Nice dinner with wine on the weekend.

Albert Mann - Cremant d'Alsace (nv) - probably a blend of pinto
gris and Riesling. The Riesling only shows in the finish, not in the
nose. Very pleasant. Served with puff pastry canapés.

2000 Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Clos Windsbuhl - I am pretty familiar
with the 1998 having tasted that vintage several times, but this wine
showed none of the peach/apricot in the nose, although the colour was
similarly deepening. Rich and full in the mouth, with clean acidity, I
think this wine has peaked. Very nice with foie gras terrine with onion
jam.

1998 Paul Blanck Riesling Schlossberg - a really classic oily nose,
and the bright up front acidity worked with the cream of watercress
soup. More youthful than the previous wine.

1999 Dom. Rapet Pere et Fils Corton Pougets Grand Cru - I was not
familiar with this producer. An excellent sweet black cherry nose
without any Burgundian funkiness. Light tannins apparent at the
beginning, good concentration and balance. Long finish - very
pleasant wine. With wild mushrooms on sautéed pollenta.

1988 Sassicaia - quite dark colour, going clear at the rim. The nose a
tad reticent, the wine well structured and long if just a bit on the
lean side, with more acidity. Seemed youthful.


1990 Castello di Rampolla Sammarco - a cab/sangiovese blend, this
wine had a lovely nose of vanilla and dark fruit. It was showing some
orange at the rim, and was lower in acid, smooth and tasty, quite full
in the middle, and finished sweeter, but I think that the Sassicaia
will live longer. No rush on this one, mind you - it should cruise
along for another 5 years or so. On this night it was the favourite.
served with stuffed breast of veal with soubise and carrots.

1997 Albert Mann Gewurztraminer Furstentum Selection des Grains Nobles
- this late harvest wine was delightful with a remarkable nose of
orange peel and roses. Only medium sweet and balanced with a complex
long finish. Served with bleu des basques.