Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Report from ... Hanna & Sons presents: Wines of Daniel Wollenweider – November 19, 2009

Another trip to the Fine Wine Reserve and another wine tasting. The Fine Wine Reserve seems to be the favoured spot of wine agents these days – there’s an intimacy and exclusivity to the place. As for Daniel Wollenweider, all I learned about him is that he is making some damn fine Rieslings in the Mosel (Germany). 12 of these wines were poured for us today in a range of styles, from a Dry Kabinett to a super sweet Trockenbeerenauslese and everything in-between; even the years poured had a range, 2002-2008 … all were very good, but of course I had my favourites (as did everyone in attendance):

My Top 3 Selections …

2008 Riesling Spatlese ($36.80) – this wine had a pure mineral sensation mixed with delicious apple on the nose; the palate showed a steady seam of acidity with bosc pear fruit and peach pit nuances; spectacular and delicious. (****½) … I also tried the 2002 Spatlese, the peach and mineral were intact with hints of petrol, quite lovely, you can see how this wine (2008) might age and what it has the potential to turn into.

2005 Riesling Auslese ($53.95) – another stellar wine that’s aging quite nicely. You can smell and taste the development of the apricot and peach with honey notes; there’s a touch of dried fruit on the tongue mixing with a sweet stony mineral sensation.

2008 Riesling ($24.05) – this wine is crisp and lemony with the three “P’s”: peach, pear and petrol (just a touch); great acidity, beautiful seam of minerality and a long persistent ready-for-more finish.

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