Trittenheimer

2007 Grans Fassian Riesling Kabinett, Trittenheim (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer), Germany ($11.99 at Lopez Liquors)
This before work treat had delightful acidity that enabled you to keep doing your laundry. A nice amount of residual sugar and low alcohol (8.5% ABV)seemed as subtle as a sip of Sprite. Expect nuances of petrol, lime and other types of deliciousness. This bottle was hidden in the back of the cooler, thus making it the find of the decade--last bottle. Why don't more places have German Riesling?!!

Riesling and Cotes du Rhone

2010 Clean Slate Riesling, Mosel, Germany ($11.99 at Lopez Liquors)
It was dry and had flint on the nose. It wasn't super memmorable, but tasted good with the Thai food we were eating at Pacific Thai (on Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, CA). The sweet and spicy flavors paired well with the wine. I would've liked more acid and more residual sugar to keep up with the cuisine.



2007 La Pialade Grenache Blend Cotes du Rhone, France ($60 at Sierra Mar Restaurant)
Imagine dating someone you didn't think was that cool...at first. There were nuances of dead mouse (brettanomyces) and some volatile acidity that was a lot like worsteshire sauce. We thought the wine needed to open up, but it was our palates that did. Once we got adjusted to all it had to offer, we started to appreciate its flaws, layers and mystique. It had nuances of: fennel, cinnamon, and tar. Its color was clear and its modesty added to its complexity.

Oberhaus

2000 "Oberhauser Brucke" Nahe Eiswein - this wine was so good that I almost cried! It's complexity and low-alcohol content was greatly appreciated. I'd take this over Iniskillin in a second. The intense, bouquet, flavor and acidity were delicious ($235.00 per half bottle). The ladies who gave me a taste, started with 90' "Sugarille" Brunello by Anjelo Gaja and a 99' Cristal Brut. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2000 Donhoff Riesling "Eiswein" "Oberhauser Brucke" - Nahe - $250 per half bottle on Casanova's list. People love to hear about how the grapes aren't picked until the first freeze after the normal harvest. Even if you’re full, you could have a glass of this. The wine was so good I'm almost cried. Breathtaking acidity with a heavy viscosity. Intense everything! Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Nierstein

1997 “Niersteiner Pettenthal” Riesling Auslese, Weingut Hernsheim – I thought the color was pretty light (only a touch of gold) for being an older late harvest wine. Apparently, they use quite a bit of sulfur to stabilize the wines. I like how this gem ($65) was not sticky and a little light for auslese. I don’t know why the folks on table six were drinking this with their coffee, but I’m glad they ordered it. Last tasted fall of 2010 Drink now-2015 

Ostrich

2004 Schloss Vollrads Halbtrocken-Kabinett Riesling from Oestrich, Rheingau 11.5% (8/23/07). This cost $15 at Nielsen's and was worth every penny. The acidity was remarkable and I actually got a russet potato skin nuance that had a sanded wood spice. I felt like I was having a granny smith apple but the color was golden brown. The viscosity was like half and half milk and I thought it was Alsatian in style. Being that there's no sweetness in this wine, a customer would never refuse this. This made me salivate so much that it was stupid-wicked-retarded! Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 

Hallgarten

2005 "Hallgartener Jungfer" Spatlese Riesling from the Rheingau, Prinz 8/30/07 - so fucking good but a little too sugary. This was clearly a ripe year, but the nectarine acidity held strong like a laser. Even the old ladies on table 20 like it and tipped 20%. The next day, a couple on 34 had a half bottle and decided to take two to go. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Bernkastel

2004 "Bernkasteler Doctor" Riesling Spatlese, Weingut Wegler – This was one of my most favorite wines. Had amazing minerality, with floral and kiwi notes. It had intense acidity and wasn't very unctuous or sugary. I'm ready to go on a trip to a dessert island with a case of this. Has a long life ahead of it, unless you're alone on a dessert island for a day. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2020 

Mitelhrein

2006 Toni Jost Bacharacher Hahn Kabinett Riesling – Mittelhrein, Germany
If someone likes white zinfandel, help them change their life by giving them this. Jost is one of the best producers in the Mittelhrein region .Riesling, which is arguably one of the best white grapes in the world, takes on such a wide array of flavors that it’s easy to say, “More please.” It has intense acidity on the back part of the tongue and a bit of sweetness on the tip of the tongue. This one is low in alcohol, and the flavors are harmoniously integrated. Only a little of this leaves the country. Therefore, enjoy the spice, petrol, honey, leeches, apple, kiwi, and nectarine, flavors. Don’t be a sheep, try this wine for yourself. Last tasted 2007 Drink now

Secrets of a Sommelier

Secrets of a Sommelier: Pinot Noir at Pebble Beach Food & Wine

Rajat Parr, Wine director of Michael Mina and RN 74 says it best, “You don’t want a Pinot to be too loose.”

Damon Ornowski, Master Sommelier and Italian wine expert adds to Parr's theory, “Great Pinot has tension. It says, 'I’m going to seduce you and you’re going to have to take your time.'”

As the panel of legendary sommeliers, began to blind taste these Pinot Noirs, I took notes about how they assess a wine's color, aroma, and taste. They make note of the wine's: acidity, alcohol, earthy nuances, use of oak, climate etc.

2008 MacMurray Ranch, Russian River
It was viscus, had notes of raspberry and cherry-cola and offered potent alchohol.

2008 Cusumano, Sicily, Italy
Everyone thought this was a Barbaresco. Those Nebbiolo based wines are compared to great Pinots from nearby Burgundy. However, this one was a Pinot from an island much further south. It had firm tannins, subtle earthy notes, and it was intense and extracted. After all, a warm climate translates to more alcohol.

2009 Hamilton Russell, Walker Bay, South Africa
There were nuances of burnt tar and rubber. Nevertheless, it was bright because it came from a cool climate.

2007 August Kessler, Rheingau, Germany
This Spatburgunder had lots of acidity and extremely light-pale color because Germany is one of the furthest wine growing regions away from the equator

2009 Evening Land “The Tempest Vineyard”, Santa Rita Hills
It was woodsy like you were kicking up underbrush in a forest. It had: black cherry, baby fat (whatever that means), truffle, and ample alcohol that was balanced and far from offensive.

2007 Peregrine, Central Otago, New Zealand
Nice core fruit, great acidity and nuances of cinnamon and rose petal. Look out for wine this region. They are not showy but racy.

2009 Twomey Pinot Noir, Russian River
Larry Stone, Master Sommelier and wine god thought this was a warm-climate Burgundy, which proves that wine humbles everyone.