Alsace
Tight nose with some wet brown leaves and hints of cheese. Clean, tart and dry but just not showing much on the palate. This didn't seem to want to come out to play unfortunately and was in sharp contrast to the beautiful '83 I had two weeks ago. It showed no signs of flaws.
White - Off-dry
1989 Zilliken (Forstmeister Geltz) Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
This was AP#6. The nose starts of pretty musty but that fades leaving some petrol and minerals. Big and expressive still with a clean sweet tart character. I was surprised at how big this showed still and it was great to taste it next to the 02. Very similar in flavor though they expressed themselves somewhat differently. Very good.
Flight 2 - Flight #2 (3 notes)
White
2005 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand
France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru
Nose is a bit tight letting on some subtlety later in the way of some wet autumn leaves. Very dry on the palate with a bit of a bite on the back end. Alsace isn't showing up to play tonight.
Flight 3 - Flight #3 (4 notes)
Red
1984 Louis M. Martini Pinot Noir
USA, California, Napa Valley
Slightly musty nose showing its age clearly with some subtle mushroom aromas later on. Clean and alive this has held up well though not very interesting. Good acids.
Red
2006 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Big nose of black cherry with slight herbs and vanilla. Big rich palate with plenty of vanilla. Shows some heat next to the tannin. Probably too much oak though it didn't seem overly ripe like many 06's. Lot's of fruit and tannin to see if that can integrate some.
Red
2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
Tight funky nose showing some sweet fruit and caramel. Lovely palate feel and good length supporting some bright crunchy fruit. Some tannin on the back end among the great acidity. Once the fruit unwinds more this should be tremendous. Good wine making on display here. Very good.
Red
2006 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir San Mateo County
USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County
Funk and some heat on the nose. Candy cherry flavors on a clean light feeling palate with some bitterness. Not the best showing of this wine.
Flight 4 - Flight #4 (3 notes)
Red
2004 Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
A big boy. Very dark in color. Berry candy nose. Sweet Bing cherry flavor with slight tannin and a drying finish. Clearly in the cocktail side of the spectrum.
Flight 5 - Dessert Treat (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2008 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Haut-Lieu
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Strong nectarine character on the nose. The palate seems tight but shows great structure. The sugar seems integrated into a clean acidic juicy palate. This should be better in a decade or so. It still didn't excite me though it is admirable.
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