With scallops over a fennel slaw with olives and oranges, we had the
2007 Babich Sauvignon Blanc. Very typical, grapefruit and gooseberry
with a little edge of capiscum. Not as long or fragrant as some
vintages, but certainly servicable. B

With a stirfry of turkey, sugar snaps, & peppers (with plum sauce,
ginger, and garlic) over soba, the 2002 JJ Christoffel Erdener
Treppchen Spatlese. Ripe, rich, and ready. Floral note, palate is
quite sweet but loaded with citrus - oranges and a Fresca-like
grapefruit (I like Fresca!). Good acidity, plays well with others (or
with food). 8% abv is a bonus. Just a hint of pertrol coming in. This
isn't very complex or deep, but it is tasty. B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
*

Anders Tørneskog wrote:

I've earlier commented on Christoffel that the property has seen a serious
decline in quality after the takeover by Eymael of Mönchhof. It seems that
they are on the way of returning to form, however.
The period of 2002-2004 was a low point, but 2005 and more so 2006 have been
promising a better future. I'll report on the 2007 vintage when that
appears!

Thanks, Anders. That's good news.

Mark Lipton

--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.hostexcellence.com

"DaleW" skrev i melding
...
....the 2002 JJ Christoffel Erdener
Treppchen Spatlese. Ripe, rich, and ready. Floral note, palate is
quite sweet but loaded with citrus - oranges and a Fresca-like
grapefruit (I like Fresca!). Good acidity, plays well with others (or
with food). 8% abv is a bonus. Just a hint of pertrol coming in. This
isn't very complex or deep, but it is tasty. B+

I've earlier commented on Christoffel that the property has seen a serious
decline in quality after the takeover by Eymael of Mönchhof. It seems that
they are on the way of returning to form, however.
The period of 2002-2004 was a low point, but 2005 and more so 2006 have been
promising a better future. I'll report on the 2007 vintage when that
appears!
:-)
Anders

On May 2, 4:29�pm, "Anders T�rneskog"
wrote:
"DaleW" skrev i ...
...the 2002 JJ Christoffel Erdener
Treppchen Spatlese. Ripe, rich, and ready. Floral note, palate is
quite sweet but loaded with citrus - oranges and a Fresca-like
grapefruit (I like Fresca!). Good acidity, plays well with others (or
with food). 8% abv is a bonus. Just a hint of pertrol coming in. This
isn't very complex or deep, but it is tasty. B+

I've earlier commented on Christoffel that the property has seen a serious
decline in quality after the takeover by Eymael of M�nchhof. �It seems that
they are on the way of returning to form, however.
The period of 2002-2004 was a low point, but 2005 and more so 2006 have been
promising a better future. �I'll report on the 2007 vintage when that
appears!
:-)
Anders

Wait, I thought you said the 2005s were a continuing slide, even worse
than the 2002-2004s?
Personally, I've been happy with the 2002s (where I think Hans Leo was
consulting). Not stellar, but good values (they were cheap grey market
here). 2003s less appealing, but that's true of most producers for me.
Only the '04s struck me as a comparative poor value.

"DaleW" skrev i melding
...
On May 2, 4:29?pm, "Anders T?rneskog"

... but 2005 and more so 2006 have been
promising a better future. ?I'll report on the 2007 vintage when that
appears!
:-)
Anders

Wait, I thought you said the 2005s were a continuing slide, even worse
than the 2002-2004s?

did I?
:-) Anders
And I meant that 2002-2004 were not rated up to usual standards for
Christoffel. Not bad wines but not stellar either!
Another grower with less than satisfying results was Willi Schaefer, but he
really has bounced back! 2004 lousy (merely good, that is), 2005 very good,
2006 outstanding.

On May 3, 5:23�pm, "Anders T�rneskog"
wrote:
"DaleW" skrev i ...
On May 2, 4:29?pm, "Anders T?rneskog"

... but 2005 and more so 2006 have been
promising a better future. ?I'll report on the 2007 vintage when that
appears!
:-)
Anders

Wait, I thought you said the 2005s were a continuing slide, even worse
than the 2002-2004s?

did I?
:-) Anders
And I meant that 2002-2004 were not rated up to usual standards for
Christoffel. �Not bad wines but not stellar either!
Another grower with less than satisfying results was Willi Schaefer, but he
really has bounced back! 2004 lousy (merely good, that is), 2005 very good,
2006 outstanding.

I remember ignoring some '05 Christoffels partially based on your
comments here.
I too wasn't thrilled with Willi Schaefers 2004 pradikat wines,
though I liked the estate QbA (and some 2002 kabinetts). Have couple
2005s and 2006s, but haven't opened yet.

On May 4, 11:04 pm, DaleW wrote:
I remember ignoring some '05 Christoffels partially based on your
comments here.
I too wasn't thrilled with Willi Schaefers 2004 pradikat wines,
though I liked the estate QbA (and some 2002 kabinetts). Have couple
2005s and 2006s, but haven't opened yet.

Have you tried any of Schaefer' 03s? I reckon they just need time, but
have the potential to be superb, particularly his Graacher Domprobst
Spatlesen.

"DaleW" skrev i melding
...

Wait, I thought you said the 2005s were a continuing slide, even worse
than the 2002-2004s?

Hi Dale,
looking into my sources I find that 2005s received comparatively low ratings
(the Uerziger Wuerzgarten Auslese was quite good, however, but, imho, with
relatively poor QPR).
2005 was not worse than the previous years, but not much of an improvement,
either. I feel that my advice had some merit, but as you may well know: De
gustibus non est disputandum!
2006 on the other hand is probably well worth looking for - especially the
ordinary Kabinett and the *** Auslese, both from the Wuergarten, I've
understood.
Anders