I had spent the whole day thinking what I should take....wanting to maybe choose a Spätburgunder..but thinking..you are getting boring Barry...Luckily, I was on my bike and peddling the route when I started to waver again...so...the Shafer it was. I had been torn between the 1991 and the 1992..but had decided on the latter. Into the Bistro..quick cover-up before Volker arrived..and then open the bottle. I had taken 3 tools with me. The old fashioned 'pull it till your back hurts' corkscrew, the modern screwpull, and the recently discussed 'butler's friend'. The screwpull entered the top of the cork..and was at once rejected..

so..rather than spend the night with back-ache..James the Butler was called upon. He spread his legs..and entered the bottle...a shake of the left and a shake of the right..and a push gently downwards..when in..start the music (I'm getting carried away here)..and a few waggles...and there she was...a long one..slightly moist. A quick whiff..and then sit back and wait to see what Volker had brought.
With both bottles covered-up...what to drink first..but we decided on experience that his was the opener. Grilled octopus was our starter...and the wine red...well I could only hope for..yes...!!! a Spätburgunder. Now..all that worrying earlier that I would get the 'shakes' if I didn't get my SB Booster...you fool Barry.
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
OK...do it backwards...say what it isn't..Not Baden, Not Franken, Not Ahr, Rheingau & Pfalz..nope.
Not Rheinhessen?..Shake of the head...hmmm..then in despair I casually said..'don't tell me it's the Mosel'...answer....'yep..Ruwer'...wow..this is a first. Volker had been there recently..it is near to Trier..and in a small 'Gasthaus' had tried the local red and had been impressed...and to


rights...a cherry nose..this has a soft gentle sweetness..serious enough..but also gulpable..slight burnt edge on the palate..keeping the fruit interesting...very juicy. The 2005 vintage was obviously perfect for this wine..Volker mentioned he had tried the 2003 which was not as good. A lovely surprise..and a must-buy..but you'll never find it.
Points 16.5
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