Spontaneously arranged gorgeous dinner with Daniel Vollenweider and Nick in Zurich.
Below wine sequence may seem crazy but it worked ..
2006 Pendits Tokaji Aszú Essencia 2006
What a wine to start with! This has the viscosity, power and depth of a big, big dessert wine while providing the freshness and drinking pleasure of a top-class Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel from Germany. No signs of heavyness at all, just pure gorgeous fruit reminiscent of starfruit, kiwi, orange, pear, yellow plum, quince, honey, beeswax. All this wrapped in finest, green tea-like tannin combined with a drug-like acidity. What a treat!
2002 Domaine Robert Groffier Bonnes Mares
Cool fruit and subtle tobacco notes on the nose. Not really opening on the palate, showing some rusticity, reminiscent of Syrah to some extent.
Maybe this wine needs more time to mature in the bottle, or it just might be one of those disappointments that Burgundy is known for.
1999 Úri Borok Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos
A classic, wonderfully balanced Tokaji. Still showing some primary fruit (fresh apricots) and a vibrant, drug-like acidity that is characterized by deep minerality.
2009 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage (rouge)
Dark fruit, amazing florality, majestic balance and structure. The mouth-feel is indescribable .. Another indispensable Chave Hermitage that requires patience.
Cheers,
Rainer