 Goat kebabs, romantic closures, 06 Monchhof Kabinett
Had a very nice dinner last night with some turmeric-roasted
cauliflower, jasmine rice cooked with mixed vegetables and some
moderately spiced minced goat kebabs. Good wine would have made things
better, so I grabbed a bottle of 1995 Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf
du Pape and let the corkscrew rip.
Beautiful clear ruby colour turning orange-brown at the rim.
Interesting nose at first. Red fruits, earth, something else... ah
yes, TCA. Wet newspapers and cardboard. Just enough of it to
completely ruin what otherwise might have been a lovely wine.
Everything else about it seemed nice - good fruit still showing
underneath the stink, and a lovely silky texture in the mouth. The
only bottle, too. Infuriating.
After deciding not to let the romantic closure ruin the evening, I
went in the opposite direction. Pulled out a 2006 Monchoff Urziger
Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett (as the first inexpensive bottle with a
screwcap that I thought might go well with the food) and twisted it
open. No TCA - my record of no corked wines under screwcap remains
intact!
Very nice on the nose with the spicy character I often get from this
vineyard, plus a load of peach, apple and slate. As I'd expect given
the vintage, this is very ripe, sweet and rich on the palate with lots
of sweet peach, nectarine and apple fruit and some mineral notes
underneath. Bright acidity gives this plenty of energy and balance,
and it finishes clean with medium length. Very tasty and a good match
with the food, matching the light spice of the goat kebabs and
vegetables very well. | 
