30 Jun 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Last week in Henning's garden plot. Killing the heat with some wines. .

🇩🇪 2018 Riesling trocken by Jülg

🇩🇪 2017 Schweicher Annaberg Der Wurzelechte vom Roten Schiefer by Bernhard Eifel

🇫🇷 2015 Inopia Blanc by Rotem & Mounir Saouma

🇮🇹 2011 Lagrein Riserva by Josephus Mayr

🇫🇷 2014 Bourgogne Rouge by Lucien Le Moine

🇪🇸 2009 Gran Reserva 904 by La Rioja Alta

🇩🇪 2016 Goldtröpfchen Kabinett by Haart

🇩🇪 2015 Wolkentanz by Kirsten

🇩🇪 2005 Trabener Würzgarten Spätlese ** by Martin Müllen

Dialling it down with these pretty basic wines. Fantastic Riesling from Eifel with powerful acidity and minerality. Very scarce fruit but very impressive. La Rioja Alta delivering as always. This 2009 will still need a couple of years to fully settle and find its inner balance like a beginner in yoga. Fabulous vintage though. Goldtröpfchen starting to become interesting. Martin Müllen with a fabulous Spätlese lacking a little minerality but pure joy to drink. .

29 Jun 2019

Don Melone @ Düsseldorf

Lorettostraßenfest

The Grand Crew at the Lorettostraßenfest „Frühlingserwachen“. A bit strange as it’s hot and it’s deep summer. We decided to grab a few bottles and kick off the weekend at the Don Melone. .

🇬🇷 2017 Sauvignon Blanc by Alpha Estate

🇫🇷 2015 Bourgogne Blanc by Lucien Le Moine

🇩🇪 2012 Dellchen GG by Dönnhoff

🇩🇪 2016 Westhofen R by Keller

🇩🇪 2014 Aulerde GG by Wittmann

🇩🇪 2015 Aulerde GG by Groebe

🇫🇷 2006 Meursault Casse Tête by De Montille

🇫🇷 2015 Mâcon-Verzé by Domaines Leflaive

🇩🇪 2017 Würzburger Stein-Harfe by Bürgerspital

🇦🇹 2010 Moric Reserve by Moric

🇮🇹 2013 Le Serre Nuove by Ornellaia

🇦🇺 1996 The Footbolt Old Vine Shiraz by d’Arenberg (oxidized)

🇪🇸 2015 Crianza by Pagos de Araiz

🇫🇷 2004 Château Calon Ségur

🇩🇪 2014 Blanc de Noir Sekt Brut by Adenauer (not in pic)

The 2004 Calon was a very good wine despite its crappy vintage. Le Serre Nuove from the spectacular 2013 is very good, too but of course too young. Disappointing Groebe and Leflaive. While the Groebe was just completely choked the Macon-Verzé tasted like apple juice with no minerality or structure. Very strange bottle. Fabulous Dellchen from 2012 and a young and vibrant Westhofen R. Aulerde by Wittmann was a good Riesling from a difficult 2014. Casse Tête being a fabulous Chard.

22 Jun 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf (Re-)Tasting some leftovers and some new stuff at the LaVinesse. .

🇩🇪 2015 Jesuitengarten by Reichsrat von Buhl

🇩🇪 2013 Steinrassel Pinot Noir by Matthias Gaul

🇪🇸 2016 4kilos by 4kilos

🇿🇦 2013 Sutherland Pinot Noir by Thelema Mountain Vineyards

🇫🇷 2009 Bourgogne Rouge by Lucien Le Moine

🇩🇪 2011 Sommerhalde GG by Bernhard Huber

🇩🇪 2014 J.J. Adeneuer No. 1 by Adeneuer

🇫🇷 2016 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

A young and fresh Jesuitengarten which will still need some time. For the Pinots (including the 4kilos which is not a Pinot) the Adeneuer in fact kicked all the other bottles’ butts. And it’s not even peaking right now. The GPL is a very nice Bordeaux which packs a punch. It will also need time to develop and fully mature. But it is worth its money.

14 Jun 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

Zehnthof-Luckert tasting

It’s tasting time at the LaVinesse again and this time it is Zehnthof-Luckert . I have to admit that I am neither a fan of Franken nor Silvaner wines but Luckert is a good winemaker and I am always curious. .

🇩🇪 2018 Silvaner trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Silvaner trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Blauer Silvaner trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Roter Silvaner trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Silvaner Alte Reben

🇩🇪 2018 Sonnenberg Silvaner Gelbkalk

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Weisser Burgunder trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Berg I Weisser Burgunder Terrassen

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Chardonnay trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Sonnenberg Chardonnay Brunnquell

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Gelber Muskateller trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Sulzfelder Sauvignon Blanc trocken

🇩🇪 2018 Berg I Riesling Steinriegel

🇩🇪 2017 Unter der Mauer ***

🇩🇪 2017 Maustal Silvaner GG

🇩🇪 2017 Maustal Riesling GG

🇩🇪 2017 Sulzfelder Spätburgunder unfiltriert

🇩🇪 2017 Sulzfelder Frühburgunder unfiltriert

Having said that I am not a big Franken fan, I need to add that I am even less of a 2018 vintage fan. I am missing precision, elegance and acidity in a lot of wines. Not restricted to Zehnthof-Luckert but in general. So naturally, I was not very excited about these wines. The 17s are in a dormant phase now where it’s hard to say really anything (at least I can’t). They’re not bad wines but just not my style or not my personal preference when it comes to German whites.

12 Jun 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

Schloss Lieser tasting

Paying Hartwig my usual visit and I’m in for a spontaneous Schloss Lieser tasting as there are several bottles open. I’ve never said no to a Lieser tasting. So here it is, all 2018 .

🇩🇪 Kabinettstück trocken

🇩🇪 Goldstück trocken

🇩🇪 Heldenstück trocken

🇩🇪 Juffer

🇩🇪 Juffer Kabinett

🇩🇪 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese

🇩🇪 Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel

🇩🇪 Niederberg Helden Auslese Lange Goldkapsel

I like the new labels, as they have a more modern look and feel. Fell in love with Lieser with the 2015 vintage. Thomas’ wines do need some time as they may appear a little simple in the early stages. They age fantastically though for sure. Interestingly I like the Kabinettstück best. And it’s a dry Kabi. I love traditional Mosel Kabis but I’m not a fan of dry Kabis but this one is so precise, straight, light yet complex and very well structured. The Heldenstück I prefer over the Goldstück although it is a lot more closed and will probably take a couple of years until it shows its full potential but I am pretty sure that it will outshine the Goldstück. Needless to say that the Goldkapsel and the Lange Goldkapsel were spectacular sweet wines made for the ages.

07 Jun 2019

Peppino @ Millstatt, AT

#epic

Thank you Christine, Isabel, Manuel, Justin and Stefan for an unforgettable experience! Forever grateful, forever indebted!

🇫🇷 2013 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru by Olivier LeFlaive

🇫🇷 2015 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru by Henri Boillot

🇫🇷 2004 Château Haut-Brion Blanc

🇩🇪 2016 Marmar by Von Winning

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Blanc de Noirs by Michel Guilleminot

🇩🇪 2018 Forster Ungeheuer by Lucashof

🇦🇹 2017 Unendlich Smaragd by F.X. Pichler

🇩🇪 2014 Pechstein GG by Von Winning

🇫🇷 2004 Champagne Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs by Perrier-Jouët

🇫🇷 2015 Les Champs Libres by Guinaudeau

🇮🇹 2015 Toscana Bianco by Ornellaia

🇮🇹 2001 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga d’Alba by Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa

🇮🇹 1990 Brunello di Montalcino by Soldera

🇮🇹 2006 Solaia by Antinori

🇫🇷 2008 Échezeaux Grand Cru by Domaine Jean Grivot

🇫🇷 2005/2006 Chambertin Grand Cru by Nicolas Potel

🇪🇸 1974/1987 Unico by Bodegas Vega-Sicilia [oxidized]

🇫🇷 1996 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

🇫🇷 1959 Château Lafite-Rothschild

🇮🇹 2010 Gaia & Rey by Gaja

🇩🇪 2015 Abtserde Auslese Versteigerungswein by Keller

06 Jun 2019

private @ Vence, FR

Vacation time

When I got Alex, Henning and Kai away from their shitty Rosé we were finally able to do some serious drinking.

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Brut by Godinat & Fils

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Brut by Pol Couronne

🇩🇪 2016 Brauneberger by Fritz Haag

🇩🇪 2015 Chardonnay by Matthias Gaul

🇫🇷 2016 Meursault by Club des Sommeliers (Domaine René Monnier)

🇦🇷 2015 Catena Alta Chardonnay by Bodega Catena Zapata

🇫🇷 2014 Bourgogne Blanc by Lucien Le Moine

🇫🇷 2010 Meursault Perrières 1er Cru by Lucien Le Moine

🇺🇸 2013 Monte Bello Chardonnay by Ridge Vineyards

🇫🇷 2012/2014 Pessac-Léognan by Club des Sommeliers (Smith Haut Lafite)

🇫🇷 2014 Pomerol by Club des Sommeliers (Clinet)

🇩🇪 2012 Mandelpfad Spätburgunder GG by Knipser

🇪🇸 2014 Piélago by Jiménez-Landi

🇩🇪 2016 Saar Riesling by Nik Weis

🇩🇪 2010 Kröver Paradies Riesling Spätlese*** by Martin Müllen

Just some thoughts on the wines. The Club des Sommeliers wines are from the famous Chateaux but I don’t know who actually produces the wines. But the grapes at least were bought from the famous Chateaux and you pay a fraction of the price in the supermarket. I won’t go into detail about the bottles here as I am not sure what I am looking at.

The champagnes are not noteworthy, while Fritz Haag never seizes to amaze me. Yet again I would love to kick myself in the butt why I do not order every single time. I need to mail them. Catena Alta couldn’t prove itself and was easily beaten by the mighty Bourgogne Blanc which is very powerful and oaky in typical Lucien Le Moine manner. Unfortunately the Perrières was not very much enjoyable right and I’d say it’s at least 2-3 years too early to open a bottle. The Monte Bello was even „worse“. Great wine in the making but at least 5 years too early in my opinion. Tight, closed and completely choked up. Mandelpfad was very pleasant while not being grand and the Piélago just exhausting and no fun for me personally. The Saar Riesling by Nik Weis showed why he is a master at what he does and this little entry level Riesling was a lot of fun. Spätlese by Martin Müllen was spectacular!

31 May 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

Merci pour l‘invitation, Oli!

One of those nights with the boys and guess what. Hans was here, too! 😉 Oli wanted a taste of Nu poc' e' Napule pizza since I told him so much about it. Coincidentally he lives 300m away and so we meet at his place to have some pizza and wine. What else? 😉

🇩🇪 2017 Naturbursche by Gorges-Reinhard

🇩🇪 2018 NH Junior Spätlese by Schloss Lieser

🇩🇪 2013 Morstein GG by Wittmann

🇫🇷 2012 Arbois Blanc by Bruyère Renaud & Houillon Adeline

🇫🇷 2013 Pinot Noir by Yann Durieux

🇫🇷 2012 Morey-Saint-Denis by Yann Durieux

🇫🇷 NV Ratafia de Bourgogne by Didier Meuzard

🇫🇷 NV Rata Truffe Apéritif by Distill’art

Naturbursche I’ve mentioned before. Interesting find and experiment gone “wrong”. But I like it despite its natural character. Nice Spätlese by Haag Junior. Wittmann is still a bit young but a very nice GG. And again I won’t and can’t comment on the natural section. .

31 May 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

Steinmetz tasting

It’s tasting time and Stefan has dropped by to present his new vintage and then some:

🇩🇪 2016 Brauneberger Juffer “GB”

🇩🇪 2016 Dhroner Hofberg “GD”

🇩🇪 2016 Piesporter Grafenberg “GP”

🇩🇪 2017 Brauneberger Riesling

🇩🇪 2017 Alte Reben

🇩🇪 2017 Kestener Paulinshofberg “GK”

🇩🇪 2017 Dhroner Hofberg “GD”

🇩🇪 2017 Wintricher Ohligsberg “GW”

🇩🇪 2017 Neumagener Rosengärtchen “von den Terrassen”

🇩🇪 2018 Brauneberger Riesling

🇩🇪 2018 Brauneberger Grafenberg

🇩🇪 2018 Brauneberger Juffer “GB” .

🇩🇪 2018 Lehmener Ausoniusstein “von den Terrassen”

🇩🇪 2018 Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett feinherb

🇩🇪 2018 Dhroner Grosser Hengelberg Spätlese - Monopollage

🇩🇪 2018 Dhroner Hofberg “GD”

🇩🇪 2016 Pinot Noir by Steinmetz und Hermann

🇩🇪 2016 Mülheimer Sonnenlay .

An impressive collection and I like the 2018s even though I am not convinced about that vintage in general.

30 May 2019

Home @ Düsseldorf

A nice little session with Theresa, Zonk and I

🇩🇪 2016 Schieferstein by Lotz

🇩🇪 2017 Alte Reben by Knebel

🇩🇪 2008 Bernkasteler Doctor 1. Gewächs by Wegeler

🇪🇸 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva Tinto by Lopez de Heredia

Knebel is still too young but that didn‘t come as much of a surprise. Still I wanted to taste it again and it‘s evolving slowly but surely. Lotz is still in a good spot. Somehow the wine has never closed up until now. Maybe it will fade before it actually does. Bernkasteler Doctor was showing really nicely although I would have expected more acidity which would have been an upgrade. Tondonia was rock solid but when given the choice I personally would always opt for a Rioja Alta.

29 May 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

One last session with Hans and it’s a quiet one and Theresa joins us. We order a nice round of food from Soban which is okay Korean food for takeaway. Not a Michelin star and certainly not the best Korean but still enjoyable.

Thank you Hans and Theresa!

🇩🇪 2004 Graacher Domprobst Kabinett by Willi Schaefer

🇫🇷 2000 Château Léoville Poyferré

🇺🇸 1993 Monte Bello by Ridge Vineyards

🇦🇺 1999 The Dead Arm by d’Arenberg

🇺🇸 1983 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve by Robert Mondavi

The weakest link here was the Willi Schaefer which was unexpected as I highly appreciate the 2004 vintage from the Mosel region. Other than that all very strong wines that presented themselves nicely. The Dead Arm worked wonderfully with the Korean food and is actually a steal for the money. 2000 in Bordeaux is starting to become my personal favorite vintage.

26 May 2019

private @ Essen

Thank you again Christine and Manuel for your generosity! Forever indebted. .

🇫🇷 2010 Champagne L’étoile de Berru Extra Brut by Adam-Mereaux

🇫🇷 Champagne Celebris Vintage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut by Gosset

🇫🇷 Champagne 1998 Celebris Extra Brut by Gosset

🇫🇷 Champagne 2002 Celebris Extra Brut by Gosset

🇮🇹 2015 Derthona Montemarzino by Roagna

🇩🇪 Es ist wie es ist by Horst Sauer

🇮🇹 2015 Ornellaia Bianco by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia

🇦🇹 2013 Salzberg by Heinrich (Magnum)

🇮🇹 2005 Valpolicella Superiore by Dal Forno Romano

🇮🇹 1989 Tignanello by Antinori

🇫🇷 2010 Château Léoville Barton

Won’t go into detail of every bottle here. Dalforno as always powerful and complex but still too young. Salzberg and Léoville Barton were both infanticide. The Tignanello was way past its prime for me. 1998 Celebris was slightly fading and showing signs of oxidation while the 2002 was a real pleasure. Roagna excellent wine with a good future ahead. It has evolved over the last 6 months. The "Es ist wie es ist“ is a freak experiment and I can’t say I like it. Blind I would have ripped it apart.

25 May 2019

Setzkasten @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

The wines of the night. Patience because the wines need separate attention. 😉 Thank you everyone who contributed! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 . Nadine, Hans, Olivier and Ingo.

🇫🇷 Champagne Rosé de Saignée Grand Cru by Pol Couronne

🇩🇪 2004 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese by Joh. Jos. Prüm

🇩🇪 2017 Chardonnay 500 Reserve by Thanisch

🇵🇹 2017 Terramatter by Soalheiro

🇫🇷 2014 La Porte Saint Jean La Perlée by Sylvain Dittière

🇩🇪 1994 Auslese by Thanisch

🇫🇷 2017 Vignysa Popi by Thomas Popy

🇫🇷 NV Vin Muté by Catherine Dumora and Manuel Duveau

Pol Couronne is the type of Rosé Champagne that I don‘t need. Weak, light and short with no real substance. The JJP was spectacular from the grand vintage 2004. The Chardonnay is a new project by Thanisch and it certainly feels that way. Excessive use of oak and unbalanced. This bottle of Terramatter was weak and probably the first weak Soalheiro wine I‘ve ever had. Not sure if it was the bottle so I will need to revisit. The Auslese (blank bottle) was delicious but unfortunately short. Vin Muté was interesting but alcoholic. The remaining two naturals were nice but since I‘m not a connoisseur I can‘t really comment. 

24 May 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

As some of you correctly assumed there were also some wines involved. Thank you everyone who contributed to this grand night!

Hans, Paula, Theresa and Timo.

🇫🇷 2012 Champagne Rosé de Saignée Cuvée Éphémere by Salmon

🇫🇷 1995 Champagne Blanc de Millénaires by Charles Heidsieck

🇫🇷 1975 Château La Lagune

🇫🇷 1995 Château Léoville Barton

🇺🇸 1999 The Maiden by Harlan Estate

🇮🇹 1990 Flaccianello della Pieve by Fontodi

🇮🇹 1990 Brunello di Montalcino by Fattoria dei Barbi

🇪🇸 2009 Aalto PS

🇩🇪 2004 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese by Joh. Jos. Prüm

Great entry with Rosé de Saignée only to be topped by a fantastic Blanc de Millénaires which showed really nicely this time. When we opened a bottle in December it was freakishly off and choked. La Lagune was drinkable but not enjoyable for me as it had entered a stage that I personally do not like. Léoville Barton was grand, followed by an amazing Maiden with power yet good structure. The Flaccianello was off with little fruit and not much to enjoy while the Brunello seems to be at its peak. Aalto PS is always rock solid and very pleasing if you like this type of wine. The Auslese was a major crowd pleaser.

22 May 2019

Patrick's Seafood No. 1 @ Düsseldorf

So after the champagne session Nadine and Ingo and I meet Olivier  and Patrick to have a glass of wine. Maybe two. 

🇫🇷Maison en Belles Lies by Pierre Fenals:

🇫🇷 2016 Bourgogne

🇫🇷 2015/2016 Bourgogne Aligoté

🇫🇷 2009 Santenay .

22 May 2019

EDEKA Zurheide @ Düsseldorf

Nadine and Ingo are back from their vacation and they ring me up while they’re sitting at the Champagner Club Lounge at EDEKA Zurheide. Well, with bubbles the situation quickly escalates.

🇫🇷 NV Blanc de Blancs by Charles Heidsieck

🇫🇷 NV Brut Nature by Nathalie Falmet

🇫🇷 NV White Label Dry Sec by Lanson

🇫🇷 2007 Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru by Colin

🇫🇷 NV Brut by Jacques Chaput

Clearly the best champagne in this lineup is the Charles Heidsieck.

21 May 2019

Genussbude @ Düsseldorf

Spontaneous tasting

Crazy spontaneous wine night. Very unexpected even more so.

Thank you Fabian and Santos for sharing your wines!

🇫🇷 1982 Château d’Issan

🇫🇷 1976 Château Margaux

🇫🇷 1975 Château La Lagune

🇮🇹 2000 Villa di Vetrice by Azienda Agricola F.lli Grati

🇪🇸 1996 Valdepenas Reserva Cosecha Especial by Casa de la Vina

🇫🇷 1978 Nuits-Saint-Georges by Pierre Ponnelle

🇫🇷 1979 Grands Échézeaux by Pierre Ponnelle .

🇮🇹 2009/2010 Vigneto Bucerchiale by Selvapiana .

🇫🇷 Champagne Longitude Premier Cru by Larmandier-Bernier

For me personally it wasn’t a joyride. Especially with all the old wines which were mostly matured and oxidized beyond drinkability or at least fun for me. Exhausting with no signs of fruit but lots of earth, tobacco, leather. I am not very experienced with drinking very old wines or at least with far advanced wines which is not always depending on age.

Selvapiana is always rock solid with the 2009 being more enjoyable than the 2010 which is a lot firmer. Both wines still have a long life ahead. Even if I always get it wrong with that 100% Sangiovese.

Nothing to add about the Larmandier-Bernier. Always a beautiful champagne!

19 May 2019

The wines I shared with Theresa over the course of a weekend. It‘s a few weeks back and I‘m still trying to catch up but it will take a while.

🇩🇪 2001 Brauneberger Juffer Spätlese trocken by P. Licht-Bergweiler Erben

🇫🇷 2009 Château Bernadotte

🇪🇸 2004 Gran Reserva 904 by La Rioja Alta SA

🇮🇹 2012 Contrada R by Passopisciaro

🇩🇪 2004 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese by Joh. Jos. Prüm

Finally a good round. The Juffer being a little weak on the chest but all of the other wines showed very nicely. Mid-range drinking with lots of fun.

12 May 2019

Eiskeller Bar @ Düsseldorf

A little session with Ramona and Benjamin. We haven’t had a glass together in a while and although the weather is mixed we share a couple of glasses of fine Chard. We have a good chat about the food, wine, restaurants, chefs and cuisine in general and I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation. Thank you guys for sharing the wines and thank you Dorina for your hospitality! 

🇫🇷 2015 Bourgogne Blanc by Domaine Leflaive

🇫🇷 2014 Bourgogne Clos-du-Château de Puligny-Montrachet by Château de Puligny-Montrachet

🇫🇷 2013 Meursault Perrières 1er Cru by Lucien Le Moine

11 May 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Trying to mix it up a little so we decided to have a little blind tasting. White wine but no Riesling, Chardonnay or Sauvignon. Still leaves plenty of room. And I have to admit that the first two varietals probably account fro 90% of the whites I drink. 

🇪🇸 2009 Vina Gravonia by Lopez de Heredia

🇵🇹 NV Chip Dry by Taylor’s

🇮🇹 2015 Cometa by Planeta

🇫🇷 2013 Bandol by Domain Tempier

🇮🇹 2017 Vign’Angena by Capichera

🇫🇷 2016 Clos Mireille by Domaines Ott*

🇫🇷 2015 Le Falaise by Château de la Negly

🇪🇸 2016 As Sortes by Rafael Palacios

🇫🇷 2015 Château le Reysse

One of the participants said that we don’t know much outside of our comfort zone and that we need to try more outside of our self-set boundaries. All this tasting showed me personally was, why I dislike most of the other varietals. While there would have been some nice options we somehow all opted for hot region whites. To make a very long story short the As Sortes was the best wine of the night closely followed by the Vina Gravonia which was actually not even a part of the tasting. Good job also by Château de la Negly and by Capichera to some extent. The rest was almost undrinkable. The more you know.

09 May 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Spontaneous get together

🇪🇸 2015 Santa Cruz de Artazu by Artadi

🇪🇸 2015 Viura by Abel Mendoza

🇿🇦 2013 Limestone Rocks Gadda da Vida by Sprinfontein

🇪🇸 2010 Casa Cisca by Familia Castano

While the get together was nice. The wines weren’t so much. The Artazu was way to young to be enjoyable. Firm, thick, with dark berries and licorice. The Viura was thick and fat. While the taste was pleasing, the texture and the alcohol level were not. Gadda da Vida too young but actually the most enjoyable amongst the wines we shared. The Casa Cisca at nine years of age is still undrinkable for me.

Thank you Christian and Henning! Bad wines in good company. Can‘t win em all. .

05 May 2019

Home @ Düsseldorf

Blind Burgundy Battle

🇫🇷 2012 Nuits-St-Georges Les Vaucrains 1er Cru by Lucien Le Moine

🇦🇷 2015 Treinta y Dos by Chacra

🇦🇺 2015 Tout Près by Farr

🇺🇸 2014/2015 Bloom’s Field by Domaine de la Côte

🇩🇪 2011 Rosenthal GG by Adeneuer

🇫🇷 2002 Château Lascombes

🇩🇪 2017 Wintricher Großer Herrgott Riesling by Gorges-Reinhard

Very interesting tasting with a lot of unknowns. Great to have Hans, Fabian and Zonk on board to taste them and let them do the talking. Very Burgundian results in the New World. Les Vaucrains is not in a good spot right now. Still uptight and choked it shows minerality but not much else. Will still take some time. Chacra is still very young and it will be very interesting to see how it develops. As of right now an attention seeking cherry is scrambling up front with a very light body. Tout Près was a charmer with aromas of chocolate and a thicker texture. Pleasing now but sure will evolve. Bloom’s Field was probably the best wine of the night with 2015 being the clearly better vintage. Congrats, Raj! Rosenthal was rock solid and showing really well right now. Chateau Lascombes is a nice Margaux in a good spot now. Probably wouldn’t let it lie around for very much longer. Surprise was the Riesling experiment by Gorges-Reinhard. Very refreshing with some residual sugar and a second fermentation and some light bubbles. While not produced like this on purpose I very much enjoyed this wine.

Thank you everyone!

04 May 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

It is the season. Asparagus season. Those few weeks in the year when everyone in Germany goes crazy and tries to have it as many times as possible. Personally, I can do with just a few sessions and this was one of them. Hans invited Henning and me over to have some homecooked white asparagus.

And of course we had some wines. No, not Silvaner or Grauburgunder but some proper wines. Thank you for the invitation, Hans! Thanks for the wines, guys!

🇩🇪 2017 Pettenthal S Kabinett by Schätzel

🇫🇷 2001 Château Pape Clément

🇫🇷 1995 Cos d‘Estournel

🇩🇪 2011 Spätburgunder R GG by Bernhard Huber

🇫🇷 1989 Château Labegorce

The Kabinett is stunning and will have the best years still ahead of it. Fantastic Kabi but with a price tag. Pape Clément is pretty much what you would expect and is drinking very nicely at the moment. Cos was off. We‘re not sure why but we are pretty sure this is not what a 1995 Cos is supposed to be like. Weak bottle. Bummer. Huber is in a very good spot now. And Labegorce was basically gone. Well, Cru Bourgeois are not necessarily made to be cellared for 30 years.

03 May 2019

Rocaille @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

And of course where there is Hans there is wine. Thank you, daai lou!!!

🇫🇷 2005 Champagne Rosé Millésimé by Charles Heidsieck

🇮🇹 2003 Sassicaia by Tenura San Guido

🇫🇷 2002 Château Mouton Rothschild

🇫🇷 2015 Volée d‘Quilles by François Ecot

A very nice Rosé champagne that still needs some time to breathe to fully evolve and open up. Gets better by the minute up until that moment where the bottle is empty. 2003 was a hot year for all of Europe but the Sassicaia has held its composure. Slightly opulent and hedonistic yet elegant enough for keeping la bella figura. 2002 Mouton was not the grandest vintage but still a more than solid wine. Close to grand and slightly ahead of the Sassicaia. .

02 May 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

A decent nightcap after having feasted at the Kushi-Tei. Thank you, Hans and Fabian!!!

🇵🇹 2017 Nature Pur Terroir by Soalheiro

🇫🇷 1999 Château Figeac

🇩🇪 2015 Bopparder Hamm Feuerlay Edition MM Spätlese by Matthias Müller

🇩🇪 1999 Assmannshäuser Höllenberg Spätburgunder Auslese by Weingut Krone

Nature Pur Terroir is a fun wine by @quinta_soalheiro Unfiltered and with no sulfites. Bone-dry with a creamy texture and without being as exhausting as many natural wines.

Not having a lotta luck with the big names lately and the Figeac was a little choked and flat. Not bad in itself. Silky tannins but a flat structure. Matthias Müller has made a very nice wine in 2015 that could use a little more length but with good complexity and acidity. The Spätburgunder was still in good shape even from the half bottle and was the perfect finish to a relaxed evening.

30 Apr 2019

Eiskeller @ Düsseldorf

Natural night

Thank you, @oli.grosjean for the invitation! Spectacular wines even without SO2 😜😘

Always fun nights at the Eiskeller with Dorina.

🇫🇷 2010 Melon à Queue Rouge Chardonnay by Nicolas Dordor

🇫🇷 2011 Les Grivettes Savagnin by Nicolas Dordor

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Les Beguines CLIMAX by La Closerie

🇦🇹 2015 Laissez-Faire ungefiltert by Christian Tschida (Magnum)

🇩🇪 2017 Marienburg Kabinett by Clemens Busch

30 Apr 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

Wine time with Fabian and Hans. Thank you guys for a great time as always!!!

🇩🇪 2013 Stromberg GG by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇩🇪 2014 Buntsandstein by Odinstal

🇫🇷 2016 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Pucelle Premier Cru by Jean Chartron (leftover)

🇫🇷 2006 Clos des Truffiers by Château la Negly (leftover)

🇫🇷 1999 Château Léoville Barton

🇫🇷 2000 Château Pichon-Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville

🇩🇪 2017 Felseneck Kabinett by Schäfer-Fröhlich

Jean Chartron coming back again but still sure that it‘s entering a difficult phase. Clos des Truffiers was the perfect wine for the spare ribs we had. Stromberg was a big wine almost grand and a huge pleasure to drink. Léoville Barton a nice wine from an off vintage. Not too special but lots of fun and very much enjoyable whereas the Baron was rather disappointing. Not sure though if it is diving down and reaching puberty and getting pimple faced or if it‘s just not that special. IMHO it‘s a bad stage as the 2000 vintage was a grand one and the Baron should not at all look this bad outta shape. The Felseneck was much better than I had remembered it. .

27 Apr 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

Timo (aka @mr_duesseldorf ) has invited the AZN twins, namingly myself and my brother from another mother Hans. Theresa is also in town for the weekend and I have had the honor and pleasure to meet Dennis.

Thank you very much everyone for your generosity and this illustrious evening with many grand wines! It’s been a blast!

🇫🇷 2008 Champagne Dom Pérignon

🇫🇷 2016 Puligny Montrachet Clos de la Pucelle Monopole Premier Cru by Jean Chartron

🇩🇪 2009 Felseneck GG by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇫🇷 1999 Château Margaux

🇫🇷 1989 Château Lynch Bages

Syria 2009 Bargylus by Domaine de Bargylus

🇮🇹 1999 Tignanello by Marchesi Antinori

🇫🇷 2006 Clos des Truffiers by Château la Negly

🇩🇪 1998 Hubacker Eiswein by Keller

Yes, indeed a spectacular lineup and there were no really bad wines in it. It’s even hard to highlight something here. We did all the wines blindly and we were wrong on numerous occasions. Biggest surprises were probably the Felseneck 09 and the 99 Tignanello. Clos de la Pucelle seems to enter a different stage now and was completely different than what I had expected. Just a couple of months ago it was just spectacular and now it is closing up. 89 LB was not where it was supposed although still a very good wine. Eiswein 1998 was definitely a rare treat.

20 Apr 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

"Piano" night

As promised the wines of the night. Piano this time. For real. 😂😂😂

For some reason we were sensible. What a grown up thing to do. Keeping it calm. Thank you Fabian and Jörg!

🇵🇹 2017 Docil by Soalheiro

🇩🇪 2017 Limestone Kabinett by Keller

🇩🇪 2004 Kinheimer Rosenberg Spätlese by Geschw. Albertz Erben - Alfred Merkelbach

🇩🇪 2009 Christ Riesling by Christ

Docil has got to be the answer to Portuguese answer to German Kabi. Fresh, light, fruit, minerality and a good acidity make this one a perfect wine for almost any occasion and especially in summer. Seekingits rivals. Keller Limestone is rock solid and still in a very fresh and fruity phase. Merkelbach is a fine Riesling from one of my favorite vintages but lacking some composure and length. Still very enjoyable. The Christ... well, it was way better than I remembered it but still it’s lacking depth and precision. Good to drink but definitely not a highlight.

05 Apr 2019

private @ Alex‘s

Spontaneous tasting

After tasting at Mövenpick‘s Meet the Winzer, we were all thirsty and met up at Alex‘s home for a nice round of wines. Thank you, Alex, Lotti, Zonk and Christian!

🇩🇪 2016 Brauneberger Juffer GB by Günther Steinmetz

🇩🇪 2016 Mülheimer Sonnenlay Alte Reben feinherb by Weisser Bär

🇫🇷 2014 Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion

🇪🇸 2014 Rioja Seleccion Personal by Abel Mendoza

🇪🇸 2015 Mingortiz by Finca Allende

🇫🇷 2016 Givry Le Vigron 1er Cru by Vincent Lumpp

🇫🇷 2013 Moulin à Vent by Domaine du Guéret .

🇩🇪 2015 Alte Reben Chardonnay by Bernhard Huber

🇩🇪 2011 Chardonnay by Bernhard Huber

I was particularly tough on Les Carmes Haut-Brion which was a bit uncalled for. Especially since it is a very pleasurable wine with years ahead and it‘s just starting to become what it was meant to be. I will definitely have to keep an eye on it and revisit when it‘s fully evolved.

Mingortiz is a single vineyard Rioja which shows a lot of potential and is very accessible already. Unlike its brother by Abel Mendoza which is not a bad wine per se but almost undrinkable right now. It will take years until it enters a stage where it will be enjoyable.

Chards by Huber were very solid but no match to the Bienenberg GG I have had a week before. No surprise here but given the rising prices you can even find alternatives in Burgundy. And prices in Burgundy are all wrong. .

27 Mar 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

Lotti's birthday

It’s Lotti's birthday and she has invited a couple of people to celebrate her youth and share some champagne. Champagne? I’m in. Thank you for the invitation. It was a grand night again. .

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Fosse-Grely Brut Nature by Ruppert-Leroy

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Brut Classic by Deutz

🇫🇷 2011 Champagne Prisme.11 by Guiborat

🇮🇱 2010 Blanc de Blancs by Yarden

🇫🇷 NV Longitude Premier Cru by Larmandier-Bernier

🇫🇷 NV Grand Cru Réserve by De Sousa

🇫🇷 NV Bulle de Rosé Premier Cru by Savart

🇫🇷 NV Abyss by Leclerc-Briant

🇫🇷 2007 Amour de Deutz by Deutz

🇫🇷 2012 Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru by AR Lenoble

🇫🇷 1999 Liesse d’Harbonville by Ployez Jacquemart

🇫🇷 2012 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Cannes Premier Cru by Domaine J.M. Boillot

🇫🇷 2009 Puligny-Montrachet Folatières Premier Cru by Lucien Le Moine

🇫🇷 2015 Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot Premier Cru by Jean-Claude Ramonet

🇫🇷 2000 Domaine de Montcalmès

🇫🇷 2012 Cuvée Anonyme by Xavier Vignon

🇦🇹 2015 Peccatum by Leberl

🇫🇷 1988 Château Climens Premier Cru

Standouts were the Ruppert-Leroy which had some age and the Amour de Deutz. Definitely two wonderful champagnes with a lot of depth, yeasty aromas and a clean and precise structure that made them very easy to drink and lots of fun, too.

Three Chards that were all so similar and yet so different. Ramonet sure was too young, Boillot is coming around drinking nicely while Le Moine from 2009 is probably peaking right now. Needless to say that the Climens was extraordinary.

24 Mar 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Spontaneous meet up

Spontaneous meet up with Fabian and getting to try his infamous spare ribs. Enjoying the rest of the sun with Arlette and Fabian.

Well, we can‘t go without wine so we pop a few and here‘s what we‘ve got:

🇮🇹 1989 Barolo by Tenuta Ca‘ dei Gancia

🇩🇪 2009 Pinot Noir by Duijn

🇫🇷 2012 L‘Ambroisie by Château La Croix des Moines

🇮🇹 1999 Saffredi by Fattoria le Pupille

Saffredi was a very good wine with good structure, leather, tannins and dark ripe berries. Probably slightly past its peak but still very enjoyable. If you have bottles left you should probably drink them soon. The Barolo was beyond peak and not a joy to drink so we left that bottle. Duijn a Pinot in its own style. Not bad but not what we were looking for either. L‘Ambroisie is not a grand wine but fair value from a satellite vineyard. Hedonistic and rich with fruit and power. Perfect for me at that point.

19 Mar 2019

U. das Restaurant @ Düsseldorf

Closing night

Last night at the U. Das Restaurant/NENIO and after a very nice evening at friends, I decide to drop by and witness the last hours at the U and visit Bastian Falkenroth and the whole crew one last time. It was a big party even though the reason was a rather sad one and of course, there were some awesome wines in play. Thank you for letting me take part in this and try some of these outstanding wines, Basti!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 

🇩🇪 2004 Bienenberg GG by Huber

🇫🇷 2001 Château Angelus

🇫🇷 2001 Château Cheval Blanc

🇫🇷 1996 Château Lafite Rothschild

🇫🇷 1996 Grand Vin de Château Latour

🇩🇪 2012 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett by Joh. Jos. Prüm

🇫🇷 2008 Champagne by Dom Pérignon

Latour killed it and was fresh and very powerful followed by the Cheval Blanc. Since I don’t know how long these bottles were open it’s hard to say whether or not they deteriorated in that open period and how they showed when they were opened. While the Cheval Blanc was still nice to drink, the Lafite seemed a bit tired and past peak. From what little experience I have with Lafite is that the name is bigger than the wine. Especially when you regard the price. Even though the 1998 showed really well when I had it back in December. Bienenberg is a very good Spätburgunder from an underestimated vintage and Graacher Himmelreich was just pure fun while you could criticize the texture being a bit too bold. Still a great Kabinett. Dom Pérignon is a great champagne but it is a champagne that Is usually drunken way too early and before its actual peak.

14 Mar 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

Spontaneous session

It’s just one of those days where you visit Hartwig and get stuck at his place because you will meet other wine freaks and we have a spontaneous wine tasting and caviar session. .

🇫🇷 2014 Pernand Vergelesses Sous Frétille 1er Cru by Maison de Montille

🇫🇷 2015 Chablis La Fourchaume La Pièce au Comte1er Cru by Jean-Claude et Romain Bessin

🇫🇷 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin Champs Chevys by Philippe Roty

🇫🇷 N.V. Champagne Bulle de Rosé Premier Cru by Savart

Very nice wines all of them. Bulle de Rosé was a perfect companion for our caviar creations. Surprisingly strong Chablis by Bessin with lots of minerality and elegant power. Pernand Vergelesses by Montille does not disappoint and we had definitely a lot of fun with the Gevrey with lots of flow. Seems to be in a very good spot right now. Not grand but solid wine that makes you long for the next glass. Not overly complicated and yet enough depth to keep you interested.

10 Mar 2019

private @ Essen

🇫🇷 2004 Champagne Grand Millésime by Gosset

🇦🇹 Rosé Saignée n.v. by Rebenhof

🇫🇷 Alsace Zellenberg Pinot Blanc by Marc Tempé

🇮🇹 Il Bianco di Chiara by Paolo Basso

🇫🇷 2014 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant by Nicolas Joly

🇫🇷 2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc

🇦🇹 2013 Salzberg by Heinrich

🇪🇸 2007 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial by Marques de Murrrieta

🇮🇹 1989 Tignanello by Antinori

🇮🇹 2010 Barolo Ginestra Riserva by Paolo Conterno

🇮🇹 1995 Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva by Massolino (oxidized)

🇮🇹 1997 Valpolicella Superiore by Dalforno

🇦🇹 2013 Herrenberg Sur Lie by Rebenhof (not in picture)

Castillo Ygay killed it for me. First bottle that I had that was actually good. I was very unfortunate with the 3 bottles I tried before as they all had some faults. SHL blanc was great, as was the Tignanello which quickly got tired and deteriorated over the course of an hour. Conterno was young but very enjoyable. Dalforno was great but not as good as last time. The Massolino was unfortunately gone.

07 Mar 2019

nineOfive

Spontaneous get together

When you‘re actually leaving and Alper comes in with a friend and somehow you stick. Somehow is explained very quickly: wine!

Thank you, Alper, Thomas and Christoph for this memorable experience!

🇦🇹 2011 Grassnitzberg Reserve by Weingut Tement

🇩🇪 2008 Kastanienbusch GG by Dr. Wehrheim

🇮🇹 2014 Il Carrubo by Vinding Montecarrubo

🇫🇷 1996 Pommard Les Jarollières 1er Cru by La Pousse d‘Or

🇩🇪 1996 Kirchenstück GG by Dr. Bürklin-Wolf

🇩🇪 1992 Hattenheimer Nussbrunnen Auslese by Balthasar Ress

Tement opened up after a while and gained tension and balance while Dr. Wehrheim was interesting but somehow didn‘t manage to impress. Il Carrubo rock solid without the ultimate finesse and slightly chubby but fun. Pommard a classical Burgundy with strong minerality and vinous aromas. Bürklin Wolf the highlight in this line up. Very strong all around with no fatigue and an endless finish. Ress Auslese good but somewhat unbalanced and acidic. .

04 Mar 2019

@ Home

German Chardonnay tasting 

So we’ve had this date planned for a while and it was difficult for me since the weekend has been already very long. Topic of the night was Chardonnay from Germany. 

🇿🇦 2015 Ed’s Reserve by Thelema

🇩🇪 2017 Chardonnay Holzfass by Knewitz

🇩🇪 2015 Ihriger Winklerberg Chardonnay by Dr. Heger

🇩🇪 2016 Rosenberg Chardonnay by Dr. Wehrheim

🇩🇪 2017 Chardonnay Reserve by Wittmann

🇩🇪 2016 Chardonnay 500 by Von Winning

🇩🇪 2012 Chardonnay trocken by Knipser

🇩🇪 2007 Chardonnay by Philippi (oxidized)

🇫🇷 2016 Bourgogne Blanc by Domaine J.M. Boillot

🇫🇷 2002 Gevrey-Chambertin by Domain Humbert Frères

🇩🇪 2012 Kalkmergel Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon by Knipser

Winner for the Germany Chardonnays in this selection by miles is Dr. Wehrheim. Minerality, complexity and balance make a truly outstanding wine. Philippi was unfortunately oxidized and not drinkable. Gevrey-Chambertin was tired and old with little life in it while the Kalkmergel was extremely tight still and probably needs another 5 years minimum.

27 Feb 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

🇩🇪 2016 Scheurebe trocken by Weegmüller

🇩🇪 2012 Ungeheuer GG by Reichsrat von Buhl

🇵🇹 2015 Boal by Herdade do Portocarro

🇩🇪 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon by Philippi

Easy drinking Scheurebe, while the Ungeheuer was in perfect shape and pure fun in the sun. The Boal is wayyy too young but shows its potential quite well. While drinking it underwent various stages from closing up to opening back and forth over and over again. The Cabernet took a little while to fully open up and was drinking pleasure even though you could argue that it was slightly oxidized in the nose. Great kick-off to a wild night!

21 Feb 2019

nineOfive

Random wine night

Quick pit-stop at the nineOfive to say hello to Christoph. When I finally decided to leave Ingo and Flo came through the door and I decided to stick around for a glass or two. I should’ve known that it’s not gonna be just a glass or two but see for yourself. Thank you, Ingo, Flo and Christoph! Grand spontaneous evening. Unplanned, unwanted and yet lots of fun with great wines.

🇩🇪 2012 Wiltinger Braune Kupp by Le Gallais Egon Müller

🇩🇪 2016 Hubacker GG by Keller

🇫🇷 2016 Arbois Savagnin Autrement by Domaine de Saint Pierre

🇫🇷 2015 Morey-Saint-Denis by Domaine Dujac

🇮🇹 2013 Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti by Roagna

🇫🇷 2012 Saumur La Ripaille by Domaine du Collier

🇩🇪 2017 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese Versteigerungswein by Willi Schaefer

18 Feb 2019

 nineOfive

Fabienne's last working day

It’s Fabienne‘s last work day at the nineOfive and I was invited to be part of a small get together to “celebrate” her parting ways with the pizza place that became her second home. See for yourself 😉 Goodbye, Fabienne! You will be sincerely missed here!

.

Thank you Fabienne, Ramona, Benjamin,  @weinwerk.reinhardt and Felix ! Grand night!

.

🇩🇪 20xx by Weinwerk Reinhardt

🇩🇪 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Ralph Gelbert by Brush and Bottle

🇩🇪 2017 Müller Thurgau Ralph Gelbert by Brush and Bottle

🇩🇪 2017 Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad by Weinwerk Reinhardt

🇩🇪 2016 Chardonnay-Weissburgunder Ortswein trocken by Mayerhof

🇩🇪 2017 Weisser Burgunder by Weinwerk Reinhardt

🇩🇪 2017 Deidesheimer Herrgottsacker by Weinwerk Reinhardt

🇩🇪 2015 J.J. by Julian Haart

🇩🇪 2013 Felseneck GG by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇫🇷 2014 Bourgogne Blanc by Maison en Belles Lies

🇫🇷 2015 Bourgogne Blanc by Domaine Dujac

🇫🇷 2011 Bourgogne Blanc by Jean-Philippe Fichet

🇫🇷 2016 Bourgogne Blanc by Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey

🇫🇷 2016 Meursault Les Genevrières 1er Cru by Domaine Bernard-Bonin

🇩🇪 2014 Ruppertsberg Spätburgunder by Weinwerk Reinhardt

🇫🇷 2015 Monthelie by Domaine Roulot

🇫🇷 2014 Nuits-Saint-Georges Close la Marechale Premier Cru by Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier

🇺🇸 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Tanbark Hill Vineyard

🇫🇷 1994 Vouvray Le Mont Sec by Domaine Huet

🇩🇪 2007 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese by Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken .

17 Feb 2019

Düsseldorf

Fun night with good friends

🇫🇷 Champagne Blanc de Meunier Brut Nature by Laurent Lequart


🇦🇹 2011 Ex Vero II by Werlitsch


🇩🇪 2008 Pechstein G.C. by Dr. Bürklin-Wolf


🇫🇷 2013 Saumur Brézé by Domaine Guiberteau


🇫🇷 2015 Moulin à Vent by Domaine Richard Rottiers


🇫🇷 2003 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux by Olivier Guyot


🇮🇹 1995 Salento Graticciaia by Agricole Vallone


🇩🇪 2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese by Joh. Jos. Prüm
.


The champagne kicked it off nicely although I preferred the slightly sweeter extra brut Prestige. Ex Vero is always a good one. The Bürklin was actually a leftover from the night before and while Fabian complained that it should be more complex I thought it was a fabulous Riesling even if it wasn’t necessarily grand. Brézé is always rock solid even if 2013 is still a bit too young but it actually develops in the glass. Moulin à Vent is too young and rather exhausting to drink and the Gevrey is nice but you can feel that 2003 was hot and it’s not what you would expect from a 1er cru. Very interesting Salento with an easy flow and not overly complicated. JJP rock solid.

02 February 2019

Rüttenscheid @ Essen

Dinner at Christine & Manuel

🇫🇷 Champagne Grand Blanc de Noirs Extra-Brut by Gosset

🇮🇹 2009 Venezia Giulia Sauvignon by Kante

🇮🇹 2015 Derthona Montemarzino by Roagna

🇮🇹 1998 Barbaresco by Gaja

🇮🇹 1997 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta by Dal Forno Romano

🇮🇹 2003 Amarone della Valpolicella by Dal Forno Romano

🇮🇹 1990 Barolo Barafada by Massolino

🇫🇷 1985 Château Lynch Bages

🇫🇷 2010 Château Montrose

Derthona by Roagna is a very interesting Timorasso. Not something you get everyday or usually pops up in your perception. Really good wine with a great future with acidity and tension. Dense and aromatic.

Gaja seemed a little tired but some people like it that way. Disappointing regarding how much the bottle is worth. The stars of the night were the two wines by Dal Forno. The „simple“ Valpolicella was spectacular with a long life ahead. Power, precision and complex density with ages to go but very enjoyable now. The 2003 Amarone packed a serious punch but probably needs a couple of more years until it unfolds its full potential. Sensational! But right now I would leave it for the 1997 Valpolicella.

Lynch Bages was slightly oxidized and appeared very tired. On the opposing side the phenomenal 2010 Montrose which will also need to further develop.