Wednesday night I did a favorite recipe, a spicy chipotle broth with monkfish, spinach, and chickpeas.
Tried the 2001 Berger Gedersdorfer Gebling Gruner Veltliner (recent mixed case where I wanted other bottles- some Nigl Privats). My only (pleasant) Berger experiences have been with the liter GVs, so happy to try a vineyard designate though worried it might be too old. Nope, still plenty of fruit, but what there wasn’t was pleasure. Hot, heavy, and honied, listed at 13.5 abv but tastes a full point hotter. Time to grab a backup. C/C+
The 1999 Loimer Steinmassl Riesling was from same lot, another “freebie” basically. But this time very pleased. Hard to believe 25, young citrus and peach fruit, s hint of ginger, very lively acids. Long and fun. A-/B+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.