Carl Schmitt-Wagner Longuicher Maximiner Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese
2004 (Mosel)
I'm starting to love Schmitt-Wagner's wines more and more every time I
open one. I always find them incredibly underrated, amazingly good
value - I bought both the 05 and 04 Spatlesen recently at under $20
each, and both have blown me away - and heck, it's Mosel Riesling. And
this wine, btw, sums up every thing I love about Mosel Riesling. Low
alcohol, light bodied, incredibly clean and pure flavours of apple,
citrus fruits and some peach and TONS of slate. Plenty of acidity,
very elegant - and amazingly good value. And I love how food friendly
it is. Had it over the course of 3 nights, paired a glass or two with
everything from Manchego and Gouda cheese to grilled chicken and
potatoes and a South Indian rice dish with vegetables - and it was
amazingly versatile without losing its charm over that time in the
fridge. I need to get more of this, and then find some more of the 05.
And I can't wait to try the 06 once it comes out.

Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape 2003
The complete opposite to the Riesling. Dark red, full bodied and
crammed with red fruits and pepper flavours with a touch of herbs on
the nose. The mouthfeel isn't pleasant - it feels backwards, rough and
quite tannic, and as the wine warms a little, the alcohol really
starts to dominate the finish. Bring on the fire extinguisher.