A Bit of a Lift

After a big day of tasting and thinking, white, light and lifted is the way to go.  Such was the situation, and with a meal at the local Asian Eatery, it was apt that SWMBO and I had two European white that fit the bill.

A 2008 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett turned out to seem sweeter than the last time I tried it.  No matter, a wonderfully concentrated affair with great fruit extract to match the richness.  And also, now developing a hint of the subtle toasty complexities that lift the wine out of the ordinary.  Perfect acidity, and clearly more weight, and definitely not that Mosel clarity, and more tension than a Rheingau.  That’s what make the Nahe wines sit right in the middle.

The next was a 2006 Weinbach ‘Cuvee Theo’ Alsace Gewurztraminer.  I tried it a number of years ago, and while thoroughly competent and ticking all the boxes then, it was definitely a little ungainly and showing some phenolic texture.  But doesn’t Gewurztraminer do that anyway?  Drinking it now, it is still a robust one, but now with earthy secondary interest intermingling with honey and hair-oil.  I think I liked it.  Maybe this could have done with a little more floral lift?