WTN: Dinner Out (Schaefer, Merkelbach, Catoir)

[David M. Bueker]

Dinner tonight at the local BYO with Salil.

2002 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese (AP 12)
Emerging creamy texture, still vibrant fruit & a tangy acid lift. Overall very good wine that is already drinking well though it shows little in the way of aged flavor notes.

1998 Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese (AP 15)
Seems even a touch younger than the Schaefer at first (bought on release where the Schaefer was purchased much later), but settles in nicely with a similar creaminess and (of course) more spice. It's quite light on its feet, and really seems like a modern (e.g. 2003 to now) kabinett rather than an auslese, but it's also rich enough to work with somewhat spicy Asian fare.

1996 Muller-Catoir Mussbacher Eselhaut Rieslaner Auslese
Orange color. Instant nose of nectarine sprinkled with chili pepper. Very tropical flavors with an intensity that is almost painful. The acids are finally starting to integrate, and the whole package is compelling from start to finish, but that nose is just wow!

Really nice dinner and the wines were all lovely. The Merkelbach was a delight to sit down with over time - really light, gentle and refreshing (as you said more like a modern Kabinett with the Schaefer seeming sweeter and richer at the table), and so easy to drink - I think we took about an hour to polish that off.
The Schaefer was really delicious as always, and the Catoir - just wow. Crazy stuff between the wild spicy flavours, tons of fruit and that blazing acidity underneath. That was just gorgeous and a real treat to drink.