Betsy left for California Monday morning, that evening I cowered in the
air conditioning and sipped the 2005 Leitz Dragonstone QbA. Others seem
to be less enthused re this vintage, but once again, this is emerging
as a favorite value for me - peachy sweetness balanced by clear acids,
green apple and white peach fruit overlaid with herbs and a little
mineral. Nice little wine that could pass for a decent Spätlese. B+

The following night, I took some kids from upstate on a Midnight Run
before dropping them at the church in the city where they were staying.
As I headed up the West Side Highway, a southbound Jeep came flying
(literally) over the median and smashed into the back of the Excursion
I was driving. I spun either 900° or 1260°. Miraculously, I wasn't
really hurt (folks in other car were, but not as bad as it could have
been). The real miracle was those kids weren't in the Excursion at
time. When I eventually made it home , for once I thought I actually
NEEDED a drink. So now the Dragonstone seemed more complex, with rich
mineral notes and serious depth. It might have been the time open that
improved it further, but my guess it was my mood! As a post major
accident quaff, the Dragonstone gets a solid A.

Last night the heat had broken and it was a lovely night for a picnic
at the jazz concert in the Dobbs Ferry park. A nice group of friends
and friends of friends,; I brought paté and cheeses, others brought
gaucomole, sausages, fruit, and assorted salads. Lucy the Basset had a
good time with a marrow bone and her dachshund friend Burger- they both
tolerated endless little kids wanting to pet them. Various wines were
circulating, including:

2004 Hiedler "Löss" Grüner Veltliner
Lovely light-bodied GV. Lemon and apple fruit sprinkled with white
pepper, a bit of chalky mineral on the finish. Excellent value at about
$12, looking forward to the 2005. B+

2004 Passavant Rosé de Loire
I love rosé in the summer. But not all rosé. I like light, but not
dilute. I like red fruit, but not canned cherries. I like a clean
finish, not a short empty one. This I do not like. C

Fun night with friends.

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.

DaleW wrote:
> Betsy left for California Monday morning, that evening I cowered in the
> air conditioning and sipped the 2005 Leitz Dragonstone QbA. Others seem
> to be less enthused re this vintage, but once again, this is emerging
> as a favorite value for me - peachy sweetness balanced by clear acids,
> green apple and white peach fruit overlaid with herbs and a little
> mineral. Nice little wine that could pass for a decent Spätlese. B+

Good to hear about the '05. As you know, I've been enjoying some '04
QbAs recently, having managed to get Jean past her aversion to Rieslings
after 15 years :-) [Now, if only I can get her to appreciate aged white
wines...] I recently picked up the '04 and '05 "Dr. L" (despite David
Bueker's dismissal) and will duly report on them as opportunity presents
itself.

>
> The following night, I took some kids from upstate on a Midnight Run
> before dropping them at the church in the city where they were staying.
> As I headed up the West Side Highway, a southbound Jeep came flying
> (literally) over the median and smashed into the back of the Excursion
> I was driving. I spun either 900° or 1260°. Miraculously, I wasn't
> really hurt (folks in other car were, but not as bad as it could have
> been). The real miracle was those kids weren't in the Excursion at
> time. When I eventually made it home , for once I thought I actually
> NEEDED a drink. So now the Dragonstone seemed more complex, with rich
> mineral notes and serious depth. It might have been the time open that
> improved it further, but my guess it was my mood! As a post major
> accident quaff, the Dragonstone gets a solid A.

Wow! What a story. I *hate* the Westside Highway (though not as much as
the CBE) and that is one scary experience. A similar thing happened to
two close friends of ours in Philadelphia many years ago, except the
airborne vehicle hit the /front/ of their car, with far worse
consequences, though fortunately non-fatal ones.

My recent experience with context: last night, after three hours of
weeding* the back yard in sweltering conditions, I washed the sweat off
myself and poured myself the last glass of a Dr. Thanisch '04 Riesling
QbA: alas, still not too exciting, but fine as a thirst quencher along
with 2 L of cold water.

> 2004 Hiedler "Löss" Grüner Veltliner
> Lovely light-bodied GV. Lemon and apple fruit sprinkled with white
> pepper, a bit of chalky mineral on the finish. Excellent value at about
> $12, looking forward to the 2005. B+

Any idea how '05 was in Austria? I'm still acquiring '04s myself. I
think that I own this wine, matter of fact.

Mark Lipton

* If digging 20' of bamboo runners out of the ground can be termed
weeding rather than excavation. For the first time in my life, I broke a
spade (the metal part) trying to lever some bamboo culms out of the ground.

DaleW wrote:

> The following night, I took some kids from upstate on a Midnight Run
> before dropping them at the church in the city where they were
> staying. As I headed up the West Side Highway, a southbound Jeep came
> flying (literally) over the median and smashed into the back of the
> Excursion I was driving. I spun either 900° or 1260°. Miraculously, I
> wasn't really hurt (folks in other car were, but not as bad as it
> could have been).


Wow! Glad to hear you're OK.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

On 20 Jul 2006 10:49:05 -0700, "DaleW" > wrote:

>The following night, I took some kids from upstate on a Midnight Run
>before dropping them at the church in the city where they were staying.
>As I headed up the West Side Highway, a southbound Jeep came flying
>(literally) over the median and smashed into the back of the Excursion
>I was driving. I spun either 900° or 1260°. Miraculously, I wasn't
>really hurt (folks in other car were, but not as bad as it could have
>been). The real miracle was those kids weren't in the Excursion at
>time. When I eventually made it home , for once I thought I actually
>NEEDED a drink. So now the Dragonstone seemed more complex, with rich
>mineral notes and serious depth. It might have been the time open that
>improved it further, but my guess it was my mood! As a post major
>accident quaff, the Dragonstone gets a solid A.

So, I guess you're not in the market for a down-sized, eco-friendly
smaller car? There's some advantage to bulk!

Since moving to small town USA, I've gotten increasingly averse to
visits to the big city. Took a trip for five days last week to San
Antonio--IH-35 took me through Ft. Worth, Waco (bigger than I
recalled!), Austin and finally SA. Drivers all insane, congestion
ubiquitous, tension unrelenting.

Return trip went via smaller roads through the beautiful Texas Hill
Country. Much more pleasant and relaxing.

Will report on wining and dining in a separate note.



Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com

Mark Lipton > wrote:

> Any idea how '05 was in Austria?

After having tasted 1,790 Austrian wines in the last four weeks -
among these 1,170 from the vintage 2005 -, I can assure you that
I'd rate 2005 at least as good as 2004. It was a difficult year
(as was 2004), but in the top ranks the wines are even better than
in 2005, with a vibrant, singing fruit that makes the top wines
utterly stunning.

M.

In article >,
Ed Rasimus > wrote:

> On 20 Jul 2006 10:49:05 -0700, "DaleW" > wrote:
>
> >The following night, I took some kids from upstate on a Midnight Run
> >before dropping them at the church in the city where they were staying.
> >As I headed up the West Side Highway, a southbound Jeep came flying
> >(literally) over the median and smashed into the back of the Excursion
> >I was driving. I spun either 900° or 1260°. Miraculously, I wasn't
> >really hurt (folks in other car were, but not as bad as it could have
> >been). The real miracle was those kids weren't in the Excursion at
> >time. When I eventually made it home , for once I thought I actually
> >NEEDED a drink. So now the Dragonstone seemed more complex, with rich
> >mineral notes and serious depth. It might have been the time open that
> >improved it further, but my guess it was my mood! As a post major
> >accident quaff, the Dragonstone gets a solid A.
>
> So, I guess you're not in the market for a down-sized, eco-friendly
> smaller car? There's some advantage to bulk!
>
> Since moving to small town USA, I've gotten increasingly averse to
> visits to the big city. Took a trip for five days last week to San
> Antonio--IH-35 took me through Ft. Worth, Waco (bigger than I
> recalled!), Austin and finally SA. Drivers all insane, congestion
> ubiquitous, tension unrelenting.
>
> Return trip went via smaller roads through the beautiful Texas Hill
> Country. Much more pleasant and relaxing.
>
> Will report on wining and dining in a separate note.
>
>
>
> Ed Rasimus
> Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
> "When Thunder Rolled"
> www.thunderchief.org
> www.thundertales.blogspot.com

Any interesting restaurants in Austin despite the horrendous traffic?

Its great that you're ok. These things are scary---BTW what kind of score
did the Romanian judge give you.?



"Ken Blake" > wrote in message
...
> DaleW wrote:
>
> > The following night, I took some kids from upstate on a Midnight Run
> > before dropping them at the church in the city where they were
> > staying. As I headed up the West Side Highway, a southbound Jeep came
> > flying (literally) over the median and smashed into the back of the
> > Excursion I was driving. I spun either 900° or 1260°. Miraculously, I
> > wasn't really hurt (folks in other car were, but not as bad as it
> > could have been).
>
>
> Wow! Glad to hear you're OK.
>
> --
> Ken Blake
> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>

Mark,
But the CBE goes so slow there's no danger.
Good QbAs are one of the great values of the world, though certainly
there are more mediocre than good ones. But like with Bourgogne AC, if
you stick to good producers.
Michael answered the Austria question with more knowledge than I!