WineLovers Discussion Group

A 24 hour stomach bug hit me right as we were starting our dinner at Triomphe Wednesday, it wasn't too bad at first but I ended up having to leave some awfully good wine, and just taking my main course home. Thursday I didn't feel like meat, but by Friday I was back to my usual ravenous self. So I had my Triomphian coriander crusted lamb chops with some leftover pasta, and opened a Bordeaux, the1999 Grand Puy Lacoste (Pauillac). I wasn't thrilled with this on release, finding it a bit empty, but this has really put on some nice weight in the last couple years. There are still some apparent tannins, but they are ripe and inobtrusive. A nice medium-bodied wine with food-friendly acidity, pleasant blackcurrant fruit, and notes of earth and cedar. Decent finish. This certainly isn't a blockbuster like the 1996 GPL, but a very pleasant wine for drinking right now. A B+/B on my usual easy scale.

Also, over several nights, the 2004 Dönnhoff Riesling QbA (Nahe). Tropical fruit with just a hint of Granny Smith apple peel, , a bit more fruit-forward than the structured 2002 & 2001, but with good crisp acidity and a mineral finish. Apparent sweetness is well-balanced by the acidity. Nice food-friendly wine, if not the must buy of the '01 & '02. B

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.