All Spiced Up

We love it when The Chairman is in town.  There’s quite a bit of history and we talk about old times and times moving forward.  He’s a very knowlegeable man when it comes to wine, but he never makes discussing it too involved.  A simple and thoughtful comment on how he sees it is enough.  There’s nothing to argue about, and you wouldn’t want to in any case.  What’s more, he’s a magnaminous soul, allowing each to have a say and opinion, even if they are wrong.  But he lets you know, sensitively and concisely, often with just a word, if you are on the wrong track.

We took the spicy route with a comparison of two Marlborough Gewurztraminers.  Not the most fashionable grape and from a region better known for other varieties.  But these two are among the best, not only for Marlborough, but for New Zealand.  I adore the 2013 Te Whare Ra Marlborough Gewurztraminer.  It’s all about sheer finesse of richness.  Old vines, 34 y.o. endow the wine with a subtly unctuous and seamless texture and great presence and concentration.  Yet there’s a power that belies its elegance.  SWMBO and I are besotted with this.  But The Chairman could see the alcohol and a touch of heat.  He’s right of course, but the wine still has us under its spell.

The comparison was the 2013 Johanneshof Marlborough Gewurztraminer.  It is equally delicious.  A more opulent and up-front wine, bolder in spicy and exotic expression.  This is the ‘out-there’ style we get knocked-out by.  There’s so many wishy-washy examples out there, and this wine reminds you what Gewurztraminer is all about.  A little more grainy and textured, the phenolics noticeable.  But then the fire and drive a little more harmonious and balanced.  The Chairman preferred this, marginally.  A draw in the end, and two wines to spice up our evening.