EAST COAST PALATE

This is a wine that smells like nectar from honeysuckle blossoms poured over candied apples.  It smells like marmelaide zested with lemon peel.  It smells sweet and sticky, yet it isn't full of flabby, syrupy mediocrity like so many Rieslings that have a fair amount of residual sugar left in them.  There is a pop of acidity that balances the body of this wine, and even some effervescence that tingles your tongue and releases pear, apricot, and green apple flavors. 
If you are the type of wine drinker that avoids Riesling on account of sweetness, do not give up on this wine before you try it.  If you like Gewurtztraminer or Moscato, then go find a bottle of this harvest-select treat right away.  I give this bottle a B+ and recommend it highly as its price tag will be just over $10 in most stores.
Pairing this wine might lead your ideas toward desert, which would be delicous (I'm thinking peach cobbler, apple tart, vanilla ice cream, whatever...), but try this wine with a salad:  baby spinach or mesclun greens, slices of ripe pear or apple (or both), toasted almonds and crumbles of salty gorgonzola... finish it all with a honey vinagrette and this duo will be an experience you'll never forget.

This is a Riesing with no perceived sweetness, except maybe aromatically.  For $13, this bottle offers a wine that is crystal clear, even pretty to look at.  It has a zesty lemon scent, a bit of pear, some fresh flowers, and a touch of that alcoholic sting on the nose.  And once past the lips it delivers a lush onset, followed by a crescendo-like acidic lift.  The amount of body surprised me here.  This is a wine that can go solo or with some rich cream-sauce-smothered seafood.  I like this wine a lot and give it an A- in that 90-9 point range. 
Question of Riesling preference:  Which does it for you more the sweet or the dry?  What are some of your favorite Rieslings?

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.