December 25, 2023 - Xmas day dinner 2023: decanted for approx. 30 minutes (cold storage); clear straw-like color; opulent bouquet with notes of peaches, apples, and citron plus hints of exotic fruits and petrol; smooth, round texture with a reserved acidity on the palate; medium body. 92/100
As the evening went on this wine showed better and better and so I decided for an upgrade to 93/100.
14% vol. alcohol.
May 15, 2022 - Past it’s prime but still tasty for a 25yr old pinot gris! The nose smells like the wine is going to be sweeter than it is. Apricots, slight sherry notes, acidity still present and reasonable length
February 1, 2021 - Orange color. Needed some time to get to room temperature to reveal its flavors. Round body and smooth mouthfeel. Orange peel, lemons and cloves. Medium to long finish.
December 25, 2020 - Aged gracefully. Golden color. Stone fruit. Mid sweet - pre 1 to 5 rating. I’d guess level 3 or 4. Stores at 53/54 from release. Coravin pour
January 19, 2020 - Deep orange color. A bit waxy mouthfeel. Petrol and some spice. Apricots and oranges. Feels a bit disjointed. Just doesn't give much drinking pleasure.
October 10, 2019 - As with any wine 20 plus years old the integrity of the bottle/cork and quality of cellaring bear as much responsibility as the juice within - so it is with this wine nurtured at 55F in dark cellar since purchase in late 90’s - this is a beautiful lively luminescent clear yellow honey straw colored wine with well-deep pure mineral floral citrus oil white/ stone fruited aromas and flavors. Remarkable stuff. Vindicates cellar hassles. Gonna put another case or two of this away and fuggittaboutit for a decade or so.
October 1, 2017 - Oxidative nose that still has some diesel resiling aroma. Oily. One note from the table included 'McDonald's french fries'. Highly tropical. Fun drinking. Bill Koch bottle.
May 13, 2017 - Over the hill, disappointing as I had expected a 20-year old Z-H grand Cru to still have life in it.
November 19, 2016 - Sparkling at 70 (Ekatahuna, New Zealand): Rich and intense with a modicum of residual sugar. A touch of botrytis on the nose and palate add to an ostentatious and fine bottle of Riesling. Opulent fruit with considerable minerality. The opulence is emphasised by the lower acid nature of the wine. The thick texture of the wine was a special feature. Certainly fully mature and a beautiful drink.
October 29, 2015 - A tiny bit more zip in this bottle than my previous. Color continues to get darker orange. Classic petrol and wax. Hint of nuttiness. Decent minerality. Drink up