TN: A tale of 2 Rieslings, plus Muscadet, CA, Bdx Sup.

Apr 22, 2007 12 Replies

Selbach-Oster is one of my favorite Mosel producers, and I had a couple of the Rieslings, tasted over several days and face to face:


2005 Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett Boy, this is big for Kabinett. I was expecting that from 2005, but even so was surprised. Peach fruit with a hint of red berries, by day
2 showing more tropical (mango/pineapple). Acidity isn't bad, but this is very sweet. A touch of mineral on the finish. For a kabinett a C+, but as a Riesling a B/B+


2004 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Spatlese Much more citrusy, lime dominates though there is some green apple. Actually feels lighter and drier than the Kabinett. Brisk and crisp, quite enjoyable. B+


2005 Pepiere "Clos de Briords" Muscadet I know this is infanticide, but I really enjoyed this over 3 nights. Sizzling acidity, mineral and saline notes dominate, but there actually is a surprising ripeness to the fruit underneath. Just lovely. A-


2005 Clos LaChance "Ruby Throated" Hummingbird Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Coast) Sweet red plum and cherry, not especially cabernetish. This isn't complex, but for the level ($12) it is quite concentrated and long. A little coffee and oak. Perfect backyard grilling wine, glad to have it as al fresco weather is finally here. B+/B


2005 La Croix du Roche (Bordeaux Superieur) Sweet cassis fruit, medium-bodied, maybe a tad short, but a decent QPR at $6/375. B

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



If anyone is in the Miami, FL area on May 3, Johannes Selbach will be here giving us a special tasting of 12 of his 2006 wines. It will be held at the Crown Wine and Spirits store in Coral Cables from 6-8 PM. He will go through wines from a QBA to two BAs. This will be the first public tasting in the US

I am quite surprised that after three nights the wine tasted good enough to rate an A.

Judith

Judith, Muscadet starts life as a very high-acid wine, which gives it fantastic longevity. I've had 20-year old Muscadet that showed no hint of its age (i.e., none of the typical flavors -- nuts, honey, Sherry, iodine -- that are associated with older white wines). That same acidity keeps it lively after opening.

Mark Lipton

Thanks for that Mark, something new I have learnt.

Judith

You and UC both! :)

As Professor Lipton says, generally high acid wines perform best over a few days.

Mark, I know that you meant this, but for clarity's sake I'll point out that you are talking about artisanal Muscadet from top producers like Marc Olliver and the folks at Luneau-Papin. Most negociant/mass market Muscadet should be drunk very young (if at all). Don't want someone reading AFW and putting away a case of Sauvion or B&G Muscadet to age!

Too far for me, but I sincerely hope you report on this!

Very good point, Dale. As I only drink two producers' Muscadets (Ollivier and Luneau-Papin) I have a very narrow view of what Muscadet is. OTOH, if I were presented with B&G Muscadet, I would likely take the advice the Pythons offered in their "Australian wine tasting" skit: "This is a wine for laying down... and avoiding!"

Mark Lipton

I found out the hard way last summer when (in a hurry) I grabbed what I thought was an artisanal one off the shelf in the wine shop. It wasn't even "sur lie":-(( Graham

On Apr 23, 10:19?am, "graham" wrote: ?It wasn't even "sur lie":-((

And that made Graham surly. :)

Well it gave another meaning to "sour grapes":-)

Graham

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