- 2007 Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincészet Tramini - Hungary, Pannonhalma-Sokoroalja (10/22/2008)
12,65€. Gewürztraminer; 13% abv; 5,2g/l acidity. The nose is very true to the grape with its litchi and rosewater aromas, but these aromas are in a more restrained and elegant style than seems common for the grape. It is a strongly mineral rather than an explosively fruity scent. Fully dry palate, quite forceful even, deep, grippy and even earthy palate with surprisingly noticeable acidity for the grape. Long, mineral aftertaste. The power, dryness and elegance brought Alsace of the Trimbach style to my mind! Very nice.
A couple brief tastes at a formal tasting:
- 2006 Miguel Torres Priorat Salmos - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat (10/20/2008)
22,90€; 14,5% abv; Garnacha, Syrah, Cariñena. Purple. The nose is very ripe, with sweet red berries and darker fruit notes, much barrique-scents but gladly the toast seems moderate rather than high. The taste is extremely full-bodied and extracted, but it does have lovely structure: moderate acidity and refreshing tannins. I think that those who appreciate Priorat might find this to be a perfectly decent, moderately priced example. But I must confess that apart from a Trio Infernal I have been uniformly let down by the area, so I am not a good judge of this wine: I don't like new oak and big fruit and body. - 2006 Spiess Bechtheimer Geyersberg Riesling Trocken "S" - Germany, Rheinhessen (10/20/2008)
23,90€; 12% abv; 6g/l RS; 8g/l acidity. Ripe but pure Riesling fruit, strongly mineral, some quinine-like bitterness. Dry but not tart, ripe but not overly fruity - it is balanced and seems like a success (but this was just a quick sip, not a proper taste over dinner). Good enough that I will buy one to try over dinner some day soon.
