It was a while ago I did a wine tasting for that theme. But I have to say that the new world is really picking up in terms of complexity. The funny part with this time was, that after all this years of studies, exams and tastings I had my first wine tasting in German, my native language. That was odd and I actually had to think with a long aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah for the German words because I didn’t know some of technical terms, for example when you smell the wine and it reaches the olfactory, what the heck is that organ in German? As the title says the tasting was about Europe against the rest of the World. Riesling from Seifried Nelson, New Zealand (13.- Euro) against Schloss Neuweier Baden, Germany (15.-Euro) both from the 2014 vintage. As usual the NZ wine fruit driven with exotic Kiwi, lychee but some chemical tastes like yeast and the typical gasoline aromas and the German more pear, apples but the minerality was fine, present and smooth on the palate. Once again the old world shows more complexity and finesse. Both way to young of course but one can say the German has the better aging potential. For me I haven’t found a great Riesling outside of Europe except of Wiemer Vineyards at the twelve Finger Lakes in New York state, USA. But I am really trying to find one and will not give up, I think that the German sets the bar pretty high with their standards on Riesling. Now to the interesting part the red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wines from Napa Valley and Bordeaux. The Californian from Avalon Vineyards 2012 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot, 16 months in oak barrels aged (16,80 Euro) against Chateaux Tour Prignac 2012 made from 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec (15.-Euro) from Medoc, Bordeaux. So both are the same age (2012), price and almost same grape varieties. The impressions in the nose is the first big difference the oak gives the Californian a lot more complexity slightly vanilla and roasted aromas with black currents, tobacco leaves, liquorish the aromas are confirmed on the palate with medium minus acidity, fruit driven but this time I was really surprised the alcohol and the tannins are very good integrated and smooth, well done. The Bordeaux had aromas like Beef Bouillon, herbal, spices, raw meat but no evidence of oak, these aromas are confirmed on the palate. But what happened to the tannins? Well, there were almost none, one can think it is good or bad but I think if one would order it in a restaurant to a meat would get a bit disappointed. One thing is for sure two complete different wines, I think that the Avalon compared to 3 years ago when I tasted it for first time, gained in complexity and finesse. The oak was much better integrated, smooth, less vanilla and roasted tones and melts better into the wine therefore it feels much better integrated. At the same time the alcohol is not as dominant as years ago, I think it is a wine with good value for money because it is for both, without and with food very enjoyable. Whereas on the other hand the Bordeaux is a food wine and for normal consumers a rather difficult wine to drink on its own. But one can argue that this was always the case and a real problem in the Old World, especially in this region. Either they are too young and one has to wait for years until they are drinkable or they are so complex that you can only enjoy them with food, the same counts for the German Riesling.
Since it was the first private tasting for my own company I invited this people for a Riesling Spätlese 2007 Bernkasteler Badstube from Markus Molitor Mosel, Germany with some blue cheese Saint Agur. I love the off dry wines from this vineyard, perhaps for 18 Euros a bottle I was expecting a bit more sweetness for a Spätlese, however the acidity as fresh as it would be a 2014. An amazing wine with golden color, aromas of ripe mangos, lime and kerosene. On the palate fresh acidity medium plus with medium minus sugars fruit flavors are lime, ripe green apples, honey and a very long fresh finish. Together with the blue cheese the guests where very pleased and had a taste explosion on the palate, and after all these wines we tasted, quite numb taste buds.
All in all, it was fun for me and when you get some applause after the tasting means well that they enjoyed it as much as I did. Great evening!! Cheers
Since it was the first private tasting for my own company I invited this people for a Riesling Spätlese 2007 Bernkasteler Badstube from Markus Molitor Mosel, Germany with some blue cheese Saint Agur. I love the off dry wines from this vineyard, perhaps for 18 Euros a bottle I was expecting a bit more sweetness for a Spätlese, however the acidity as fresh as it would be a 2014. An amazing wine with golden color, aromas of ripe mangos, lime and kerosene. On the palate fresh acidity medium plus with medium minus sugars fruit flavors are lime, ripe green apples, honey and a very long fresh finish. Together with the blue cheese the guests where very pleased and had a taste explosion on the palate, and after all these wines we tasted, quite numb taste buds.
All in all, it was fun for me and when you get some applause after the tasting means well that they enjoyed it as much as I did. Great evening!! Cheers