TN: Spatlese 2005-1976 (well really 2005-1993)

John put out a call for folks interested in a mature (or maturing) Spatlese tasting, and a nice crew gathered at his place in Croton last night. John and Sasha had put together nice platters of cheese and pate, and John had a delicious poached shrimp dish with avocado and lemon as well. Most Spatles e I've ever tried at one sitting (other than maybe trade tastings)

Flight 1

2005 Von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Spatlese AP #27 Crisp, liney citrus notes, minerally, really bright for ‘05 A-/B+

2005 Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Kupfergrube Spatlese (Auction Bottling) Bigger ripe, peaches , quite sweet, needs time. B

Flight 2

2002 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese- AP #09 Spicy/minty, crisp apple,. young, balanced. A-

2002 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese AP#08 Big, rounder, pears and peaches. B/B+

2002 Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese AP#11 Quite complex, tropical fruit, herbal, slatey, I liked more than table. B+/ A-

Flight 3 (great flight)

2001 R. Haart Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese AP #08 Exotic tropical fruit yet with electric acidity, spicy finish. Eyeopener A- /A

2001 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Spatlese- AP #05 Hint of spritz even at 17, bright, vibrant, takes some time to open but del icious. A-

2001 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese Mint, smoke, hint of caramel. Good, though not absolutely certain well stor ed (mine, but no memory of when acquired, cork for slightly protruding, and S said slid out a little too easily). Still, awful tasty. B+

Flight 4 This flight had a 2001 Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Kupfergrube Spatlese AP #07 and a 2001 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese AP#09, but I d on't have anything written down that I can read. Think I helped clear dishe s and got distracted. Looks like I preferred Kupfergrube to Brucke, but did n't like either as much as previous flight.

Flight 5

1998 Donnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshohle Spatlese Auction Bottling) Kind of cheesey lactic thing going on, ripe tropical fruit, if correct B

1998 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese #9 Bright, slatey, but a not so long. B/B+

1998 J. J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese Tons of sulphur on nose, blows off and leaves a beautiful wine, green apple and citrus with petrol and rocks. A-

A break while John cooked pork medallions in a mushroom sauce served with c ouscous.

2000 Lanson Cuvee Noble Blanc de Blancs Champagne Crisp, elegant bead, citrus peel and apple with warm brioche. B+/A-

Flight 6

1996 Von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Spatlese Light and sprightly, citrus, floral, saline. A-/A

1996 J. J. Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese Definite red fruit, wrote down cherry but others were insisting on strawber ry/cream. Complex, long. B+/A-

1996 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese Dark browning color, this is cooked

Flight 7

1993 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spatlese Smoky nose, a touch reductive at first, citrus and petrol. B+

1993 Von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese Mint, petrol , incredibly light on its feet. Long minerally finish. A-

John remarked the ‘93s were only ones to be truly mature- sugar fad ing, savory mineral notes out ahead of fruit- but neither fading

1976 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese - corked. Ouch!!!!!!!

Great night with fun crowd.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.