A Breath of Fresh Air

Getting out and about and into a normal routine has been very beneficial. A good dose of work and some time to smell the roses can be so invigorating and has promoted progress. So when Blewy and Abe, two of the three Calverteers were in town, a number of good bottles were opened.
At the local Chinese eatery, a 2007 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett was classical Mosel and typical Brauneberg with its hint of blackcurrants. A touch of reduction that will be swallowed up in time, but a wine with potential to come together well, not necessarily in a grand way. We also paired a 2007 Cristom Mt Jefferson Pinot Noir from Oregon with a 2007 Drouhin Beaune 'Clos des Mouches. Difficult year for both regions. The Cristom flat and hard, trying to be plump, but missing the mark, and ending up a dull drink. But the rather light Drouhin turned out to be a delight. Fresh, lively, a little light and acidic, but really appealing. Both wines indicated from the start what their personalities were, and air time substantiated the first impressions.
Back home for after dinner drinks. The big guns came out. A 2003 Rousseau Chambertin. Big, broad and complex, with rounded edges, and developing greater richness with breathing. Quite magnificent. These 2003s from the hot, dry year are a bit of an enigma. They looked really sweet and fresh a couple of years ago. But now, this was getting soft, developed, and secondary. Following was a 2001 Drouhin Musigny. A bit sharp and acidic at first, straight from the inside cellar. Breathing brought it all out. Not so much ethereal and perfumed, but fine and elegant, developing great concentrated richness, and now with secondary forest floor notes appearing. Truly a great bottle that opened up with air. Finishing with the German Riesling theme, a 2001 Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese Goldcap. Classic year. Fruit drying a touch. Getting those custard and cream secondary notes. Botrytis there. Richness too, but in a ugly in-between stage. SWMBO, Blewy and Abe happier than me on it.
Maybe it was time to get a breath of fresh air....