Three Interesting Wines

2004 Beckman Vineyards “Le Bec Blanc”
$18
1993 Jacoby Urzigen Wurzgarten, Spatlese, Mosel
$19
2005 Tablas Creek Counoise
$28
Shane’s Notes

We spotted the Beckman for sale at a wine tasting bar and we had to buy it. We really liked Beckman’s Syrahs at the Rhone Rangers tasting and his wines are hard to find. This particular white is a Rhone style blend (53% Rousanne, 37% Marsanne and 10% Grenache Blanc). The dominant flavor is apple with some nectarine underneath. The finish is slightly stony and the wine is mouth filling. Bravo to Beckmen.

We found the Jacoby at K&L. I feel like a sucker buying older bottles at a wine shop because about half of the bottles we buy are ruined. However, it is our best shot at drinking aged wines because we just don’t have the room to build a wine cellar in our apartment. So, we rolled the dice and picked up this ’93 Riesling. K&L assured us that it was aged at the winery and just recently shipped. This wine was undamaged and we really enjoyed it. The flavors included apricot and pear with undertones of lemon and banana. It had a hint of sweetness up front followed by a tanginess leading into a stony finish. The age may have robbed some of the flavors of their vibrancy but the rich texture was quite a treat.

The Counoise was shipped to us as part of our semi-annual allotment of wines from our Tablas Creek membership. It was very interesting to taste a 100% Counoise. It was tangy and although we aren’t experts, it certainly seemed very acidic. It was mildly concentrated with flavors of plums and strawberries. There were also lavendar and herbal notes. It was a very nice casual red. At $28, it is not over priced, but on the other hand, I’m not sure I’d pay that much for another bottle.