Wieder mal sind einige Monate des sporadischen und unorganisierten Probierens vorüber gegangen, und so wurde es wirklich mal wieder Zeit für eine schöne, ausgedehnte Weinprobe mit viel Gelegenheit zum direkten Vergleich. Da trifft es sich gut, dass Weinliebhaber Oskar eine fröhliche Weinrunde zur spanischen Weinprobe in den Gewölbekeller des Alten Hofs in Wallau geladen hat. Im Gepäck hatte Oskar eine große Vielfalt an Flaschen, so dass die Probe einer Entdeckungsreise quer durch die spanische Weinlandschaft glich. Highlights gab es dabei nicht zu wenige, doch ich will jetzt nicht zu viel verraten. Als Bewertungssystem habe ich mich für das einfache aber praktische -,+ und ++ entschieden wobei – für “unter den Erwartungen”, + für “gut, entspricht den Erwartungen” und ++ für “sehr gut, deutlich über den Erwartungen” steht. Hier sind meine Notizen: Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve come across this wine a couple of times now. Posts about it have already been published here in May and July of 2008 and just recently I had it twice in a matter of only 3 months and now again I am popping a cork of this 2003 Alion from Ribera Del Duero. Of course it belongs to a category of wines that are a little controversial as it opposes aficionados of modern Spanish wines and those who prefer the more traditional ones. But somehow I believe Alion is right in between these two styles: a modern interpretation of traditional Spanish wines as to say, but not a super-extracted monster, although this verdict might also depend on drinking-circumstances. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve had many many Terroir wines lately, including lots of so called Vins Naturels which I enjoyed much. So I thought it might be interesting to abruptly go back to a New World modern wine and feel the big contrast between these diametrically opposed wine categories… Read the rest of this entry »

Blind Tastings are supposed to be the essence of this website and yet, it happens that none occurs for very long periods of time. Hence I felt somehow relieved when we finally found a date that worked for all of us and the topic was rather secondary at first.
But then Oskar told me he wanted to make it a special tasting and that he’ll take care of the bottles. I could easily live with that, and laid back in awaitance of some decent wines. Read the rest of this entry »

After having spent some time in Madrid visiting museums and eating tapas, I was on my own for 2 days and had to find a meaningful occupation for myself. Since I already got my dose of art and architecture, I decided to become hedonistic and locate my favorite wine shop Lavinia which I already thoroughly inspected in Paris (they now have shops in Barcelona and Geneva also). Of course, I expected the Madrid mothership to also have a specimen of my favorite toy and I wasn’t disappointed. In the end I spent nearly 3 hours in the store, sipping what “the machine” had to offer. Here are my notes.

2007 Predicador Blanco, Rioja, Benjamin Romeo. A white cuvée made of Garnacha Blanca, Malvasia and Viura. Weird nose to me: rather floral but reminding cidre and furniture polish at the same time. A bit stinging on the palate, rather high acidity, some wax, slightly alcoholic, a little salty in the finish and a very good length. This is a totally untypical wine to me but I would also agree with you if you think my notes are a bit untypical too. Read the rest of this entry »

Sehr dunkle aber auch sehr schöne brillante Farbe die leicht in ein leuchtendes Fuchsia geht. Nase von in Vanille eingelegten Himbeeren: Ein sehr süßlicher Eindruck mittlerer Intensität. Mittleres Gewicht am Gaumen, noch leicht adstringierend, aber mit enormer Hitze im Finish – die 14,5% merkt man sofort – soll diese über eine eher mittelmäßige Länge hinwegtäuschen? Read the rest of this entry »