Midweek wines 8th to 11th August

Last night we enjoyed a JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese 2007. It is noticeably sweeter than the Kabinett of the same vintage, which I have now exhausted. The Spatlese seems quite sweet and the relatively modest acidity (at least perceptually) is late to break through on the palate. I wonder whether this is just in an awkward spot or whether this is just how the wine is. I thought that the Kabinett was an outstanding wine, while this is merely good, at least at this point in its evolution.
 
A 2009 Karthausserhof Eittelbacher Karthausserhofberg Spatlese was a good antidote to the warmth this week, lovely fruit and beautifully balanced, the light alcohol was welcome, drinking really well as long as you could keep it cool
A 2020 Blackbook winery Rose, made in Battersea, grown, I think, in Kent was an enjoyable quaffer, the 13% alcohol was a little more than I would have wanted, but it was clean and well made and did the trick nicely
 
2020 Zarata Albarino Rias Baixas, Galicia Sp.
The estates range begins with the fresh, balanced and very mineral Zarate Albariño, sourced from estate vineyards averaging over 35 years of age in the parishes of Sisán and Padrenda in Val do Salnes’ central core. With wild-yeast fermentations and aging on the lees, this wine offers a character and vibrancy almost unique to the region.

Good natural cork, $21 Cda. Aromas show lemon, apricot, pear and typical minerality. Yellow green color.
Balanced acidity, very crisp, "expected higher acidity" from across the table. Grapefruit and peach on initial entry, medium bodied. Good length, think I should leave my other bottle a while to see what developes. Terrific wine, Dale has tasted the Balado and Tras da Vina..no chance of finding these up here.
:(
 
Dinner with the lead of my practice who is also a member of 67PM (and one of my sponsors on joining).
He kindly took two splendid bottles from his reserves there but my notes are rather scant given a very social meal

First up was an Albert Boxler Riesling Grand Cru - i must confess I didn't catch the vineyard or the exact year but it was late naughties (i know not very useful - sorry).
This walked a tightrope of richness and energy - more towards the stone fruit side of things. Surprisingly worked very well with some oysters.

Next up was a 2003 Torbreck Les Amis grenache - I have to say my Australian wine knowledge and experience doesn't go deep but this was phenomenal - silky Christmas spice, morello cherry, leather - rich and joyous but in no way jammy or flabby. A real eye opener for me
 
started early last night with 2010 Gouges Clos des Porrets. This is approachable and enjoyable, very much "new Gouges", but nowhere near mature. Proper Nuits, dark fruited, just a hint of chewiness. I think Gouges is a little underrated perhaps based on the reputation of older wines - I have a magnum of 99 LSG which may outlive me. Realistically it needs 10 years I suspect to really start strutting its stuff.
 
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