Tall Order

Through the year, Mobsta and Kobsta have shown us much kindness. It's a tall order when you think that such kindnesses are difficult to repay, so we loaded up the wine bag to put some interesting drinks for an evening together. Over the night, some tall stories were the order of the evening. Our wines were only partly used, as our hosts had bottles lined up as well.

A special bottle had been kept for this occasion, a 1996 Deutz Blanc de Blancs Champers. A gift to Mobsta and Kobsta on their wedding. This was magnificent in its depth and developed complex autolysis. As Blanc de blancs do, this retained an elegance that kept it light on its feet. And yes, the 1996s are developing well. They don't seem to be immortal as initially thought.

Then a gorgeous 2005 Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett. This site can produce some lean, stony wines, but the wines come together, given a chance. Honey richness, toast and limes. Succulent and round juicy textures. The sweetness finishing it off superbly.

Mobsta and Kobsta tied the knot with Vouvray, so it was appropriate to have a 2005 Champalou Vouvray 'Les Fondraux', which turned out to be an extention of the Mosel wine in style. It was drier, and weighter, but essentially a sleek, sweetish goddess. Not austere, flinty and riddled with sulphide, but a wine of cleanliness and purity.

By then I was fading. SWMBO has the uncanny ability to be the last to leave a party, but she was sympathetic. We tucked into a 2006 Brown Brothers 'Patricia' Noble Riesling to go with a sweet strawberry dessert. This is a pretty drop. Complete, yet young. It has a feel of quality, and now having sampled this a few times reckon its a keeper. Loads of botrytis, yet with elegance and style.

We headed off, leaving a red or two behind, in a gesture of repaying kindnesses, which we still have not done properly. It seems a tall order to repay, but we'll do it with pleasure sometime in the future.