- 1999 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile - France, Alsace, Ribeauvillé, Alsace AOC
I have never found the '99 to be among the best recent vintages for CFE, yet it is still an extremely lovable wine: CFE for me seems to be one of the most consistently great wines. Lime, slightly crystallised, mineral; powerful but restrained and elegant palate, dry, quite high acidity, mineral and very, very long. "Only" good when compared to say the '01 and '02, but exquisite in comparison to most Riesling. Though it brought me pleasure it is very young and there is little point in opening one now. - 1998 Chateau Musar Blanc - Lebanon, Bekaa Valley
Blind: Orange colour. If I hadn't seen the colour, from the scent I would have guessed a red Beaune: vegetal, beetroot, earthy, red toned fruit - some apricot, too. Mineral, upright, quite tannic and robust, the fruit is expressive but isn't the aspect most to the fore. Long and quite Burgundian. Perhaps the best bottle of this that has come my way so far. Lovely, but I'll try to let mine rest a long time as I think this is still very young.
1997 Chateau Musar Rouge - Lebanon, Bekaa Valley
Dried fruit, cherry, apple, some VA and earthiness/tobacco - classic Musar. Well structured, tight and vinegary, but with expressive and sweet red fruit: simply wonderful Musar. Long, earthy and deep aftertaste. This went through a phase where I thought it was quite weird, but it seems like a stupendous young Musar once again. Still needs time. - 2004 Nino Negri Valtellina Superiore - Grumello Sassorosso - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina, Valtellina Superiore - Grumello
Blind: 18,90€; 13,5%abv. Some of the wine sees barrique and it does show to a small degree, but gladly the Nebbioloness is to the fore. It is brightly cherried in its aromas. Palate-cleansing structure, ripe and slightly sweet fruit, long, refreshing aftertaste. Despite a light barrique aroma, I quite enjoyed this!
I'm deep on '98 as well.