Alsatians, Sbutticaia, Sammarco

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 canap=E9s.

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 clbuttic 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 saut=E9ed pollenta.

1988 Sbutticaia - 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 Sbutticaia 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.