Vino with vittles

[Florida Jim]

With pasta salad and whole grain bread:

2001 Belle Pente, Riesling:

clean nose of fresh air, apple, resin and spring water/

light body, smooth texture, white fruit flavors with a touch of mineral, ver good balance such that there is sufficient acid without any loss of fruit and texture/

medium finish.

$15, delivered.

2000 Nigl Riesling Goldberg:

penetrating nose of pineapple, mineral and floral tones/

medium body, quite acidic, as it airs the fruit flavors (which follow the nose) become slightly rounder, very intense, concentrated, unbalanced toward acid at present/

long, very crisp finish.

$29, on sale.

The contrast was marked. The BP softer and more approachable; the Nigl deeper and showing so young. Still, we enjoyed the side-by-side.

With grilled pork loin and mushroom risotto:

1999 Siduri, Pinot Noir Shaw Vnyd.:

showing that green/reduced streak that virtually all 99 Oregon pinots have but also plenty of fruit and spice/

medium body, pretty dense without being overdone, almost no trace of the reduced element on the palate which is nicely layered with red and black fruits, concentrated, balanced/

long finish.

Needs a couple years but shows well now if given some air.

$56, delivered.

Best, Jim