TNs: Couple of Rieslings and Cote Roties

My first trip to Fond in Philadelphia. Wow. Great value and some serious culinary talent. A small intrepid group of 5 threw in for the 8 course truffle meal, primarily featuring duck. Top courses IMHO were the Foie Gras soup, Duck Hearts with Garlic Veloutee and the homemade Duck Pate. The freshly shaved black truffles (dispensed by the chef, tableside) didn’t hurt. Do not miss the fresh olive bread.

2010 Keller Von der Fels Riesling Rheinhessen
Bright, crisp and showing a fine balanced minerally cut. It was somehow not quite as extroverted as my last encounter. Nice length. Worthy of a solid thumbs up. The richness of several dishes with a few darker sauces might have been too challenging for it.

2001 Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim, Alsace
Very nice showing with plenty of honeycombed sweetness and fine underlying acidity. Rich, unctious and mouthfilling. With the lighter earlier dishes it played nicely but was again over-matched by some of the heavier courses. Very nice long finish.

2001 Trimbach Cuvee Emile Riesling, Alsace
A few months ago this was just too petrol-y for me. With the food, that effect seemed somewhat dampened. Nicely balanced. Softer than the Marcel Deiss, there was a touch of sweetness and more refinement than the Keller. Good minerality, acidity and very respectable length.

2001 Guigal Chateau D’Ampuis Cote Rotie, Northern Rhone
Young and fairly primary. A hint of modern-ish ripeness and possible oak quickly melded with the secondary notes of leather, earth and garrique. An appreciable red fruited leaning with excellent bright acidity that supports the middle and a respectably long finish. No need to touch another bottle for several years.

1999 Delas Freres Cote-Rotie Seigneur de Maugiron, Northern Rhone
Sort of a mirror image of the D’Ampuis with a more old world secondary character. Loamy earth, mild sage/herbs and minerals with a considerably darker complexion and reserved fruit. Quietly powerful. On my wishlist would be a smidge more acidity to propel the middle and finish which seemed slightly clipped. Drinking quite well.

Got my first taste of Bedrock wines, a young Syrah and old-vine Zin. Both seemed fine for their pedigree, but it’s certainly challenging to be a Terrier judge finding oneself in the Bull Mastiff ring.

RT

I liked my meal at Fond, but the parking situation was such a beeyotch that I haven’t felt the urge to go back - just one more reason why Bibou is the best restaurant in south Philly.

I hear the parking is much easier in Kennett - see 'ya Tuesday [cheers.gif] .