Christmas Day 2013

Christmas day at my place...Ges was a late shoe in.

necessity is the mother of invention and 1/2 kilo of cherries that were on their last legs got blitzed into this sour soup from Hungary. Very nice and the Bernkastler sat with it beautifully. Wines like this make me appreciate why everyone wets themselves with enthusiasm about Riesling.

• 2005 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben-Thanisch) Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Medium plus intensity aromas of kumquat, ripe orchard fruit, cream, honey, slight wet stone/struck match and very slight under tone of kerosene on the nose. In the mouth the wine is off dry but complimented by juicy acidity and flavours of ripe apple, pear and touches of stone fruit. Slight creaminess of texture and rich, long finish. Lovely.

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A very mild flavoured fish pie went well with the lightweight Chardonnay. All very subtle and complimentary.

• 2004 Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ-Canet

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

  Aromas of toast, biscuit, slight lemon and stone fruit, cream, butter and honey. In the mouth there are medium minus intensity flavours of peach, toast, cream and butter with slight toasted hazelnut that lend a touch of bitterness on the medium plus length. Subtle, nice.

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Lamb and Bordeaux. Just about perfect match.

• 1999 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Initially aromas of funky farmyards, leather, bramble, savoury blackcurrant - quite autumnal in fact...over time the fruit ripened and was joined by cedar and pencil shavings. In the mouth the wine has flavours of sour blackcurrant, leather, mushrooms, cedar and, again with time, cassis. It's juicy with some slightly course tannic grip. Nice but surprisingly rustic...none the worse for that though.

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Finished up the wine, ably assisted by a half bottle of 98 Seppeltsfield Port, with a cheese selection - delice de bourgogne, gouda, gruyere, cheddar, gorgonzola and stilton.

Should have had the fish pie before the sour cherry soup. Lesson learnt. All wine and food matches worked. The 99 Leoville Barton was probably a little forward. The Riesling was the wine of the night.