2012 Mulheimer Sonnenlay Zeppelin Richter

This white wine is from Germany.  I twisted the cap on the 2012 Mulheimer Sonnenlay Zeppelin Richter Riesling many times this past summer. This particular vineyard has been in the same family since 1643.  It is managed by Dr. Dirk Max Ferdinand Richter, the 9^th generation managing the vineyard.  These grapes come from growers in Mülheim an der Mosel, a small and narrow mountainous wine commune Over the Hills and Far Away in Western Germany.  It is said that this is the only mountain in Europe fully dedicated to wine growing.  The label on this wine is rather pretty.  It has a picture of a fanciful airship, a Zeppelin, and the reason being is that Mülheimer Sonnenla was served onboard the Hindenburg.

On the nose: This vino is hitting the air on the snare drum and cymbal like only Bonzo can. “There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold” … this wine follows suit with a perfect shade.  It hits all the high notes like only Mr. Plant can with a little bit of Tangerine* scent as well as lays the line down like John Paul Jones can. OK, so I had Led Zeppelin IV album cover poster above my bed, kill me.  The aromas are rather nice, kind of like The Ocean*.  It kept my attention for the time the bottle was opened. If you grab a bottle, I guarantee you will not feel like a Fool in the Rain.

Palate: Did I forget someone. Oh this smacks the taste of apricot in your mouth like one of Jimmy Page’s guitar hooks. Definitely would be nice with some seafood.  Maybe a salmon filet.  Unfortunately, even though this is a great value for a Riesling, it doesn’t inspire with new tastes as The Song Remains the Same.  Has all the fixings of a Riesling, little residual sugar, punch of acidity, and Custard Pie. This wine doesn’t get All My Love. Let me stop before I Ramble On too much….

*(artistic license taken)

Rating Scale (out of 5 +):

+++

Price: $14

"Nobody’s Fault but Mine…for drinking this wine" 

I did it. 10 Zeppelin song titles in one review….Thank you

2007 Cougar Crest Reserve Syrah

This red wine is from the Southeastern part of Washington State.  I popped the cork on a bottle of the 2007 Cougar Crest Reserve Syrah made by a rather unknown winemaker Deborah Hansen. Deborah’s original calling had nothing to do with the wine business.  Actually, she earned her degree to become a pharmacist. I am happy that she scrapped her dreams of being a friendly smile behind the counter at our local Walgreens® and found her true calling on the craggy soil of Walla Walla Valley. Let’s not try and avoid the obvious and ignore the horrendous name given to this Vineyard.  Cougar plus Crest denotes a very weird, rather peculiar image. Maybe they need a good Advertising and Public Relations guy?  Any takers?  Besides the atrocious nomenclature, this wine has a lot of stuffing.

On the nose: This is like a Tiny Dancer (don’t hold me closer Elton John!) that glides across each nostril and questions each from where such a stupefying concocted scent could be born.  Well the answer to that question is Walla Walla Valley in good ol’ Washington State.  The perfume of this beauty is plentiful. Think of delicate rose pedals being laid out on a Gulf Coast beach to be dried out.  A nice sea breeze hits your face and you breathe in at that exact moment.  A little allspice and some sweet orange bell peppers to round things out.

Palate: Has me wondering why I haven’t had more Syrah from Washington, shame on me.  This can easily pass for a ten year old Côte-Rôtie created by Marcel Guigal that would run into the hundreds of dollars.  Love the length. I actually still think I am tasting some lingering flavors from this wine when I write this review.  Easily in the top 5 wines that I have tasted this year.  I would not bother to lay this bottle down for any time as it’s hitting its stride right now.  Not the easiest bottle to find and most of the bottles are available in the Northwest.  I picked up 4 bottles on a whim from www.wtso.com. Happy Drinking!

Rating Scale (out of 5 +):

++++½

Price: $40 – I got my bottles for $20 apiece.  Keep an eye out, you may get lucky….

"Those are some real ugly sunglasses"