NYE Wines (ZH, Margaux, Donnhoff)

WINE TALK
1

My wife and I spent New Year’s Eve with four old friends who are long-time wine enthusiasts. I did not take any formal notes, but I can offer a few impressions about some excellent wines.

1998, 2000 and 2001 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann: These were popped and poured at the beginning of the evening. The 1998 and 2000 were noticeably darker and more viscous than the 2001 and considerably more rich and potent in the mouth. Initially, the 2000 was the clear favorite of the group because it possessed vibrant acidity in addition to terrific fruit and rich, honeyed goodness. The 2001 seemed like a dud by comparison to the other two. As the wines evolved in the glass over the course of an hour or so, the 2001 took on weight and became more intense. Although it is on a slower evolutionary track than the other two, it rivaled the 2000 for ZH of the night by the time the bottles were gone. I would give this a few hours of air before drinking at this point. All of these wines were outstanding.

1983 and 1986 Ch. Margaux: My first experience with either of these wines. The 1983 in particular showed exceptionally well with terrific aromatics, texture and length. The wines both still seemed youthful, showing intense fruit with some pencil lead, cedar, and a little earthiness. The 1986 still needed the tenderloin topped with blue cheese to help cut through the tannins it still possesses, but the 1983 would have been stunning standing on its own. The wine was elegant, seemless, and memorable.

2002 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese: The group elected not to drink Champagne this year and instead opted to ring in the new year with this beautiful, young Riesling instead. This wine has terrific intensity, great acidity, opulent fruit and an undercurrent of petrol and slate. It has a sense of weightlessness in the mouth. I think it will be a stunner in 10 years, but it was a nice nightcap last night.

We have spent NYE with this crowd many times over the years, and the wines and conversation are always a treat. I hope all of you in Berserkerland also had a great celebration with friends and loved ones last night and wish you all a happy new year.

2

Is that the same ZH we had a few months ago? I can’t remember the bottling.

Sounds like a great night. I’ve never had Margaux!

Did you at least shake up the Donhoff for a minute to get some bubbles in it [tease.gif]

3

Nope. That one was the Clos Windsbuhl 2001. Very good in its own right, and more mature now than the 2001 Rangen from last night.

We do not shake Donnhoff. [beee.gif]