Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013

Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013
8,50%
42€ (Wine-Searcher average)


Has been ages since I`ve drinked wines from Max Ferd. Richter. Their basic Riesling used to be one of my go-to summer quaffers...
Not much on the nose; honey, lemon, fresh morning dew (if that makes any sense).
On the palate a galore of pears and sour apples, with a good amount of flintyness.
There`s also a hint of botrytis in the background. Nicely balanced and surprisingly refreshing. Far from sickly sweet. Acidity gives a good lift; flavors seems to just float serenely over the palate.
Long aftertaste of honeyed pears, with even more honeyed pears and a drop of lemon. There`s some taste that reminds me of Berliner Weiße(or maybe it`s just some weird association).
Overall a delicious and supple Riesling Auslese
91

Giuseppe Rinaldi "Brunate- Le Coste" Barolo 2009

I`ve drinked lately quite a bit of 09 Barbarescos, Barolos and regular Nebbiolos.
A problematic vintage, that resulted in numerous overripe, high-alcohol wines with bitter, green tannins. But there`s also many stellar wines. Maybe just not that collectable.
This Barolo was opened up during New Year`s festivities.


Giuseppe Rinaldi "Brunate- Le Coste" Barolo 2009
DOCG
14%
144€ (Wine-Searcher)

Spectacularly perfumed: funk, earth, manor, candied berries, wet stones, bee wax, tar. Almost sweet. Some acidity, finely grained tannins. Supple and harmonious. Seducing.
Although as dry as it gets, theres a kind of inner sweetness on the palate. Surprisingly chalky, and mineral aftertaste. 
Stunning and balanced Barolo.
95

Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 2009

A Celebration of finished project, and a selection of good cheeses and salamis was good enough reason to open up a nice Barolo. Well, to be honest, there`s always a good enough reasons to open up Barolos:).

Maria Teresa Mascarello makes, in my opinion, one of the best and purest Dolcettos in Piemonte. Also, their Barberas and basic Nebbiolos are highly delicious. All in all, Bartolo Mascarello is truly one of the beacons of Langhe winemaking. But the reputation, of course, comes from Barolos.
Mascarello has become almost a synonym for a staunch and uncompromisingly traditional Barolos. Low yields, traditional Bottis and long maceration are self-evident; but also their decision to make blended Barolos, rather than focusing on specific "Crus", as the rising trend has been in Barolo in recent years, is a choice of tradition, a way the Barolos were made time immemorial.
This Barolo is a blend of Canubbi, San Lorenzo, Rue and Rocche di Annunziata.


Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 2009
DOCG
14,5%
101€ (Wine-searcher average price) 

After few hours of decanting, the aromas are jumping from the glass. Classic Nebbiolo beauty:
tar, leather, and red berry compote with loads of earthy, smoky and herbal undertones.
On the palate hauntingly nuanced, earthy and savory. Burgundian. There`s a kind of lightness of being, almost playfulness here, a phenomenal combination of elegance and power. Though the fruit is focused and delicious, earthiness is definitely the dominant element. Tannins and acidity are surprisingly integrated.
Long long, earthy, and almost salty aftertaste of liquorice. tar and Cuban Cigars..
Beautiful wine from a warm and challenging vintage
93

 

Xavier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Anonyme 2010

                                     Merry Christmas, Hyvää joulua, Frohe Weihnachten!

                                                            No Christmas without Bach!
                                         If you are in Berlin in Christmas time, go listen
                                         Bach`s Christmas Oratorio in the beautiful Konzerthaus Berlin.

Chateauneuf du Pape`s are for me winter wines par excellence. One of those wines you would like to open up on a quiet winter evenings beside a fire place, preferable after a long skiing trip.
But I do have to admit that I`ve had a somewhat on-off relationship with them. Sometimes they can be a bit too warm and alcoholic, and also a tad pricey for the quality. Furthermore there are nowadays many Southern Rhône wines outside CnP, that offer the same flavor profile and quality, with a noticeably lower price tag.
But when good, they are one of the most interesting and delicious wines in the world.



Xavier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Anonyme
2010
14,5 %
Wine-searcher average price €38

What a gorgeous vino!
Absolutely intriguing, deep and layered aromas: loads of smoke, aniseed, forest floor, vanilla, rosemary, forest berries, quite a bit of barnyardy stuff, some animal musk. Smooth and supple, yet explosive and mouth filling on the palate, with strong acidity and tannins; fresh strawberries, forest berries, grilled meat, blood, beautiful garrigue notes. Long, herbal and smokey aftertaste..
One of the best CnP in a while..
94


                                                

Clemens Busch Riesling trocken `Vom Grauen Schiefer` 2013

I don`t drink white wines in winter that often. A season for them starts normally at the end of march. But there`s no need to be a prisoner of habits.
A creamy seefood pasta was screaming for a Riesling!

Bought this Bio Riesling from a little wine shop in Berlin, Prenzlauerberg for 13 e. So not a big investment.


Clemens Busch Riesling trocken `Vom Grauen Schiefer`
2013
12,0%
Wine-searcher average price: 14€

Shy bouqet of citrus notes, yeast, flintyness.
On the palate light bodied, lively, very citrusy with a high and piercing acidity.
Medium and a bit tart aftertaste of honeyed grapefruit and lemon peel rounded up with pungent chalkyness and a hint of smoke.
A solid, midweight, entry level Mosel Riesling. Nothing to write home about, but for the price this delivers.
88

Wine themed paintings

                                           "A Glass of wine with Cesare Borgia" by John Collier (1893)

                                     "The Happy Violinist with a Glass of Wine" by Gerrit van Honthorst (1624)

                                                         "The Wine Cellar" by Gerrit Dou (1660)

                                                        "The Wine Glass" by Jan Vermeer (1660)