Monday my stepson David arrived back after spending 5 weeks with his Dad in Denmark. Betsy made one of his favorite dishes, a stirfry with beef, baby bok choy, and bean sprouts. I thought about a red with some spice to go with the beef and spices (Asian chiles, fish sauce, garlic, soy sauce, and more); but decided that was chancy and went instead to a German Riesling. The 2001 JJ Prüm Riesling Kabinett (just the estate bottling, no vineyard designation) was quite well-balanced, the sweetness playing off the acidity well. Green apple fruit, with just a hint of slate. Maybe not quite up to the level of the WS bottlings, but nice quality Riesling at a reasonable price. No Prüm-ish sulphur, this seems ready to drink right now. Decent match with the beef (well, more with the rest of the dish than the beef itself, also went well with grilled Japanese eggplant and peanut sauce). B+
Last night Betsy wasn't feeling well, said she wouldn't want wine with dinner (roast lemon chicken & potatoes, with asparagus salad). I thought I'd open a
375 just for me, hesitated before opening the 2001 Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg (would the asparagus clash?) Went ahead. A minerally/metally Alsace, white fruit, long honied finish. Pretty close to dry but with a definite sweet edge to the fruit, flint and steel very prominent. Strangely, after a while I even thought I caught a hint of petrol, which I would have normally thought of with the German Riesling, not the Alsace. This wine was a bit unusual in that I went back and forth in my head whether I liked it or not (I often dither re particulars of why I like or dislike a wine, but am usually clear IF I like). I think it needs some time. This was my only bottle, but I think my local store has 750s, might get one or two to put away. In the end, I decided I liked. A shaky B+/A-
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre at best. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Dale
Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply