Catching up on old notes, as per my usual. The notes here are from a small afternoon gathering with a couple of good friends. We enjoyed a varied mix of wines, red and white, blind and not blind. The Rioja stole the show for me, but that’s pretty much exactly what I would expect considering my prior experiences with that wine. Without further ado …
2007 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (8/31/2019)
– double-decanted 3.5 hours before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over approx. one hour –
NOSE: classic Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr aromatics; lychee gummy candies; moderate petrol; expressive aromatics.
BODY: medium-light bodied.
TASTE: soft; mature; just a bit past peak.
2011 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Nahe (8/31/2019)
– cork pulled approx. one hour before tasting –
– tasted blind over approx. one hour –
NOSE: lighter than the 2007 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett tasted alongside; pleasant, warm, woodsy tones; hint of petrol; moderately expressive.
BODY: medium bodied
TASTE: soft; a bit loose; proper Kabinett; blind guess this as a 2007 Kabinett.
1978 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (8/31/2019)
– cork pulled approx. 1 hour before tasting –
– tasted non-blind over approx. 1.5 hours –
NOSE: tawny aromatics initially, giving way to a pleasant cherry Twizzlers; aromatics improved significantly over the first 45 minutes, or so.
BODY: medium-light bodied; some noticeable age on the color.
TASTE: tawny; high acidity; cherry; earthy; leathery; needed about 30 to 45 minutes to come together, and then it was gangbusters. Sadly my last bottle, but glad to have opened it at this time. Drink Now. Gut impression score: mid to high 90s.
2013 Aurelien Verdet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru (8/31/2019)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over approx. 45 minutes –
Carbonic, red-fruited, spice-inflected Nose. Medium-light bodied, with medium+ acidity; red-fruited presentation. Quite enjoyable right now, but no apparent rush to drink.
2017 Aurelien Verdet Chambolle-Musigny Les Condemennes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny (8/31/2019)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over approx. 45 minutes –
NOSE: tight; red-fruited; not oaky or funky; hints of ballpoint pen ink and musk.
BODY: light to medium-light bodied.
TASTE: red-fruited; nice freshness; not oaky; labelled at 13% abv… Seemed tight, but with solid potential to improve over the short to medium term. Best to Hold right now.
2013 Aurelien Verdet Morey St. Denis En la Rue de Vergy - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis (8/31/2019)
– popped and poured –
– tasted blind over approx. 45 minutes –
NOSE: savory; dark red fruits; spicy; some age on this; high-toned.
BODY: medium-light to medium bodied.
TASTE: red-fruited; ruby red grapefruit, which I always enjoy in Pinot (will be too acidic for some). Drinking well now.
2015 Domaine Villet Arbois - France, Jura, Arbois (8/31/2019)
– bottle opened previous day –
– tasted blind over approx. 30 minutes –
Very noticeable brett on the Nose, mixed with some light acidic red fruits (strawberry stood-out). Medium-light bodied on the palate, with flavors that mirrored the aromatics (strawberry and brett). Enough brett to call it flawed, but the underlying material seemed nice. NR (flawed)