Weights & Measures

Drinking with wine friends is great..one..it's nice to share and chat about wine..and..two...there is never difficulty with the amount....usually there is one person who manages the glassful left in the bottle. Drinking alone (sounds bad when you say that!)...means to me, on average, about 0.5 litres....two-thirds of a bottle if you are bad at maths. I could drink a whole bottle of a soft wine...but usually a large glassful remains..and with heavier wines...a half-bottle to be consumed the next evening. This has it's downfalls..if the air it got leaves you saying next day..'if only I could drink more'. The plus is..it may have developed more. Swings and Roundabouts. Half bottles are fine in this situation.....but I never buy them...because...0.375 is too little. You get my gist. My wife used to help with whites..but she can't drink red wine. The wine of the previous post was still excellent next day...plus point!
The 6 pack from Spain contained a half of the vintage 2004...no full bottle available..and I thought it will have developed a little more in the demi-bouteille.
Descendientes de J. Palacios
Villa de Corullón 2004
Bierzo, Spain
It spends 12 months in Barrique..and the fruit reminds you of black cherries..and a gentle after-whiff of vanilla. Complex on the palate..and although plenty of power..there is an elegance..crunchy tannins..this is why I started drinking Spanish Wines again a few years ago. A touch of 'port' ..like tar maybe...and a long constant finish.
Points 17.5...drink now if you like the style..but a few years in bottle..and you have a little goodie.

Hollywood - Universal Studios

Die Universal Studios in Hollywood lagern tausende Requisiten aller jemals im Studio gedrehten Filme. E.T., der De Lorean aus Back To The Future, der Ferrari Magnums, sowie der Dodge Charger aus The Fast & The Furious sind nur ein kleiner Teil dessen, was den Besucher erwartet.

Toothless But Happy

Check out the flowers in this photo compared to the last post..they are drooping...and it was not the only thing that was drooping over the last few days. Now, now...let's keep the comments clean!
I am talking about my general mood...the gums were hurting..no doubt down to the tooth embedded in them. Tuesday afternoon after a cup of tea and the recurring pain after drinking and eating..I called the dentist and went straight over. To cut a long story short..OUCH! A decision was made to do the necessary..and the tooth was pulled. The one positive was.. it was done without an appointment...get it over with. I 'lost' my first tooth when I was 14....the second..was this one..with 62!
Not a bad record...it was at the back..maybe starved of wine....
So..Wednesday evening....I could eat and drink with pleasure again...so that nice German girl...SB ( no..not Sexy Beast...)......was on the cards.
Ask any lover of the stuff (me)..and mention the Ahr...and he'll run off a list of the top vineyards. Meyer-Näkel, Stodden, Adeneuer..and a few more. So..it is nice to 'discover' a new one.
The Vineyard of Alice and her son Christoph Sebastian...is 'overlooked' by Gernot Kollmann...once of Van Volxem...now with Knebel in Winningen. The Sebastians own some fine plots in Heimersheim and Ahrweiler. Kollmann uses only used-oak barrels ad the wines are not filtered.
Jakob Sebastian Spätburgunder Ahrweiler Daubhaus Alte Reben
Auslese trocken 2006
Ahr, Germany
Warm slopes on Löß stone...Old vines..which often adds that little extra..I tend to buy most wines when I see that. Also..2006 was better in the Ahr than most other areas for reds.
Medium colour...this has a soft tannic structure..Burgundian in style..firm but giving...creamy, soft flavour...but no softie...drink now..but will age another 5 years..this would also taste well cool with a 'Barbie' (not her..the grill one)...an all-rounder and a crowd pleaser..I like the gentle grip at the end....it says..like me....I am your way back from the pain...SB saves me ..yet again.
Points 17.25 and at € 18..well-priced..proving yet again the value of these mid-priced German wines.

Early Square - Newport Beach

greetings to Isrrael!

thanks for talking session at the beach,
always luck with the car!

Family Classic Cars

Family Classic Cars bietet eine reichhaltige Sammlung seltener und hochwertiger Fahrzeuge. Man sollte jedoch mit gut gefüllter Geldbörse aufkreuzen, da die Preise meist über 100ooo$ liegen und nicht selten die 1000000$ Marke überschreiten. Der gelbe Ferrari Dino 275 GT, für jene mit Interesse, kostet 1900000$. Zu finden ist das Ganze in 33033 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Family Classic Cars - San Juan Capistrano

www.familyclassiccars.com

Jamek Jamek & Jamek

The Wachau lies on the Donau river...bet you're glad you know that now.
Drag out a post with information...
The base for this Vineyard started in 1910 with Anton Jamek. In this winery...tradition and modern technology is strongly connected. His son Josef Jamek started in the early 1950s to produce his white wines dry and natural, a real courageous decision in those days. The sites have some of the best single vineyards in the Wachau, like “Ried Klaus”, “Achleiten” or “Hochrain”. The wines have an incomparable mineral aroma due to the primary rock stone terraces. The main grape varieties are Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, but also Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. In 1996 the business was taken over by his son-in law and daughter, Hans & Jutta Altmann. The harvest is 100% hand-picked...
I'm telling you all above..cos I found nothing in English on the net....
Oh yes..and did you know..'Felderspiel' is a sign for wines with Kabinett quality..with maximal 12.5 % alcohol.
What wine?...oh yes..the wine I drank..with white Asparagus tips (yes..I know..it is October..my wife won't tell me where they came from)
Jamek Grüner Veltliner Federspiel
Stein am Rhein 2007
Wachau, Austria
Light, elegant style...strong aroma of pears..sprightly acidity bounces over a green apple flavour...plenty of minerals here..the whole package is dry..well-made wine....but I just prefered the Emmerich Knoll.
Points 16.25
PS..gotta mention the flowers...finding new backgrounds for photos gets more difficult...but this recent purchase was perfect

Newport, O.C. - Highboy

Austrian Chablis

This 6 bottle-case of Austrian wines is looking good...down to general good wines in Austria..or my choices??..let's say 50-50...hey...let me praise myself...

















Velich Darsch Chardonnay 2006
Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria
Yellow-green colour...Chablis-like...ripe apples and a trace of orange jam..roasted nuts and almons...no danger of oak dominating..this is well-balanced with minerals to the fore..flinty..again..Chablis-like...lovely, soft creamy finish..and only a touch of sweet oak remains on the lips.This should disappear with a year in bottle.
Points 17

Newport Beach - Sunset

Die Sonnenuntergänge der kalifornischen Küste sind atemberaubend und ziehen einen allabendlich in ihren Bann.

Old Style

Bravo Baron

Whenever I have tried a Pinot Noir from Austria..it seemed to strive towards power rather than elegance. Each to his own...but how was this one gonna be?
The estate is located in the commune of Halbturn in the Neusiedlersee wine-growing region in Burgenland in Austria. It has a long tradition, its history goes back to the early 14th century. It is owned today by Baron Paul Waldbott-Bassenheim. The current general manager, Markus Graf zu Königsegg, has begun to implement a comprehensive restructuring of the wine estate. The person in charge of this is Karl-Heinz „Carlo“ Wolf. The first step was taken in early 2001, when the historical terraces on the Joiser Jungenberg site were uprooted to a large extent (two thirds), and replanted. The cellar, too, was rebuilt, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Oenologists from Burgundy were engaged to assist in the project. The vineyard area totals 48 hectares, located in the communes of Halbturn (the largest contiguous vineyard in Austria, 40 hectares in extent, is located in the regional site Wittmannshof) and Jois. 90% of the area is planted with the red varieties Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir, the remaining 10% is planted with the white varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. In addition, a wine estate with 17 hectares of vineyards has been leased in the commune of Kleinhöflein. Two ranges of wines are produced. White, red and sweet wines from the best vineyard sites of the estate are marketed under the label „Schloss Halbturn“.
Schloss Halbturn Pinot Noir 2005
Burgenland, Austria
Answer at once..gooooood!! Ruby red colour..delicate fruit on the nose...woodland berries and some nuts and almonds...very harmonious...slightly toasty..soft tannins..and elegant style...and...............juices to die for...really mouth-wateringly good...this is a joy to enjoy.
50% new oak barrels are used.
Bravo
Points 17.75

Thanks To All Visitors!

Grüner Veltliner

The 6-packs from a previous post included one with Austrian Wines. The main reason I started the package was to try some of Austria's Grüner Veltliner. Not sure if Joe included it in his obscure grape tastings..if not..I will accommodate here. After all the Rieslings over the summer..I craved for an alternative.
Emmerich Knoll Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Kreutles 2007 Wachau, Austria
Don't you just love the old style label...... GV's always have a touch of smoke..and here it is very evident..very attractive...yellow apple smell..a 'warm' spiciness with reserved acidity.. 12.5 Alcohol...this is full without being 'full'..and dry without being 'dry'..if you see what I mean. Do I detect a taste of bananas or am I going bananas? Plenty of character and a thoroughly enjoyable bottle...what appealed to me personally..was the unobtrusive acidity. I tried the rest next day with a medium horseradish sauce..it held up very well.
Points 16.5

West Coast Choppers - Long Beach L.A.

In der Anaheim Street, Long Beach L.A. befindet sich die West Coast Choppers Schmiede. Leider hat man als Besucher keinen Einblick in die heiligen Hallen, in welchen Jesse James seine weltbekannten Motorräder entstehen läßt. Lediglich ein kleiner Verkaufsraum, sowie eine überschaubare Anzahl handgefertigter Exponate bereichern hier den Blick des Besuchers.

Jesse James - Cisco Burger

Direkt neben dem berühmten Gelände von West Coast Choppers befindet sich das nach Jesse James' Pit Bull benannte Cisco Diner. Ein Muss, wenn man gerade in der Gegend ist. Gelegentlich soll man hier zur Mittagszeit den Meister persönlich antreffen.

356 - Santa Barbara

Barry's Six Pack

Mention a 6-pack to any guy under 30 and he will think of his stomach muscles...which if you are fit..look like 6-pack of beer cans. My 6-packs are of the bottle size...not my stomach...that is still flat...but my wine orders. I love ordering a selection of individual bottles to be tried and tasted.
Three such are on their way.....no way back..if they are bad..down to me. Maybe someone has already tried one.
Spain
Emilio Rojo Blanco 2005 Ribeiro
Chivite 125 Aniversario Chardonnay 2005 Navarra
Pétalos del Bierzo 2006 Bierzo
Corullón 2004 ½ bottle Bierzo
Mauro 2005 Ribera del Duero
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 1995 Rioja

Austria
Umathum St.Laurent vom Stein 2001 Neusiedlersee
Umathum St.Laurent vom Stein 2002 Neusiedlersee
Schloss Halbturn Pinot Noir 2005 Neusiedlersee
Velich Darsch Chardonnay 2006 Neusiedlersee
Jamek Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Stein am Rhein 2007 Wachau
Knoll Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Kreutles 2007 Wachau

Germany
Jakob Sebastian Heimersheimer Berg Spätburgunder 2006 Ahr
Jakob Sebastian Ahrweiler Daubhaus Spätburgunder Spätlese 2006 Ahr
Jakob Sebastian Heimersheimer Berg Alte Reben Spätburgunder Spätlese 2006 Ahr
Zehnthof Luckert Maustal Spätburgunder trocken 2007 Franken
Zehnthof Luckert Spätburgunder *** Auslese trocken 2004 Franken
Jakob Kühn 'PurPur' Spätburgunder 2004 Rheingau

Mozart & I

Another 'hobby' of mine is...my DJ-ing at a radio station. On Sunday 19th October I did my 250th show..covering 10 years. Certainly the oldest show in Germany for soul music. Nobody is allowed in the studio when I do the show...the blinds are down..a small light is on..the headset in place..and away I go..my own little world. I have listeners all over the world..from Sydney to Los Angeles. The newspapers ran an article about little 'ol me...Playlist and links to 'German' reports HERE
What's it got to do with wine?...well...250 is a hell of a lot..and the studio gave me a bottle of wine...nice.... A special bottling I was told..and 'biologique'
Marie-Paule Roux Mozart 2005
Corbieres, France
Hopefully a soulful bottle of wine and....before any comments arrive...there is no resemblance....

The Right Brew

A cellar quite full...even though the days of mass buying have been curtailed...and I sometimes stand there and search...too young, too old, had that recently..blah blah blah...
What do I do...get in the car and take the short drive to my local wine merchant. A 10 minute chat about fruit bombs and Parker points..then Robert recommends a Spanish wine...a Parker favourite..OUCH....but..he assures me it has balance..we will see.
To be fair to Mr Parker..I used to use his points to buy Rhône wines.....but some of the New World ratings are a mystery to me...me being a gentle soul who wants more than a fruit cake..I need a touch of cream..a light sauce...character..you catch my drift amigos?
Castell del Remei Gotim Bru 2005
Costers del Segre, Spain
The new style Spanish wines I have been a fan of since before they became famous....the grainy tannins attracted me..and so it is here. Cherry fruit up front...liquorice sticks ( a childhood memory)...soft..grainy tannins (just in case you missed the initial comment)...very well-balanced. High portion of Tempranillo..with some Cabernet, Merlot & Garnacha...this could have meant a jammy wine...but this is well made and has fine structure..good acidity..spicy finish.
Bottom of the range in price...I read somewhere that one critic said this was more Australian than Spanish...not true in my mind....
Points 16.5..and excellent value

West Coast - Ventura