Midsummer wines

We celebrated midsummer and what better way to do so than to enjoy it with good food and even better wine.

Starting from left to right:

The Bollinger rose was exactly what you'd expect from a rose. Dry and high in acidity with a lot of rhubarb, raspberry and strawberry flavours. A very enjoyable summer wine, though perhaps not the most 'exciting' one.

The Grosset Polish Hill 2022 was a top notch riesling, super high in acidity, a lot of citrus fruit and apple notes. Very complex with a long finish. I've had Grossets a few times, and I genuinely feel like they can compete with any German GGs at a similar price point. Absolutely loved it.

Nik Weis Saarfeilser GG 2017 was in many ways a complete opposite of the Grosset. The acidity was significantly mellower and the citrus/apple was largely overshadowed by the 'petrol' notes. The texture was also silkier. Wasn't quite as complex as the Grosset unfortunately, though still a solid wine.

Keller Abst E 2023, butchered and devoured too young. Despite that, it was an absolute beauty. Perhaps the least surprising wine of the day, the expectations were super high and it delivered. Grosset, except on steroids. Surprisingly fresh for an Abst E, though that might have more to do with its age in this case. In a year or two this wine will be mind blowing.

Ch. Smith Haut Laffitte 2017 had very clear dark berry notes, with hints of dark chocolate, the tannins had eased considerably. Despite the white wine (or in this case riesling) heavy day, this was perhaps the 'strongest' wine in its current state. Even the 'non red wine drinkers' enjoyed this as it was considered a very easy drinking wine.