Rhone 2007

Last week we had the opportunity to taste some wines of the famed Southern Rhone vintage 2007. La Cave hosted this tasting and the wines were overall really good and as I realized afterwards we tasted a (98-100) wine rated by Mr. Parker!! Actually it wasn´t my favorite but you know ...  everybody got his own preferred taste/style!

Note: All wines were tasted open and are from vintage 2007!

1. Domaine Font Sarade - Cotes du Rhone - ok/good - €7,50

middle color depth, purple reflections, red berries, sour cherry, fresh, CO2 on the palate, fruity on the palate, bit unbalanced (from CO2).

2. Domaine de la Janasse - Cotes du Rhone - yech - €8,90

purple red, very reductive nose, acid driven and very lean, reductive aromas are very persistent, unpleasant even after several minutes aeration!

3. Domaine de Fondreche "Fayard" - Cotes du Ventoux - ok/good - €9,50

qute dark red, purple reflections, soft and supple fruit, some spices, tartrates visible (no stabilization made??), rustic on the palate, middle length, simple.

4. Dom. des Escaravailles "Antimagnes" - Cotes du Rhone - good - €9,50

middle red hue, purples reflections, fruity and spicy on the nose, ripe fruit, elegant tannins on the palate, good integrated acid structure, good length, acid gives freshness.

5. Dom. des Escaravailles - Resteau - good - €9,50

hints of strawberries, bit reductive, red fruits, good tannin structure, good acid structure.

6. Domaine Font Sarade - Vacqueyras - ok/good - €12,50

deeply colored, some purple reflections, quite broad, supple fruit on the nose, hints of overripeness, astringent!, Tannin to the max, alc. rather high, bit unbalanced.

7. Domaine Richaud "Villages" - Cairanne - good - €16,50

fruits in rum, like liqueur, cinnamon, Christmas tea, soft tannins, middle length, balanced.

8. Domaine de Fondreche "Persia" - Cotes du Ventoux - good - €16,00

fruity, bit alcoholic, hints of overripe fruit, spicy, good tannin structure, good length but bit alcoholic finish.

9. Dom. des Escaravailles "Boutine" - Cairanne - very good - €17,50

fresh, fruity, cassis aroma and spices on the nose, very spicy on the palate,very juicy tannin structure, lingering.

10. Dom. de la Mordoree "Reine des Bois" - Lirac - very good - €19,90

floral, violets pure on the nose, juicy tannin structure, very lingering.

11. Domaine de Fondreche "Nadal" - Cotes du Ventoux - ok/good - €??

fruity, cassis drops, quite lean on the palate, tannins good, bit alcoholic finish.

12. Domaine de la Janasse - Chateauneuf-du-Pape - good - €32,50

floral and fruity, very distinctive, elegant tannin structure, bit short and alcoholic finish.

13. Dom. Giraud "Les Gallimardes" - Chateauneuf-du-Pape - ok - €34

quite high volatile acid aromas on the nose, good tannin structure, high alcohol level, overripe fruit on the palate.

14. Domaine de la Janasse - "Vieilles Vignes" - Chateauneuf-du-Pape - good/very good - €75

fruits in rum, very bold fruit, super soft tannins, bold body, good length, alcohol a bit unbalanced and high.

Try to guess the "Parker" wine!!

Robert Parker´s bitch ...

If it´s really boring in the office today take the time to watch this most interesting, funny picture on the Californian wine industry and the influence of wine critics. (26min.!!)

Enjoy responsible!

Robert Parker's Bitch from Josh Hermsmeyer on Vimeo.

France, Italy and Spain

A friend of mine hosted a tasting last week in the small but very charming "Vinoe - Vinothek". Theme was a journey through the biggest wine producing countries in Europe. Starting with some bubblies we move to Chabils and afterwards toward Burgundy, Chianti and Rioja. Actually it was a nice interesting tasting with some pleasant surprises. 

All wines were tasted non-blind.

Find some more infos: VINOE - Die Niederösterreich Vinothek

They have a really fair price policy!!

1. Rosé Frizzante 2007 from Walter Schenzel - ok

rather low in CO2 and a quite neutral nose, slightly sweet, bit boring.

2. Cidre from Obsthof Reisinger - ok/good

CO2 visible, shows nice ripe apple fruit, dry with good acid structure.

3. Chablis 2007 from Bovier & Fils - good

fresh, floral, ripe apple, some herbs, good acid backbone but balanced.

4. Puligny Montrachet "La Garennes" 1990 from Domaine Jean Chartron - very good

honeydew and butter, tobacco, good acid structure and very lingering, amazingly fresh for the age.

5. Hautes Cotes du Nuits 2005 from Jayer Gilles - ok/good

red fruits, just a touch of Brett detectable but not ugly, bit to much acid structure, very lean, easy drinking.

6. Bordeaux Superieur 2005 from Chateau de la Ligne - still ok

overripe plums, fruit in rum, bit acetone, fruit is fading very quickly, would die with more O2, lean, coarse tannin, middle length.

7. Confiance 2005 from Gerard Depardieu - ok

no fruit, tobacco, oak, cooked and overripe, alcoholic on the palate (15%abv.!), heady.

8. Tuttobene 2006 from Tenimenti Agnelini - ok

very closed, bit stinky, barnyard, remembers me at Pinotage, opens up with O2, bit plasticine, fruity on the palate, straight, simple.

9. Chianti 2005 from Fattoria di Scannano - ok/good

rather pale red hue, orange reflections, earl grey tea, spicy, Dr. Pepper Cherry Cola.

10. Rosso di Montalcino 2004 from Talenti - ox

brown, oxidative.

11. Tignanello 2000 from Antinori - ok

brownish rim, very soft, balanced, juicy tannin structure, declining, definitely over the peak.

12. Cepas Viejas 2004 from Domino de Tares / Bierzo - good

still purple with orange rim, fruity and spicy nose, very good structured but tannins good integrated.

13. Rioja Reserva 2004 from Bodegas Muga - very good

purple, very fruity and spicy, lush aromas, ripe tannin, very spicy on the palate, juicy, lingering.

14. Rioja Reserva 2004 from Marques de Murrieta - very good

orange rim, red fruit, red fruit jelly, dry tannins, good structured.

French wine in 1 minute

Try to speak this fast !!!

Wine of the month February 2009

Late again .. I know.. but find the wine of the month February 2009 at the wine list

Annual "Wein Burgenland" presentation

This year annual "Wein Burgenland" presentation was really interesting. Crowds of wine lovers joined me tasting, sipping, chatting, bit later loudly discussing and cheering in the quite nice ambient of the Viennese "Museumsquartier" of short MQ. I´ve tasted about 100 wines but due to time limits I will just publish those rated good or better.

The most inspiring conversation that afternoon was with Martina Mariel from winery Konrad Mariel. We talked about the different tasting habits and pattern of winemakers, consumers and journalists. Long conversation cut short - winemakers are always looking for faults and taints, journalists are on the other side of this spectrum, they are looking for all the positive flavors and are more generous regarding minor (some even major eg. Brett) flaws, the consumers is somewhere in the middle, I hope the consumers main concern is looking for pleasure.

Here are my tasting notes: (some wines showed restrained flavors due to recent bottlings)

1. Sauvignon Blanc 2008 from Weingut Haider Heinrich - good 

fresh green flavors, very typical for SB in this region, good acid structure.

2. Zweigelt 2007 from Weingut Heiling - good

cherries, good tannin structure, length ok.

3. Sankt Laurent 2007 from Weingut Heiling - good

bit restrained, but opens up wit more O2, fruitdriven

4. Pinot Noir 2005 from Weingut Leo Hillinger - good/very good

bit stinky at the first snif, but with more O2 very typical flavors, good structure.

5. Hill 1 2006 from Weingut Leo Hillinger - good

rather oaky and closed, very modern style, juicy tannins, good strucutre, young.

6. Sankt Laurent 2007 from Weingut Hans Nittnaus - good

quite typical color and flavors, very good length.

7. Pinot Noir 2006 from Weingut Schloss Halbturn - good/very good

bit closed, very typical, soft lingering tannin backbone.

8. Muskat Ottonel 2008 from Weingut Silvia Steiner - good

fruit driven, very good balanced.

9. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Birgit Braunstein - good

restrained pear aroma, flinty, good structure, shows minerality on the palate.

10. Chardonnay 2008 from Weingut Birgit Braunstein - good

ripe yellow apple, bit restrained, good acid structure, minerality.

11. Gelber Muskateller 2008 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good

fresh, fruity, musky, good acid structure, refreshing.

12. Grüner Veltliner 2008 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good/very good

peppery nose, very typical variety expression, racy acid backbone.

13. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good

creamy, pear, flinty, quite lean palate.

 

14. Cuvee Condre 2007 from Weingut Konrad Mariel - good/very good 

Cassis, some green hints but not unpleasant, multilayered, good balanced.

15. GV Bergweingarten M 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good/very good

spicy, peppery, very good acid structure, typical.

16. Sauvignon Blanc Wolfsbach 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good

bell pepper, some asparagus, canned peas.

17. Chardonnay Kreuzjoch 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good

fresh, fruity, sugar melon, good acid structure.

18. Muskateller 2008 from Weingut Sommer - good

very explosive nose, typical, green apple, quite soft palate, good length.

19. Rivaner 2008 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

musky, very subtle aroma.

20. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

fresh, fruity, exotic fruit cocktail, good length.

21. Chardonnay 2008 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

soft, melon, some more exotic fruits, balanced.

22. Blaufränkisch 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

spicy, straightforward style, good length.

23. Pinot Noir Kreideberg 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - good

pale red, orange reflections, red fruits, spicy, good length.

24. Cuvee Heulichin 2006 from Weingut Wagentristl - good/very good

bold, oak, still very young, restrained but good fruit, lingering.

25. Mittelburgenland DAC Reserve 2006 from Weingut Bauer-Pöltl - good

spicy, lean, very typical, good tannin structure.

26. Mittelburgenland DAC Reserve Quintus 2006 from Weingut Iby - good/very good

bit restrained fruit, lean and straightforward, very good structured, age worthy.

27. Chevalier 2006 from Weingut Iby - good

restrained fruit, quite closed now, very good length and structure.

28. Ab Ericio 2006 from Weingut Igler - good

bit plasticine, maybe minor Brett infection (future will show), currently juicy tannin structure, lingering.

Grüner Veltliner DAC!!

Actually it is quite funny if one finds pics like this ... it seems that even 6 years after the introduction of the first DAC the Austrians still prefer the variety on the label ... Mr. Pfaffl is going to die 1000 deaths ... 

And frankly ... have a closer look at the label ...  it states clearly: Grüner Veltliner DAC (same font, same size!!)

pic from:

Wein « Gourmet « Schaufenster « DiePresse.com

Michel Rolland on Bordeaux 2008

Barolo ..

Today Ulli and I had Pizza for dinner and we upgraded our meal with a bottle of Barolo from Fratelli Revello.

This Barolo is definitely made in a modern style. Very lean and pure.

Fratelli Revello Barolo 2004 - very good - €36 (Wein&Co)

farily colored with orange reflections, restrained fruit on the nose but opens up with O2, licorice, cedarwood, tannin backbone, very typical, still quite young.

find more infos: http://www.revellofratelli.com/

Boku Heim tasting

Boku Heim midweek tasting from 2.3. - tasting team: Michelle, Christina, Bernhard K., Bernhard G. and I. This week we tasted a lot a newly bottled wines. Some were still closed but overall a very nice stuff and very reasonably priced!)

1. Welschriesling 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good - €4

loads of CO2 visible, very fresh, green apples, hay, meadow flowers, easy drinking, very good acid structure,

2. Pinot Blanc 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good/very good - €4,50

CO2, green walnut hulls, nutty, more fulbodied than 1., pears, good length, pistachios, almond paste, poppy seed, lingering.

3. Sämling 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good/very good - €4,20

extremly fruity, stone fruits, "Wachauer" apricot, lemon and lime flavors, well balanced, lingering apricot on the palate.

4. Frizzante GV 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good - €5

loads of CO2, peppery and gooseberries, very young (clear ... filled as all wines last week), balanced palate (about 15g/l RS) nice and refreshing, summer wine.

5. Chardonnay 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good - €5

rather closed, hints of melons, quite restrained palate too, needs time.

6. Sauvignon Blanc „Reipersberg“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - very good - €7

green asparagus, hints of canned peas, gooseberries, quite international style on the nose, pistachios underlined with caramel, very good acid structure and powerful aromas on the nose.

7. Grüner Veltliner „Urkristall“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - ok/good - €5

lemon and lime flavors, steely, balanced and good acid structure, bit short, easy drinking.

8. DAC Weinviertel „Klassik“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good/very good - €5,50

white pepper underlined with some exotic flavors, good acid structure, „spicy“ palate, strangely salty.

9. DAC Weinviertel „Reipersberg“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - good/very good - €6,50

bit restrained due to recent bottling, yellow apple flavors, rather ripe style, quite fulbodied and lingering, aging potential, will greatly improve with time!

10. Grüner Veltliner „Galgenberg“ 2008 from Weingut Gschweicher - very good - €7,20

totally different style, passion fruit, exotic, very fulbodied, ageworthy.

11. Blaufränkisch Rosé 2008 from Weingut Lentsch - good - €4

salmon pale red hue, strawberries, wild berry gums on the nose, good acid structure, lingering, summer wine.

12. Barolo 2004 from Coop. Agr. Castiglione Falletto - still ok - €15,99 (Merkur)

rather pale red hue, orange reflections, earthy, Brett flavors, acetone, tight tannin structure, lingering, dead after 2 minutes with O2.