September 4, 2011

Reif Estate 2007 Kerner


(Re-Tasted September 2011) ... I just finished listening to my Weekly Wine Notes podcast about this wine and I have to admit I was in some kind of mood that day (download it to see what I mean), seems I was "giving the finger to old man winter" drinking a fruity summertime white in the dead of the cold season.  This time I drank this wine when it was suppose to be drunk, in summer, with different, but still very pleasurable results.  The nose piled on the grapefruit skin with acacia and lavender honey ... at first the palate was full of grapefruit rind / pith with a touch of sweetness through the mid-palate and a bitterish finish, there was also some slightly floral nuances on the tongue.  But give it about 15-20 minutes and it became tropical with hints of papaya.  What started out a little funky ended beautifully.

September 3, 2011

Chateau des Charmes 2005 Rosé Brut



(Re-Tasted September 2011) ... This is my go-to wine for special occasions ... I got engaged to this bottle and now I am celebrating my 1st Anniversary with this bottle, and I am positive I celebrated a few more things but failed to write them down.  Started off our anniversary afternoon with a delicious lunch of homemade fish tacos and a plan of a few movies on the big screen (in the den); what could be more romantic than opening up a bottle of bubbly while still in your jammies.  This wine is getting better and it would also seem to be getting a tad sweeter as it ages, but not unpleasantly.  The nose is baked strawberries, with some raspberries notes and a hint of bread crust in the background.  The palate is big on sweet strawberries, while raspberries join the mouth-party to tone back the sweetness with a little of their signature tartness and then comes that fresh bread crust on the nice long finish ... this was the perfect wine to celebrate another momentous occasion with; and the good news I still have more bottles with which to celebrate with.