29 Sep 2019

Zum Grünen Gaul @ Bochum

Vinaturel After Roadshow party

Fortunately the Zum Grünen Gaul has an interesting wine list at fair prices, too. Which makes the dining experience even more enjoyable. Thank you everyone for a grand night!

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Le Mont Benoit Extra Brut by Emmanuel Brochet

🇫🇷 2017 Saint-Aubin Le Banc by Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey

🇫🇷 2016 Les Terres Rouges by Antoine Sanzay

🇫🇷 2012 Pouilly-Fuissé Tradition by Domaine Valette

🇮🇹 2015 Le Trame by Le Boncie

🇫🇷 2017 Morgon by M. & C. Lapierre

🇩🇪 2013 Heerkretz GG by Wagner Stempel

🇩🇪 2017 Rothenpfad GG by Clemens Busch

🇩🇪 2017 Falkenlay GG by Clemens Busch

🇩🇪 2016 Fahrlay reserve by Clemens Busch

🇩🇪 2016 Alte Reben by Bernhard Huber

🇫🇷 2016 Chablis La Forest Premier Cru by Vincent Dauvissat

Kicking off the night with a fantastic champagne by Emmanuel Brochet. Always good. Saint-Aubin young but solid again as always. Les Terres Rouges is not my personal style but a decent red. Domaine Valette just amazing. Haven’t had a single bad wine from them so far. And this was just a treat. Le Boncie will be a nice Italian red. Especially considering the money. Right now way too young. Morgon also too young, so this one will take another 5-10 years. Solid display by Wagner Stempel with the 2013 opening up. Clemens Busch were all very fine and elegant wines but they haven’t even started to develop. So, they all, too, will need 5 more years at least. Alte Reben by Huber rock solid as always. And to finish the evening a nice Chablis by Vincent Dauvissat.

27 Sep 2019

TAO China Bistro Dim Sum @ Düsseldorf

Alex' birthday #lesvinesseurs

Thank you everyone for your contributions! 

🇩🇪 2011 Idig GG by AC Christmann (Magnum)

🇫🇷 2002 Cos d’Estournel

🇮🇹 2016 Carnasciale

🇮🇹 2012 Contrada R by Passopisciaro

🇫🇷 2010 Château La Confession

🇫🇷 1988 Château Haut-Marbuzet

🇩🇪 2015 Felseneck Kabinett by Schäfer-Fröhlich

Idig was in a fantastic spot although it tasted a bit too advanced for 2011. As the wine might stay this way it’s not really a problem if you still have some bottles. Cos was still in good shape and drinking nicely but 2002 was truly not a grand vintage thus this wine is far away from what a Cos can actually be. Carnasciale was still drinking nicely. Fruit forward and young but good to drink actually now. If I had bottles left, I would probably revisit in 10 years. Fortunately this wine is not massively tannic. The Contrada R is a little bit backward I have to say. I love this wine but somehow I have the feeling that this wine is closing down again. Probably won’t touch another bottle for a couple of years. La Confession and Haut-Marbuzet were two decent Bdx. Haut-Marbuzet given the age still in good shape and drinking well. La Confession can still lay low for a while. Felseneck Kabinett 2015 is a great Kabinett.

20 Sep 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Spontaneous session #lesvinesseurs

Spontaneous round at Zonk’s

It’s Saturday night and Zonk has to study. Alex and I join at 10pm to take his mind off things.

Thanks, guys! And find Alex in the background of the bottles. .

🇩🇪 2017 Limestone Kabinett by Keller

🇩🇪 2018 Kirchspiel GG by Keller

🇫🇷 2012 Bourgogne Blanc by Lucien Le Moine

🇪🇸 2010 Rioja Reserva by Remelluri

🇩🇪 2010 Rieslaner Auslese by Von Buhl

Limestone is still fresh and sharp with pointed acidity but it might be closing up soon. But I could be wrong. Still a fun wine. Kirchspiel needs air obviously and it is pretty exhausting. But it is bone dry and with strong acidity and a very good structure. Something I can’t say about a lotta 2018 German Rieslings. Smoky aromas with flintstone and a somewhat Burgundian style. Wonderful wine! Will probably take at least five years until it shows what it’s really made of but 2018 Keller is promising. Bourgogne Blanc rock solid as always and still good to go. Remelluri was a bitter disappointment. I remember that this was a good fun wine but it did not present itself very charmingly. Could have been anything terroir wise and it felt like it was bored. Almost as if you caught it off-guard in sweat pants from the couch while it wanted to do anything but shine. Bummer. Rieslaner Auslese was decent but I remember it being better 2 years ago. Maybe it will need more time to make a comeback. Very possible.

10 Sep 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

Weinfreaks tasting session

A blind tasting session of the http://weinfreaks.de and the motto is Rhine.

🇩🇪 2015/2016 Rheinspiel by Paul Schumacher

🇩🇪 2015 Oberweseler Oelsberg Riesling feinherb by Weiler-Fendel

🇩🇪 2015 Leutesdorfer Gartenlay by Paul Schumacher

🇩🇪 2017 Unkeler Sonnenberg Hochgewächs by Krupp

🇩🇪 2017/2018 Boppard Hamm Hochgewächs by Weingut Volk

🇩🇪 2018 Riesling Classic by Karl Heidrich

🇩🇪 2018 Sylvaner by Karl Heidrich

🇩🇪 2017/2018 Riesling trocken by Weingut Lithos

🇩🇪 2017 Engehöller Bernstein by Weingut Lithos

🇩🇪 2017/2018 Fürstenberg by Dalgaard & Jordan

🇩🇪 2017/2018 Rothenberg by Dalgaard & Jordan

🇩🇪 2018 Bernstein am Lauerbaum by Lanius-Knab

🇩🇪 2018 Oberweseler Felsberg by Lanius-Knab

🇩🇪 2017 An der Rabenlei GG by Matthias Müller

🇩🇪 2018 Bopparder Hamm Feuerlay Spätlese * by Weingut Heilig Grab

🇩🇪 2018 Bopparder Hamm Feuerlay by Matthias Müller

🇩🇪 2018 Feuerlay Edition MM by Matthias Müller

🇩🇪 2017 Rhöndorfer Drachenfels feinherb by Weingut Pieper

🇩🇪 2017 Bopparder Hamm Feuerlay Spätlese by Weingut Volk

🇩🇪 2017 Bopparder Hamm Feuerlay feinherb by Matthias Müller

—

🇫🇷 2010 Côte-Rôtie by M&S Ogier d’Ampuis

Many mediocre wines. For me personally only 2018 Lithos and 2017 Rothenberg by Dalgaard & Jordan stood out. More shockingly in a round of 10 experienced wine drinkers and lovers the opinions of wines diverged heavily. And we agreed rarely on any given wine.

The Côte-Rôtie we drank afterwards and it was a relief after all those Rieslings. Beautiful wine and don’t be fooled by its mere village classification. This one I would buy with great comfort.

On a side note I don‘t know why I can‘t tag the LaVinesse all of a sudden. 🙄

07 Sep 2019

Antichi Sapori @ Düsseldorf

Adolf's birthday #lesvinesseurs

No synopsis here. Just a list of wines we enjoyed that night. Left out the doubles. 

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Brut by Nathalie Falmet

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Brut by Jackowiak-Rondeau

🇩🇪 2015 Goldgrube by Vollenweider

🇫🇷 2014 Riesling by Albert Boxler

🇩🇪 2007 Wallufer Walkenberg Riesling Alte Reben Spätlese by J.B. Becker

🇩🇪 2015 Alte Reben Saar by Markus Molitor

🇩🇪 2013 Piesporter Treppchen "von den Terrassen“ by Günther Steinmetz

🇩🇪 2008 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese by Markus Molitor

🇩🇪 2015 Dhroner Hofberg by Günther Steinmetz

🇩🇪 2002 Wiltinger Gottesfuß by Van Volxem

🇩🇪 2017 Einstern * Pinot Blanc by Markus Molitor

🇫🇷 2014 Beaune Les Aigrots Premier Cru by Domaine Sébastien Magnien

🇫🇷 2013 St. Aubin Sur le Sentier du Clou 1er Cru by Domaine Sylvain Langoureau

🇫🇷 2014 Santenay Le Bievaux „L’air de rien“ by Antoine Olivier

🇫🇷 2001 L’esprit de Font Cause by Alain Chabanon

🇫🇷 2010 Marsannay Champs Saint Etienne by Philippe Roty

🇫🇷 2005 Marsannay Les Favières by Domain Charles Audoin

🇫🇷 1998 Montpeyroux Côte Rousse by Domaine l’Aiguelière

🇫🇷 2006 Vieilles Vignes by Domaine Gauby

🇫🇷 2006 Roc d'Anglade

🇫🇷 1999 Domaine Court de Mautens

🇵🇹 1994 Douro Redoma by Niepoort

🇩🇪 1997 Herrenberg Kabinett by Maximin Grünhaus

🇩🇪 2002 Bernkasteler Badstube Spätlese feinherb by Markus Molitor

🇩🇪 1998 Niederhäuser Rosenberg Auslese by Weingut Mathern

🇩🇪 1995 Kröver Paradies Auslese trocken by Müllen

Killed another four at Alex' home construction site at the after party .

🇫🇷 2010 Moulis Château Maucaillou

🇫🇷 2012 Château Batailley

🇫🇷 2017 Sancerre Silex by Domaine Delaporte

🇿🇦 2012 the Bell Tower by Asara

06 Sep 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Since Henning's garden is out we go to Alex and visit his construction site.

Thank you Zonk, Alex and Henning! 

🇫🇷 2009 Bourgogne Rouge by Lucien Le Moine

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

🇫🇷 2010 Nuits-St.-Georges „Les Poisets“ by Hubert Lignier

🇩🇪 2007 Goldtröpfchen Kabinett 1. Lage by Reinhold Haart

🇩🇪 2018 Doctor Kabinett by Schloss Lieser

🇩🇪 2008 Karthäuserhofberg Spätlese by Karthäuserhof

Bourgogne Rouge showed very differently than we expected it. But like always it performs on a very solid level and remains a very good entry level Bourgogne Rouge. Les Vaucrains 2012 is far away from drinkable. Tight and choked up, it wasn’t even close to charming. On the other end the Hubert Lignier which showed a lot more character and was opening up to us with slight matured aromas. The Reinhold Haart disappointed me big time. I loved this wine just a year ago and I cannot imagine that it went completely downhill in the past few months. Faint, short and lost all of its magic. I hope it was just a bad bottle. I still have a couple of them left. The Doctor (yes from the infamous Bernkasteler Doctor) is choked up right now. While drinkable it doesn’t present itself as much. It will show its true potential maybe in five years time. The Spätlese was on point. Still lovin’ that stuff.

31 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

Here’s to another wine night at the garden plot. Thank you Henning, Michael and Lars! .

🇫🇷 2016 Roc-Épine by Domaine Lafond

🇩🇪 2017 Vom Grauen Tonschiefer Spätlese by Römerhof

🇩🇪 2014 Hochheimer Stielweg Riesling Alte Reben by Künstler

🇩🇪 2015 Trarbacher Hühnerberg Spätlese feinherb by Martin Müllen

🇦🇹 2013 Vom Stein Riesling Smaragd by Nikolaihof

🇪🇸 2009 Reserva by Bai Gorri

🇺🇸 2013 Milbrandt Wahluke Slope Syrah by K Vintners

🇫🇷 2009 Château Cap de Faugères

🇩🇪 2014 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett by Joh. Jos. Prüm

🇩🇪 2018 Naturbursche by Gorges Reinhard

🇩🇪 2014 Pölicher Held by Kirsten

Here’s to the last garden plot wine night at Henning‘s with Michael and Lars. The Rosé is a Rosé. Nuff said. Römerhof is a nice basic Riesling with good structure and complexity. Stielweg was actually fainting a little and might be on the decline. The Spätlese by Martin Müllen is rock solid and fun to drink right now. I had trouble with the Smaragd vom Nikolaihof as the style doesn’t suit my taste but it is a good Riesling. Bai Gorri was drinking really nicely and even after just ten years it has reached a very good maturity stage. My first Syrah from Washington is a nice wine and properly done. When taking the price into consideration it probably fair value. I really loved the Cap de Faugères which is in a very good spot now. JJP also with a faint heart and lacking pressure. The Naturbursche I still like but it is definitely an idiosyncratic wine. Pölicher Held were leftovers.

30 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

Toning it down a little on a week night. .

🇩🇪 2016 Schieferstein by Lotz

🇫🇷 2015 Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes by Domaine la Grangette Saint Joseph

🇫🇷 2014 Côtes du Rhône Dentelles by Xavier

🇫🇷 2005 Bandol by Domaine Tempier

🇫🇷 2013 Minervois 2013 by La Condamine Paulignan

🇩🇪 2014 Pölicher Held by Kirsten

As much as we all want to but we can’t always drink big wines. Well, at least I can’t. Don’t have the cellar nor the pockets. You probably have seen Schieferstein here numerous times. Those were my last bottles and they needed to be drunk this year but a wonderful wine. And what a bargain it was. Followed by two minor Côtes du Rhône. Well, they won’t hurt you but pure drinking pleasure is certainly different. Domaine Tempier is drinking very nicely right now. In a great spot with everything you would expect from a wine like this. A little too thick for our taste but hey it’s Bandol. The Minvervois is drinkable but that’s about it. Pölicher Held seems advanced for a 2014 but is drinking beautifully. A classic Mosel sweet wine. Good stuff! 

27 Aug 2019

Marli @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

🇩🇪 2013 Neuweierer Goldenes Loch Riesling by Robert Schätzle Schloss Neuweier

🇬🇷 2008 Syrah by Christos Kokkalis

🇩🇪 2010 Niederberg Helden Spätlese 1. Lage by Schloss Lieser

🇩🇪 2010 Bockstein Kabinett 1. Lage by Von Othegraven

My first Schätzle wine and I have to admit that I’m not much of a Baden fan. This one is bone-dry and actually quite nice, although it won’t trigger any orders for me. The Syrah by Christos Kokkalis is a very fine and elegant Syrah straight outta Greece! If you don’t know you would never have guessed it right. Finally two sweet wines from my favorite region Mosel. Both are from 2010 but one Kabi and one Spätlese. Can’t choose a favorite here. Both fresh and vibrant with a lengthy finish and good minerality.

26 Aug 2019

The Paris Club @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

I said we had some wines and here they are. We brought the bottles and paid the corkage. Thank you everyone for your contributions! .

🇫🇷 2002 Champagne Cuvée Rare by Piper-Heidsieck

🇩🇪 2010 Abtsberg Kabinett by Maximin Grünhäuser

🇫🇷 1996 Château Haut-Brion

🇫🇷 2002 Château Latour

🇩🇪 1995 Bernkasteler Weisenstein Auslese by Sybille Kuntz

The Rare champagne is undoubtedly a very nice champagne and as the prestige cuvée from Piper-Heidsieck it really should perform well considering the price tag which is slightly below the Dom P. Enjoyable now with good balance and a long finish. The 2010 Kabi by Maximin holds much less acidity than you would expect. Lower intensity but elegant and with less pressure than I would want this wine to have. The Haut-Brion and the Latour were racing head to head even though they are from very different vintages. While the HB popped right outta the bottle and was alive and kicking the Latour took a while to fully evolve and eventually overtake the HB in the fast lane. You can argue for both wines and make a case. When giving out points you will not land apart very far. In the end it depends on which style you prefer. Both were very nice wines obviously.

25 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times #hansundludwig

And the beat goes on. We are enjoying the last days of summer in Henning's garden plot and we have some wine. Zonk is in the mood and poppin’ some very nice bottles since Hans is still here. As we are in Germany there’s Wurst! And we are joined by Alex. Thank you everyone for good times and wines!!! .

🇫🇷 NV Cuvée No. 741 by Jacquesson

🇩🇪 2015 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Spätlese by Günther Steinmetz

🇪🇸 2009 Gran Reserva 904 by La Rioja Alta

🇫🇷 2012 Château Kirwan

🇫🇷 1998/2005 Château Trotte Vieille

🇮🇹 1995 Cannubi Boschis by Sandrone

🇿🇦 1999 Peter Barlow (Magnum) by Rustenberg

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

🇩🇪 2017 Westhofen Riesling Auslese by Keller

Mostly really great wines. 1998 Trotte Vieille is really not in shape. The last bottle we had was also no pleasure and the second will make you believe that this wine is mostly gone and will not become better. If you enjoy dead wine then it might be worth it to keep your bottles. Cannubi Boschis has flavors of black tea and the fruit is definitely fading. For me personally it would be high time to drink this one up if I had more bottles. Goldtröpfchen was a pleasant surprise and a nice treat. 2009 Rioja Alta too young but very good. Peter Barlow were leftovers but still in shape. Jacquesson a decent NV champagne. Château Kirwan solid. Wehlener Sonnenuhr was nice but I remember 2007 being more powerful. Topped by a fantastic Ortswein Auslese by Keller.

23 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

Hans and I weren’t finished that day as we met up again with Henning, Georgia and Christoph later that evening.

Thank you everyone for your wines and a grand evening!

🇩🇪 2015 Wolkentanz by Kirsten

🇩🇪 2014 Kirchspiel GG by Keller

🇩🇪 1997 Riesling Spätlese by Schloss Reichartshausen

🇫🇷 2003 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

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

🇮🇹 2010 Il Blu by Brancaia

🇫🇷 2006 Faugères Jadis by Domaine Leon Barral

🇿🇦 1999 Peter Barlow (Magnum) by Rustenberg

🇩🇪 2009 Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese (Magnum) by Fritz Haag

Easy going with Wolkentanz. Kirchspiel felt more aged than it actually was which came as a surprise but it was drinking very nicely. Wasn’t much of a fan of the Spätlese though. It must be an overarching style as I have trouble with Ress wines as well to this day. Pichon Comtesse was the nicest wine of them all as the Pichon Baron performed subpar and was quite the disappointment as we all had expected more from the truly grand vintage of 2000. It must’ve been an off-bottle though. Good but not as good as it should have been. Il Blu again was a positive surprise and drinking very well and held its own while not beating the Bdx. Jadis was in no good shape at all. Peter Barlow very nice but fell short after we had all the big reds. Juffer Sonnenuhr just specacular from the Magnum. Kudos Fritz Haag.

23 Aug 2019

Bistro Sommelier @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

Joining the session that Hans and Björn were having at the Bistro Sommelier. Thank you guys for letting me have a piece of it!!!

🇫🇷 2000 Clos du Marquis

🇫🇷 1990 Château Canon-la-Gafflière

🇫🇷 1989 Château Pichon-Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville

🇪🇸 2008 Vina Tondonia Rosado by Lopez de Heredia

🇩🇪 2015 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett by Joh. Jos. Prüm

Pichon Baron beat Canon but it doesn’t come as much of a surprise. I have been wanting to try the Tondonia Rosado for quite a while now so I am grateful to have had the chance to take a swing at it. And this one is just really rare. As most of you guys know I hate Rosé but I love Lopez de Heredia. At the end of the day this wine, too, is just a mere Rosé and although it is much better than almost any other Rosé it still is nothing I would stock up on. JJP is just fantastic as almost always.

21 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

🇩🇪 2012 Bechtheimer Stein Schwarzriesling by Weinreich

🇵🇹 2012 Navazos by Niepoort

🇮🇹 1993 Sassicaia by Tenuta San Guido

🇺🇸 1994 Oakville by Robert Mondavi

🇫🇷 1998 Château Angelus

🇵🇹 2016 Reserva by Quinta do Soalheiro

Beautiful evening with beautiful wines. A tired Sassicaia and a fresh Oakville and a wonderful '98 Angélus. That was a treat!

19 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

#hansundludwig

Meeting with the Grand Crew back in Germany again. Thank you guys!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 

🇩🇪 20xx Krettnacher Euchariusberg x by Hofgut Falkenstein

🇩🇪 2015 Oppenheim 1er Cru by Kühling Gillot

🇫🇷 1998 Grand Vin de Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases

🇫🇷 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin by Domaine Denis Mortet

🇫🇷 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Château Rayas

🇩🇪 2009 Hubacker GG by Keller

🇫🇷 1995 Château Mouton Rothschild

🇫🇷 1995 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

🇩🇪 2005 Bockenauer Felseneck Spätlese by Schäfer-Fröhlich

Very nice Las Cases even though I am not a massive fan but showing really well. We all agreed that the Denis Mortet is much better than some of the CT ratings and performs very nicely for a Village. Sorry, but still not a Rayas fan. Great Keller from a hot 2009 vintage. Mouton very good but as good as you might expect. Ducru with a funky taste. Felseneck just spectacular. 

17 Aug 2019

Seerestaurant Rosé @ Auen, AT

Carinthia times

The accompanying wines for our wonderful lunch and afternoon:

🇫🇷 2016 Mâcon-Verzé by Domaines Leflaive

🇫🇷 2016 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets 1er Cru by Guy Amiot et Fils

🇫🇷 2015 Chassagne-Montrachet Clos Saint Jean 1er Cru by Domaine Paul Pillot

🇮🇹 2016 Tignanello by Marchesi Antinori

🇫🇷 2008 Château Haut-Bailly .

The Chardonnays were obviously very young. I actually liked the Paul Pillot best but it might be due to the additional year it had to age. Still a very fine Chardonnay with a fine structure, good minerality and a long finish. Didn‘t know the winemaker before but I sure hope I will come across some more bottles. Tignanello also very young but approachable and with ten more years I‘m sure this will develop into an awesome wine.

The Haut-Bailly was drinking very nicely. Not the best vintage and it can still go for a couple of more years easily but still a very nice Bdx. Unfortunately prices have risen at a staggering rate the last couple of years. .

16 Aug 2019

Café Pizzeria Peppino @ Millstatt am See, AT

Carinthia times

Millstatt Breakfast. Or should I say Stefan style? Christine, Manuel and I visit Stefan one last time before we head out to Velden am Wörthersee. Well, he promised us fireworks and everyone who knows Stefan knows that he does not exaggerate or kid around and that he keeps his promises and it’s usually epic. Thank you for your generosity and hospitality, Stefan! One lifetime of debt will not be enough to repay.

🇫🇷 2010 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru by LeRoy

🇺🇸 1994 Napa Valles Cabernet Sauvignon by Screaming Eagle

While I personally found the LeRoy rather disappointing as it didn’t show much and was lacking depth and complexity, the Screaming Eagle was a black currant explosion in the nose and mouth. Powerful, dense and made for the ages. Very enjoyable after 25 years but actually 10 years too young at least. .

14 Aug 2019

Peppino @ Millstatt am See, AT

Carinthia times #epic

If there is one constant then that wine nights at and with Stefan are always going to be legendary. So, I promised an epic line up and you will see that I was not exaggerating. And we’re talking quality, not quantity here. Although quantity also might be a factor. Thank you Christine ,  Marlies, Manuel, Hans Martinand first and foremost Stefan who spoiled us once again. My gratefulness is limitless. Thank you! 

🇫🇷 2006 Oenothèque Premier Cru Extra Brut by Sapience

🇩🇪 2016 Scharzhofberger Kabinett by Egon Müller

🇨🇭 2017 Riesling by Gantenbein

🇦🇹 2017 Ried Schütt Grüner Veltliner Smaragd by Weingut Knoll

🇸🇰 2015 Riesling by Château Belá

🇩🇪 2014 G-Max by Keller

🇦🇹 2017 unendlich by F.X. Pichler

🇦🇹 2018 Ried Singerriedel Riesling Smaragd by Franz Hirtzberger

🇿🇦 2011 Columella by Eben Sadie

🇮🇹 1985 Soldera Brunello di Montalcino by Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera

🇮🇹 1985 Sassicaia by Tenuta San Guido

🇮🇹 2006 Solaia by Antinori

🇮🇹 1991 Amarone di Valpolicella by Dal Forno Romano

🇫🇷 1990 Château Latour

🇪🇸 1985 Unico by Vega-Sicilia (oxidized)

🇺🇸 1996 Herb Lamb Vineyard by Colgin Cellars

🇺🇸 2015 Beckstoffer To Kalon by Realm Cellars

🇨🇭 2017 Chardonnay by Gantenbein

🇺🇸 2012 The Judge by Kongsgaard

🇫🇷 1996 Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes Premier Cru by Etienne Sauzet

The list is long and obviously none of the wines was really bad, so I’ll keep it short. I missed the last flight (last three Chardonnays), so no more last man standing. Can’t comment on any of those. Favorite? Too tough to say as there were so many different wines. Too different to actually compare. Epic night!

13 Aug 2019

Kleinsasserhof @ Spittal an der Drau, AT

Carinthia times

You didn’t think there no wines at the Kleinsasserhof, right? Right!

Thank you Ludwig and Manuel!

🇦🇹 2016 Gloria by Kollwentz

🇺🇸 2005 Atlantis Fe2O3 2c by Sine Qua Non

🇺🇸 2015 Trouver l’arène by Sine Qua Non

🇫🇷 1986 Château Margaux

Solid wine by Kollwentz, followed by two powerful wines by SQN. Trouver l’arène is a Grenache and the Atlantis is a Syrah. Trust me, neither am I. The Atlantis is big, bold, deep, powerful and packs a punch like Mike Tyson. Very much enjoyable right now but can probably go for decades to come. Trouver l’arène is still young and there very bold with a frame like the Hulk. But it is way more elegant and with finesse and is even able to dance on your tongue more like Spidey. Great wine but tough to predict for me what it will become eventually. The Margaux is a classic Margaux. While 1986 might not have been the best vintage for the region this wine has fully matured and entered the tertiary phase with almost no fruit left and a very tannic structure. Personally, I would have enjoyed it a couple of years ago more but I do believe that there are many wine lovers out there that would disagree. However a great, if not grand wine.

13 Aug 2019

Peppino @ Millstatt, AT

Chardonnay Battle

Our little Chardonnay flight while curing our hangovers. Manuel and I are back at Stefan‘s place and he takes us on a blind Chardonnay trip. Three Chards none of them from Burgundy. All of which had us fooled.

🇨🇭 2017 Chardonnay by Gantenbein

🇨🇱 2011 Duquesa d‘A by Aristos

🇺🇸 2016 Sonoma Coast Estate Chardonnay by DuMOL

All of them were fabulous and my personal favorite was the Aristos. Probably because it had the most age and therefore maturity. All of them are perfect candidates to slip them in a Burgundy tasting as pirates. Prices for Aristos and DuMol are fair given the quality. Fantastic Chards!

12 Aug 2019

Frau Jott @ Spittal an der Drau, AT

Carinthia time

I‘m back in Carinthia and after a 2h delay we make it out to Spittal for a little get together in the rain at Frau Jot. Fabulous and fun night with some wines. Thank you for setting this up, Manuel! 

🇿🇦 2011 Two by Constantia Glen

🇦🇹 2017 Vino Rosso Leggero by Pranzegg

🇫🇷 2015 L‘Orange by Domaine de Courbissac

🇫🇷 2002 Champagne Celebris Extra Brut by Gosset.

🇫🇷 2011 Saint-Romain Vieilles Vignes by Domaine de Bellene

🇫🇷 2011 Chablis Clos Béru monopole by Château de Béru

🇮🇹 2006 La Bora di Kante by Azienda Agricola Kante

🇦🇹 2011 INOX by Rebenhof

🇮🇹 2010 di Lieben Aich Sauvignon Blanc by Manincor

🇦🇹 2013 Ried Pfaffenberg Steiner Riesling Selection by Weingut Knoll

🇦🇹 1998 Dürnsteiner Kellerberg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd by F.X. Pichler

🇦🇹 2012 Erinnerungsgarten Wiener Gemischter Satz by Lenikus

🇩🇪 2017 Hilda Riesling Cuvée Prestige by André Macionga Cuvée

🇪🇸 2005 L‘Arbossar by Terroir al Limit .

🇿🇦 2005 Shiraz by Spice Route .

🇺🇸 2015 Bloomsfield by Domaine de la Côte

🇩🇪 2013 Pinot Noix by Daniel Twardowski

🇮🇹 2013 Sgarzon Teroldego by Foradori

A lotta different wines and incoming like drumfire with rising alcohol levels. 2002 Celebris is ripe and opulent and should be drunk now. Good champagne. Bellene and Béru were two different yet very exciting Chardonnay! Hard to match em up against each other. Unfortunately both opened up by the end of the glass. Young with upside potential. Ambitious Sauv Blanc by Manincor. Fascinating Selection Riesling by Knoll which was just fantastic. Also liked the GV which is rather rare with me. Great Bloomsfield again and a rather rich and opulent Pinot Noix. Very nice Sgarzon. .

Yeah, we grilled and of course we had some wines. Thank you Fabian, Alex and last but not least Henning!

🇫🇷 2018 Saint Paul Sauvignon Blanc by La Baume

🇩🇪2014 Basalt Weissburgunder by Odinstal

🇫🇷 2016 Chassagne-Montrachet

Champs-Gains 1er Cru by Slyvain Morey

🇩🇪 2011 Halenberg GG by Emrich-Schönleber

🇩🇪 2014 Riesling trocken by Kirsten

🇮🇹 2011 Maldafrica by Azienda Agricola COS

🇬🇷 2010 Can someone please translate?

🇪🇸 2013 4Kilos

🇩🇪 2008 Cuvée X by Knipser

🇩🇪 2016 Goldtröpfchen Kabinett by Haart

Nice 1er Cru by Sylvain Morey. Loved the 2011 Halenberg which is in a perfect spot right now. Maldafrica still too young and needs more time to fully evolve. 4kilos had us all fooled again. Goldtröpfchen young but very joyful. Cuvée X still being difficult. .

09 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

🇫🇷 NV Champagne Insouciance Rosé by Huré Frères

🇫🇷 2011 Champagne Prisme Grand Cru by Guiborat .

🇩🇪 2018 Piesporter Grafenberg by Günther Steinmetz

🇩🇪 2018 Lehmener Ausoniusstein by Steinmetz & Gerlach .

🇩🇪 2015 Muschelkalk Magnum by Odinstal .

🇫🇷 2018 Côtes du Rhône Blanc by Domaine de la Janasse

🇫🇷 2015 Inopia by Rotem et Mounir Saouma

🇫🇷 2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes Magnum by Domaine Saint-Préfert

🇫🇷 1995 Pouilly-Fuissé by Château Fuissé .

🇫🇷 2014 Pinot Blanc by Albert Boxler

🇦🇹 2015 Ried Zieregg Sauvignon Blanc Magnum by Tement

🇫🇷 2012/2015 Bourgogne Blanc by Lucien LeMoine

🇫🇷 2009 Beaune Les Grèves 1er Cru by Domaine de Montille

🇩🇪 2013 Trittenheimer Apotheke Alte Reben Auslese by Loersch .

Won‘t say much about the wines as most of them were performing as expected. Wine of the night was the Auslese and I‘m not saying that because Alex is my friend. It‘s just an impressive display of a great noble sweet Riesling from a fabulous vintage!

Proof of why I love sweet Rieslings so much and why I neglect most of the other sweet stuff world-wide. Grand job with a grand future still! .

08 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

Zonk is in the house again and he brought some gifts for us to try. Most of it was opened the day prior with Henning but still I am able to get an impression of the wines. Thank you for this little gift! .

🇫🇷 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Arioso by Rotem & Mounir Saouma

🇩🇪 2013 Saarfeilser Faß 13 GG by Peter Lauer

🇺🇸 2014 Monte Bello by Ridge

🇩🇪 2005 Bockenauer Felseneck Auslese by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇫🇷 2009 Barsac by Château Nairac

The Arioso never seizes to amaze me as I would blindly never guess it is a CdP. Pure elegance from CdP but still years too young. It’s basically still a baby and while it is drinkable it is not much of an enjoyment and probably only a fraction of what it is supposed to be.

Lauer 2013 is spiking in acidity and appears to be out of balance. Unsure whether this will still settle or if the bottle might have been faulty. I have had way better Lauer wines. .

[EDIT] The Monte Bello is undoubtedly young but accessible and as always a fabulous wine. Still, it’s at least five years too early for this wine.

Felseneck was rather weak, too. Which is very unusual. But broad in taste with lacking structure and acidity. Also very unusual. Could have been the bottle as well, as I had 2005 SF before which was a great wine back then.

The Barsac is a display why I’m not much of a fan of Bdx sweet wines. Although not fortified this one holds 13.5% and appears alcoholic. The texture is broad and thick and competes therefore with Beerenauslese or even Trockenbeerenauslese. My argument is that German noble sweet wines perform vastly better, cost less and have more complexity, less alcohol and provide a much more balanced total experience.

02 Aug 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

Lovely night in smaller constellation. Thank you everyone! .

🇫🇷 NV Blanc de Blancs by Charles Heidsieck

🇫🇷 2006 Millésime Rosé by Charles Heidsieck

🇦🇷 2017 Chardonnay Grande Reserve by Domaine Bousquet

🇦🇺 2015 Tout Près by Farr

🇩🇪 2013 Kalkmergel Spätburgunder by Knipser

🇿🇦 2012 Bell Tower by Asara

🇩🇪 2012 Felseneck Kabinett by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇩🇪 2015 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Auslese by Hoffmann Simon

🇩🇪 1971 Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese by Norbert Schmitz

🇩🇪 1993 Brauneberger Juffer Auslese by Thanisch

Two fantastic champagnes by Charles Heidsiek. As always I might add while it still stands to argue if the simple BdB is even better than the vintage Rosé. We tended into that direction. Tout Près still young. Kalkmergel very impressive and in a very good spot right now. Felseneck Kabi slightly chubby but still fantastic. 1971 by Schmitz and Juffer by Thanisch both with TCA.

30 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

Since we can never stop playing cards we had to throw in another session at Hennin's garden and had another quiet night. Third man (no rating) as always the reliable Alex for a nice round of Skat. We‘re becoming pros here 😂😂😂

Thank you for yet another nice evening of cards and wine!

🇿🇦 2015 Riesling by Thelema

🇩🇪 2018 Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett by Fritz Haag

🇩🇪 2017 Brauneberger by Fritz Haag

🇪🇸 2004 Finca Villacreces

Thelema Riesling even though it’s not high end is the first New World Riesling I have tasted so far that I would consider a Riesling. Quite surprising with somewhat cool characteristics and decent to drink. Love the work by Fritz Haag. Always. The Kabinett sure is young but in a phase where you can still enjoy it. Of course, they can’t hide the fact that 2018 was a difficult year due to extreme and long-lasting heat. The 2017 Brauneberger is fantastic value for money. Can still go for years but still a pleasure to drink right now. The Villacreces from the famous 2004 is a very nice Ribera with fair value. No it does not begin to compare to Vega Sicilia or Pingus but it costs a fraction of the other wines. Great job on the Ribera!

28 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

Yet another round of Skat and wines at Henning's garden plot. We just can’t get enough. Quiet Sunday though after two wild nights. And flying alongside Alex. Thanks guys! .

🇩🇪 2017 Wintricher Ohligsberg GW by Günther Steinmetz

🇩🇪 2017 Kestener Paulinshofberg GK by Günther Steinmetz

🇦🇹 2000 Von den Terrassen Riesling Smaragd by FX Pichler

🇫🇷 2009 Château Haut-Bages Libéral

The two Steinmetz didn’t convince us right now while we’re not sure if they are both just closed if they lack in certain areas. Will have to follow up on these wines in a few years time. The Smaragd was a leftover from the LaVinesse and it was well beyond its peak but still enjoyable. Could have been a fantastic wine a couple of years ago.

Haut-Bages Libéral was drinking ok but didn’t give us any kicks. For the money it’s an okay wine I guess. But there should be options even in Pauillac

27 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

We are invited to party Christoph's garden plot. Where there is Christoph, there will be wine. Thank you for the invitation and everyone who brought wine as well!!! 🙏🏼 

🇪🇸 2004 Gran Reserva 904 by La Rioja Alta (Magnum)

🇩🇪 2011 Oestrich Lenchen Spätlese by Peter Jakob Kühn

🇩🇪 2016 Trittenheimer Apotheke Jungheld Holzfass by Loersch

🇩🇪 1976 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese by Weingut P. Licht-Bergweiler Erben

🇩🇪 2018 Rosengärtchen Kabinett by Loersch

🇫🇷 2008 Château Léoville Poyferré

🇩🇪 2009 Wallufer Walkenberg Spätlese by J.B. Becker

🇵🇹 2015 Brutalis by Vidigal Wines

🇩🇪 2012 Felseneck GG by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇫🇷 2013 Bourgogne Aligoté by Philippe Pacalet

🇩🇪 2011 Kallstadter Saumagen Kabinett trocken by Koehler-Ruprecht

🇩🇪 1985 Kiedricher Sandgrub Spätlese by Weingut Freiherr zu Knyphausen

🇩🇪 2013 Godramstein Gewürztraminer by Münzberg

🇮🇹 2007 Carmignano by Tenuta di Capezzana

🇪🇸 2015 Navaherreros by Vinos de Madrid

🇫🇷 2007 Gewurtztraminer by Trimbach

🇩🇪 2015 Morstein Klang der großen Lagen by Seehof

🇫🇷 Viré-Clessé by Bastion de l’Oratoire Chanson

It’s been a long night and everyone who has partied hard with a lot of different wines that came in at a lotta different points in time know that this is a tough task to master. Gran Reserva is rock solid even though I prefer it from the regular bottle right now. The magnum will take a little longer (no surprise here). PJK with the Lenchen Spätlese made a wonderful wine which is drinking beautifully right now. Jungheld with a lot of potential but still very young. Felseneck once again made a stunning appearance and basically evaporated within minutes upon opening.

26 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

It’s summer time, so we drink a lot of water with a twist. That twist being alcohol. And water in form of wine and champagne. Let the games begin. This time we had 5 casualties. 😂😂😂 Thank you, Henning, Sonja, Sabine, Lars, Kai, Zonk, Hartwig and Alex!!! Another legendary night! 😉 .

🇩🇪 NV Reserve Brut by Von Buhl

🇪🇸 2015 Relais Brut Nature Gran Reserva by Recaredo

🇩🇪 2015 Wolkentanz by Kirsten

🇩🇪 2015 Rosenberg Chardonnay by Dr. Wehrheim

🇩🇪 2015 Drei Helden by Pauly

🇩🇪 2015 Felseneck GG by Schäfer-Fröhlich

🇪🇸 2009 2/vb Vimblanc Blanc de Negres by Capcanes

🇪🇸 2016 tabula rasa by Domaine des Enfants

🇪🇸 2009 Gran Reserva 904 by La Rioja Alta

🇩🇪 2009 Cuvée X by Knipser

🇪🇸 2004 Tinto Reserva by Pesquera

🇫🇷 2012 Château d'Ampuis by E. Guigal

🇩🇪 2015 Trittenheimer Apotheke Alte Reben Spätlese by Loersch

🇪🇸 2004 Aalto PS by Bodegas Aalto (Double Magnum)

Looking back at it now it was quite a Spain heavy evening. Notable wines are a spectacular 2012 Felseneck and as ever the Gran Reserva which will still need a couple of more years to peak. Rosenberg is still choked up and will need a few more years. Cuvée X and I have a love hate relationship. This one was greenish with vegetable notes as opposed to the fact that it comes from the very warm 2009 vintage. Don’t know what happened here but we didn’t enjoy this. Pesquera fell a little short of expectations from an infamous 2004. Château d'Ampuis caught me off-guard and I had a hard time rating it but the wine is good. Context was difficult for the wine. Fabulous Spätlese by Loersch. Even though it is accessible now, it’s slightly thick and very much fruit-driven. Give it a couple of more years and this will become a star. The 2004 Aalto PS was everything you want from a Ribera. Just shy of being grand.

21 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

It’s the Sunday and after hanging out at Henning’s till the break of dawn, I’m back in the afternoon and @alkle100 is still here. We play cards again till one of us drops (Alex) and of course have some wine. :D 

🇩🇪 2016 Schieferstein by Lotz

🇩🇪 2018 SL by Schloss Lieser

🇩🇪 2017 Neumagener Rosengärtchen „von den Terrassen“ by Günther Steinmetz

🇩🇪 2015 Morstein by Seehof

🇩🇪 2015 23/7 by Jan-Philipp Bleeke

🇩🇪 2009 Luitmar by Philipp Kuhn

Lotz is still the Best Buy I have made in recent years. If you happen to still have some you should probably drink them now as they are most likely not going to get better. Rosengärtchen has lots of finesse and crisp acidity (as always) while the Morstein is in a very good spot now. Can even age for a couple of more years even though we had some bad experiences with the 2012 vintage. 23/7 by JPB is a very interesting project that I came across at the Klitzekleiner Ring. Still holding up and a very nice Riesling but from what I understand it’s almost sold-out anyway. Looking forward for new wines from JP. The Luitmar is a pricy freak red wine from the Pfalz and you probably won’t see me spending any money on this type of wine in the near future.

20 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden times

It’s a Saturday and it’s time for another garden session at @hburgardt

Lars has failed to show up so it’s Jutta, Henning, Hartwig, Zonk, Alex, Sabine, Kai and I to get into business here. We were joined later by Christoph and Georgia.

🇫🇷 2006/2009 Champagne Vintage by Pol Roger

🇫🇷 2005 Champagne Brut Millésimé by Alfred Gratien

🇩🇪 2012 Schiefersteil by Markus Molitor

🇩🇪 2017 Röttgen Kabinett by Knebel

🇩🇪 2016 Goldtröpfchen by Julian Haart

🇩🇪 2015 Quarzit by Peter Jakob Kühn

🇩🇪 2016 Chardonnay by Matthias Gaul

🇨🇭 2008 Pinot Rhein

🇫🇷 2015 Château de Pressac

🇫🇷 1998 Château Trotte Vieille

🇫🇷 2007 Terre d’Argile by Domaine de la Janasse

🇫🇷 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Clos des Papes

🇮🇹 2011 Composition Reif by Josephus Mayr (Magnum)

🇩🇪 2017 Limestone Kabinett by Keller

🇩🇪 2011 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Spätlese by Später-Veit

🇩🇪 2011 Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Auslese by Emrich-Schönleber (corked)

Personally I preferred the 2006 over the 2009 Pol Roger. 2006 is in a matured state with much more complexity, richness and flavor than the pretty straight-forward 2009. Röttgen was off, as was the Quarzit by PJK. The latter had high acidity which was not in harmony with the wine but stood beside it. Surprisingly strong was the Chateau de Pressac which seems to be in a very good state now. Still or again. Can age for another decade for sure but it is enjoyable right now. Trotte Vieille appeared a lot younger and still very uneasy with tannins and vegetable aromas of green pepper.

14 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Pizza and wine session

Quick round of Pizza and wine with Fabian, Anna, Henning and Patrick. Missed two bottles but I wasn’t able to count at 6 a.m. 😂😂😂 Thank you everyone!

🇩🇪 2015 Paradiesgarten by Von Winning

🇬🇷 2015 Assyrtiko by Gaía

🇦🇹 2016 Muskateller by Nikolaihof

🇩🇪 2011 Idig GG by A.C. Christmann .

🇫🇷 2010 Château Le Thil

🇫🇷 2009 Château Bernadotte

🇫🇷 2009 Château de Pressac

🇿🇦 2009 Peter Barlow by Rustenberg

🇫🇷 2013 Brézé by Domaine Guiberteau (not in pic)

🇫🇷 2016 Les Chapaudaises by Brendan Stater West

Most surprising was the Assyrtiko! Truly great wine from Greece that should never be underestimated.

All of the other bottles performed within the range that you would expect them to. Idig being in a good spot now and Pressac slightly ahead of Bernadotte. Brézé stunning as always but it took a while in the carafe until it opened up. .

13 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Rheinkirmes wines

When you want to go to the Rheinkirmes just cross it and then have some wine with Alex and his family and enjoy some wines and the view from the parent’s balcony.

🇫🇷 2014 Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot Premier Cru by Jean-Claude Ramonet

🇫🇷 2012 Jean Gautreau by Château Sociando-Mallet

🇫🇷 2008/2012 Connétable by Château Talbot

A young and crisp Morgeot a very enjoyable Sociando and a clearly superior 2008 to the 2012 Connétable.

12 Jul 2019

private @ Düsseldorf

Garden time

Hanging out at @hburgardt garden plot and ending up playing cards till 6 a.m. with him and @alkle100 . .

🇪🇸 2011 Pena el Gato by Juan Carlos Sancha

🇫🇷 2003 La Migoua by Domaine Tempier (cork taint)

🇫🇷 2006 L’Asphodèle by Saint Daumary

🇫🇷 2011 La Bastide Blanche by Bronzo

🇩🇪 2014 Pinot Noir Réserve HE by Bernhard Koch

🇫🇷 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Le Vieux Donjon

🇩🇪 2016 Schieferstein by Lotz

🇩🇪 2016 Wintricher by Julian Haart

🇩🇪 2016 Ohligsberger Kabinett by Haart

🇩🇪 2007 Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Spätlese by Schloss Lieser

Biggest disappointment was the Tempier, of course. It’s probably not a bad wine but you’re just disappointed every time you get a bottle with cork. Bummer. A lot of the fat Southern France wines actually showed quite nicely and worked perfectly with our flap and flank steaks. As a friend recently said, they’re not meditation wines. I wouldn’t buy them to enjoy them solo and meditate over them. They are nice companions for grilled meat and you can drink a glass or two solo. The Pinot Noir from Koch actually surprised as it was more elegant than we all remembered it. Then again coming off from those thick wines elegance was probably easy to create. Schieferstein an easy drinker that I still love but 2016 should be drunk about now. It’s getting vinous notes that don’t necessarily belong in that wine. Also surprising the Wintricher. Lots of fun now with drag and pull. Fabulous Riesling! Solid job on the Ohligsberger by Haart but still too young. The Sonnenuhr Spätlese was apart from lacking a little bit of acidity pure joy!

06 Jul 2019

LaVinesse @ Düsseldorf

Altos del Terral tasting

Christian invited us for a quick tasting of @altosdelterral Riberas that he found a while back. Now he wanted to present these wines and get some feedback on it.

Altos del Terral:

🇪🇸 2016 Terral Crianza

🇪🇸 2015 T1

🇪🇸 2011/2015 Cuvée Julia

🇪🇸 2011 Au by Bodegas Baden Numen

Beautiful Riberas! The entry level Terral didn’t completely convince me but I loved the T1 for its cool feel and very fine elegance. Unbelievable it’s actually a Ribera packing a whopping 14.5%. But it’s a beautiful and ai can’t wait to taste it again with more maturity. The Cuvée Julia is a a powerful Ribera with all the right ingredients. The 2011 shows good prospect and will need an additional 5 years at least. Then again for the money I am inclined to buy Aalto. The Au is different in style and appears a litte more rustic. Great to have two 11s side by side. Which one you prefer solely relies on what you prefer stylistically. My personal favorite of them all is the T1.

Thank you for the tasting, Christian! .

.