Maximin Grünhaus (von Schubert) Riesling Auslese “133” Grünhauser Abtsberg 1989
AP-# 34 – selected and numbered Auslesen like the 133 are this producer’s equivalent to Gold Capsule. Thanks to Rainer, a bottle bought at auction, perhaps not 100% representative, an ever so tiny fraction worn out? Looks and tastes quite youthful. Full yellow-golden colour, with perhaps the faintest green hue. No longer as fat, opulent, thick and sweet as it used to be, but beautifully expressive and minerally, nicely firm (more so than I had expected). Medium-plus body. Still contains a tiny little CO2. Chamomile, minty chives, mild lemon rind, a little balm mint, fresh bee’s wax, stone dust. Barely any tertiary characteristics. Quite steely acidity. Long and firm on the finish. Egg soufflé, and perhaps a hint at eucalyptus, Rainer said. Nicely herbaceous cool climate character, surprisingly so for a 1989 (and this one in particular). Rating: 92
Emmanuel Rouget Vosne-Romanée 1996
Raspberry ruby-black colour. Black-fruity and quite earthy for Vosne, forest undergrowth. Integrated tree bark scented oak. Gingery-smoky tannin and acidity. A little dried red beet on the lightly tannic finish. Rating: ~90
Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Chaffots 1996
Raspberry ruby-black with a red beet juice like purple hue, watery rim. Sweeter red onion tinged frozen raspberry, more youthful than the Rouget VR, and still fairly closed. Racier, more minerally and precise, but also more complex, meatier and sweatier. Nicely spicy, soft herbs. Again strong but integrated acidity. Does not really sing yet, but promising, needs more bottle age. Rating: 91+
Greetings from Switzerland, David.
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„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti