WTN: Drouhin and Keller

With some shu mai and assorted leftovers, the 2007 Keller Riesling Kabinett (Rheinhessen). Rich peachy fruit, some citrus, off-dry but with bright acids keeping it sharp. Nice length, some minerality, quite good for under $20 Riesling. B/B+

Betsy made a roast chicken Monday, accompanied by roasted root vegetables (parsnips and beets) and a Napa/apple slaw. We had the 2001 Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin as our dinner wine. This is a very nice wine that's drinking well now, though it reminded me more of a Chambolle or Volnay than a Gevrey at first. Floral on the nose, slightly tart but full red fruits on the palate, just a wisp of tannins, good acids. Cherries with a hint of blood orange. More delicate than meaty or earthy. Nice with the chicken. As we finished dinner Betsy got a call from the pianist from her trio, who was stranded at LGA on her way from Boston to NY. Betsy went and fetched her, we all had a small glass of the Gevrey on their return. About 3 hours after opening it was showing more of that meaty/soil edge I associate with Gevrey. Not the most complex Burg, but an excellent showing for a village wine. B+/A-

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
 

[David M. Bueker]

I sometimes wonder if the expectations laid at the feet of premier and grand cru Burgundies almost doom them to underperform. I almost always enjoy village Burgs. I think it's because I just drink them rather than probe them for the secret to life, the universe and everything.

I sometimes wonder if the expectations laid at the feet of premier and grand cru Burgundies almost doom them to underperform. I almost always enjoy village Burgs. I think it's because I just drink them rather than probe them for the secret to life, the universe and everything.

Sounds like the doggie had some musical entertainment the other evening!

Seriously, I have a great selection of classical CDs featuring piano and cello. Should play them more often I guess.

The Drouhin sounds very nice. I liked the Keller Kabinett a lot; in fact that's one of my favourite 07s so far - had a bottle late last summer and found it incredibly bright and precise - delicious stuff.