So I had told some people last week they could call for help on Monday, once I was at office I realized how few things were open (Independence Day observed). It was slow, so I closed a bit early, and fished around for dinner companions. Only Roger bit, but we had a nice seafood spread- squid, sardines with an herb sauce, and halibut; plus a bean/corn salad and grilled baby zucchini. Roger is both a total soccer fanatic and German, so knowing where conversation would center I decided to do Germany vs Spain as a wine theme (much better than Holland/Uruguay from a wine standpoint!):
2004 Selbach Oster "Zeltinger Schlossberg" Riesling Spatlese This is actually showing quite well, lush almost creamy texture balanced by vigorous acidity. Lively and long, green apples accented with citrus and river stones. Very solid wine, drinking well but with a future. A-
2000 Lopez de Heredia "Tondonia" Rioja Gran Reserva Rosado Like most people meeting the LdH rose for the first time, Roger is startled, then confused, and then happy (well, sometimes people don't make it to happy). Intensely dry, strawberry and blood orange fruit, accented with citrus zest and onionskin. I quite enjoy, but it's a tad soft and doesn't seem to have quite the zip/verve of the '93 or '97, my benchmarks for this wine, this reminds me of the 95 and 98. Still, that's no complaint! 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.