EAST COAST PALATE

I feel blessed to complete another year of life.  It's even better to do so surrounded by family and great food and wine.  Last Friday night we went to the cellar level of Mrs. K's Tollhouse in Silver Spring.  What transpired over the next four hours was nothing short of spectacular, every sip, every bite, every laugh.  I'm thankful to my parents for life, and to the staff at Mrs. K's for helping me celebrate it in unforgettable fashion.

The first bottle opened (unscrewed, not uncorked) was a Lingenfelder 2003 Riesling.  I'm a big fan of dry German Riesling, and this wine from the Bird-Label series was a delicious start to my birthday feast.
It has toasty, nutty, peach, and honey aromas, mixed with slatey mineral component.  It almost smells creamy like a buttery, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, but then it cuts cleanly into the palate with smooth start, a tart rise, and then a warming floral finish.  For $35 at a restaurant, this is a great deal.  I'd score it with 91 points, an A- with complex aromas and a whole lot of flavor.
A quick query online showed that this wine is available for $14, without shipping costs.  For fans of Riesling, I'd recommend it highly.  For more info about the viticultural practices of the crew at Lingenfelder, visit their website: www.lingenfelder.com.