On Mar 17, 9:07�am, DaleW > wrote:
> Betsy visited a friend's new home on the way home from matinee, by
> time she arrived at our house I had the appetizer ready, some shrimp
> cocktail. With was the �2002 Carl Loewen "Leiwener Klostergarten"
> Riesling Kabinett I had opened previous night. Light and ready Mosel,
> flavors of lime and quince jam, with a little gingery edge. On the
> sweeter side of Kabinett, but not at all heavy. Not a producer who
> seems to get much buzz, but I've been pleased with the ones I've
> tried. B+
>
> I then grilled some thick porterhouses (one would have been plenty,
> but I like my meat "bleu" while Bets is medium-rare, and as she said
> "there's nothing wrong with steak sandwiches for lunch"), with baked
> potatoes, asparagus, and green salad. Served a 375 of the 2003 Ch.
> Gruaud-Larose (St. Julien). Started off a bit dumb, opened up, but
> never excited me. More tannins than fruit, fairly big dose of vanillin
> oak. Sweet cassis fruit eventually emerges, but this strikes me as
> rather one-dimensional. Nothing flawed, though finish seems a tad
> short for a 2nd from a big vintage. Maybe this is just closed, but I'm
> not sensing a lot underneath, and will pass on buying more. 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.

Yikes! I bought a case of the 2003 Gruaud Larose on release. I guess
I should buy a bottle and taste it and try to sell the whole case if I
don't see any future. Thanks for the notes!

Bill
Visit Billburg-http://billburg.myminicity.com