As timing would have it, I arrived for my summer in London at the same time David Bueker was coming through town for work. So, we could finally meet in person over dinner.
I had just come from Germany, with a six pack of 2006 Gutsverwaltung Niederhausen Schlossböckelheim Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Kabinett Trocken that had been given to me by my in-laws. I didn’t know what to expect but I was more than pleasantly surprised, with firm minerally fuit, a lively twang, and much more life than I expected. I liked it better than the 2002 Clemens Busch Pündericher Marienburg „Weissenberg“ Riesling Spätlese, for which I had higher hopes, but which showed a bit dull. The Clemens Busch got better with air, and had some nice spicy fading/maturing/mellowing spätlese notes. But the package didn’t sing, or even whisper. At least tonight.
We were both curious about the 2001 Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses „Ile des Vergelesses“ and luckily it showed pretty well from the opening. Clear crisp IdV fruit that went well with David’s roasted chicken (or so I was told) and tasted even better once we got the staff to bring us the nice glasses they had been hiding all night. Lovely wine that probably has a lot more complexity to develop, but, which has some seductive deep clear and crisp elements to enjoy right now.
On David’s paths through London he picked up a bottle of 2005 Huet Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux that we were not unhappy to drink. It was not closed or in a particularly „difficult“ stage, although it clearly has a long future of development ahead of it. It was very well-balanced, with all the right pieces, and even though it didn’t scream expressiveness, it was good fun. And I’m definitely happy to have the rest of the bottle sitting in my refrigerator for future evaluation...
