WTN: BS and HP

Lovely meal tonight at aerde in Berlin. One of these places that follows the theme of only using ingredients from Brandenburg/the local region (which means no lemon, no olive oil, no pepper, etc). But, they have a more generous approach to the concept than places like Nobelhart & Schmutzig. Fun food (they grow chili peppers in greenhouses, so they can get some flavor into the dishes) and relaxing vibe.

A bit disappointed with 2020 Battenfeld-Spanier Frauenberg Riesling GG. Ripe round and also firm, but a bit hollow/disjointed in the middle. Maybe it needs more time, more air, but tonight was not the fun moment.

Much better experience going abroad with 2015 Huet Vouvray Pétillant. Firm ripe golden 2015 fruit, with all the dazzling minerality and precision that one could want. My friends were impressed and I was happy.

[David M. Bueker]

Welcome to 2020 in Germany. It’s a sea of mid-palate holes.

Welcome to 2020 in Germany. It’s a sea of mid-palate holes.

Yes, that may be a vintage feature, although this wine has gotten some very positive reactions.

I actually kept having a nagging feeling that it was lightly corked. But after I did a double check at first, the wine server checked and she did not find it corked, and my friends didn't mind, so I didn't want to be the annoying guy, and hoped it would open up (which it never did). I'm hardly the comprehensive expert, but from a few other recent bottles, I also wonder if this is an awkward phase for many 2020 GGs.

[David M. Bueker]

There's a potential that it's a bad time for the 2020s. I opened a 2020 Kilburg Ohligsberg Trocken the other day that seemed like it was hiding.

Thanks for notes. I've enjoyed the few Battenfeld-Spanier wines I've had, but not really buying from Lyle right now so all in past.
I've been remiss at trying recent Huet petillants, should remedy.

Thanks for notes. I've enjoyed the few Battenfeld-Spanier wines I've had, but not really buying from Lyle right now so all in past.

Is Lyle the main US importer for Battenfeld-Spanier? I would have expected them to have someone bigger.

I've been remiss at trying recent Huet petillants, should remedy.

Yes, I always enjoy them. But they get lost in the shuffle for me as well... This definitely reminded me of their pleasures.

I don' know re distribution. I see a few places with current BS wines, so likely a distributor (although one is Wine Cellarage which I think does some grey/direct stuff). But I clicked on a few of the BS wines with largest holdings in CT, then clicked on top stores, listings were all Fass, German retailers, or the Scandanavian monopolies!