WineLovers Discussion Group

2004 Domaine Les Hautes Noelles Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu
Nice crisp juicy and verdant, with plenty of lime cut to go with all the appropriate dishes. But, that said, it is a bit dull and lacking the racy saltiness I wanted. Of course it is nice for what it is, and far be it from me to typecast Muscadet. But I won’t be buying this again unless forced into it on a restaurant list.

2004 Louis Métaireau Muscadet Carte Noir
This is better, crisp, crunchy salty golden carbon apples and pears. Unfortunately the fruit is a bit hollow and doesn’t have the verve or the snap one would want from top flight Muscadet. I’m really being strict here with these two wines, but hey, I’m allowed, it’s my palate and my money!

2003 August Kessler Rheingau Riesling
At $8.99 it is impossible to go wrong with this. Juicy firm glistening golden chewy riesling fruit. Not at all complex or profound, but has minerals and is nice for the price to open with ease.

1999 Domaine Comte Peraldi Ajaccio
This is not a grand wine, but it is a wine I like and in a lovely place, still firm and with plenty of fruit, but also starting to mellow in the mouth. A very civilized accompaniment to mid-week dinner.

2000 St. Urbans-Hof Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spatlese Auction
Fun golden goodness that is expressive and what it lacks in concentration it makes up for in grace, with a lovely elegant finish that gives it a serious air.

2005 Domaine Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune VV
Yes this is bloody ripe, and also bloody dark plummy young juicy and succulent. But despite the sweet middle it has a fine mineral spine buried deep within that redeems it and makes it fun. Although I haven’t yet decided if I would want to buy more.

Great notes Rashaan.Riesling is always my "go to" white with food. It's just so adaptable. Do you think the Kessler should be widely available? At that price I'm buying.

James Roscoe wrote:Do you think the Kessler should be widely available? At that price I'm buying.

The Kesseler should be available just about anywhere, at least by special order. THe 2004 beats the pants off the 2003, and 2005 is really good.

Do you think the Kessler should be widely available?

FWIW my friend purchased at The Wine Club in SF.

THe 2004 beats the pants off the 2003

Sounds great!

Yeah. It is. Quick question: was this Kesseler the Estate QbA or the 'R'?

I prefer the 2004 of both (greater acidity and delineation), but just curious.

I assumed this was a QbA. Was I wrong? What is the difference?

This was the estate QbA, and yes I can see how the 04 would have better acidity and delineation, although I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with how fun and easy the 03 was to pop and pour, which shows a use for such ripe years. Of course the fact that it had some mineral acid spine showing as well is what saved it for me.

Rahsaan wrote:This was the estate QbA, and yes I can see how the 04 would have better acidity and delineation, although I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with how fun and easy the 03 was to pop and pour, which shows a use for such ripe years. Of course the fact that it had some mineral acid spine showing as well is what saved it for me.

So the '03 managed the heat better than most? I am definitely looking to get more than a bottle of this stuff, no matter what the vintage!

James Roscoe wrote:I assumed this was a QbA. Was I wrong? What is the difference?

Kesseler makes 2 QbAs. One, the 'R' is from mostly purchased fruit. It's a great QPR.

The Estate QbA is of course all estate fruit, and an equally good value, as it is only $1 more a bottle and to my taste a jot better than the 'R'. Your mileage may vary.

Thanks David. I assumed I could get the answer from you. I will look for both.