Mark Lipton made it up to Chicago yesterday and the two of us caught
up for dinner at Spoon Thai. Terrific food (as is par for the place) -
between the two of us we went through some grilled pork skewers, a
pork and rice based sausage, a Northern Thai pressed ham salad with
ginger, onion, coriander and peanuts and a chicken dish in holy basil,
along with some lovely wines.

1998 Zind Humbrecht Riesling Clos Häuserer
This seemed a little closed at first (compared to my earlier
experience with this wine), showing just a little petrol and honey on
the nose after opening. As it breathed a little and warmed, it started
to open beautifully showing a tremendous nose with petrol, honey,
apricot, citrus fruits and spicy botrytis notes. Despite the apparent
botrytis this was quite dry on the palate with a rich, slightly oily
texture and more flavours of stonefruits, citrus and honey with
moderate acidity and a long finish.

2003 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Pittermänchen Riesling Spätlese
I mentioned to Mark before opening this that I had heard quite a few
comparisons drawn between Donnhoff and Diel in terms of sheer quality
- after a few glasses of this, I felt it was justified to some extent
at least. This was tremendous. Light straw in colour with a gorgeous
nose showing lots of apple, flowers, citrus and softer pineapple/
tropical fruit aromas with plenty of slate and salty mineral notes
underneath. The mouthfeel was stunning - full bodied and expansive
while remaining very vibrant and elegant with lots of acidity and a
little spritz, showing ripe apple, peach and slate flavours. Gorgeous
long finish. I reckon I need to start buying a fair bit more from Diel
now.

1994 Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee
Sadly, corked.

A really enjoyable evening with great company, food, conversation and
wine. Mark, was great catching up last night and hope you can make it
up this way again some time in the near future.

Cheers,

Salil