Betsy made a so-called "Chinese chicken salad" (poached breast over
red cabbage and soba with a peanut butter/ginger/garlic sauce- not
authentic, but tasty). I went to cellar looking for a leaner MSR
kabinett, somehow came upstairs with the 2005 August Kesseler
Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg Spatlese (Rheingau). OK, I know - '05,
Rheingau, Spatlese - a formula for heavier style. But a review on
store site I looked up when I was given bottle (thanks John Dawson!)
had called it lean for vintage. Review was wrong. This is a big
Riesling. Spiced peaches, some apricot, lime. Acidity keeps it from
being overbearing, but plenty of sweetness here. There's a little
vanilla/white chocolate note for a second that makes me wonder could
this actually see oak, but it fades away quickly. A very tasty wine,
though too big for this dish. If I had more I'd let sleep 5+ years,
and then serve with truly spicy food.B+
A couple notes re identification. When I was given this, I looked on
CT. They didn't list this vintage of the regular RBS Spatlese, only
the Goldkap. Well, this has an off-gold capsule (a little orangey),
but I think it's the regular. I'd call it batch #7, as AP ends with
007 06 (I thought about just listing full AP and titling note "James
Bond Riesling", but figured Bueker was probably only one who pay
enough attention to get it).
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.
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