2015 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese A.P. #7

7.5% abv

Few wines can be perceived as complete and stand on their own, with or without food. Great Mosel Riesling is one of those wines.

Enjoyed over the course of the evening. Wish we had some left over for day two.

Tropical nose reveals itself gradually. Superbly  balanced mango-pineapple palate exhibiting edginess in its youth. Overall, a joy to drink with quite a bit of complexity. 

Really took off after a few hours. Letting it warm up in the glass a tad revealed that wonderful hint of feinherb that I associate with this cuvee. Nice saline minerality on the finish.

A contemplative wine that exudes power without weight, and rivets attention. 

Oliver Haag excels in his interpretation of this very steep south-facing vineyard from the heart of the Brauneberg.

Highly recommended. 

Interview with Oliver Haag:

https://vimeo.com/328662135

2013 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino

14% abv

Decanted to breathe for a couple of hours, which worked well. Minimal sediment. 

A Burgundy-lovers Brunello that develops fascinatingly in the glass and rivets your attention. Quite approachable now, but likely improving with several years of cellaring. 

Somewhat muted florals on the nose, but exhibits highly savory hints of clove and spice. 

Elegant red cherry and balasmic palate, imbued with substantial freshness and tension. Fine dusty tannins with subtle chalkiness on the framework that hints of limestone-influenced terroir. 

Vineyards are located in the northern portion of the region and benefit from slightly cooler temperature and higher elevation.

Alessandro Mori is one of my favorite producers in the region, making consistently excellent wines.

Paired with fresh ravioli with spicy meat filling, topped with sea salt, tellicherry pepper, olive oil and grated Asiago.

2015 Luneau-Papin Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Excelsior Clos Noelles

There are times when great Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne varietal) from the Loire Valley can rival 1er Cru Chablis. This 2015 Luneau-Papin Excelsior is one of those wines...

Irresistible nose of flowers and seabreeze that opened up wonderfully. Upfront lemon palate with savory mussel infused salinity. Fairly viscous body, with a clean, complex finish. 

David Lillie provides background:
"...made only in exceptional vintages. The massale-selection vines were planted in 1936 on a terroir of "micaschistes a deux micas," (lieu-dit "La Plecisiere") exposed full south. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a slow wild yeast fermentation with 36 months of aging on the lees...."

Paired with lobster tails and shrimp, drizzled with olive oil and lemon, and grilled over applewood coals.