#362 Blind Alsace, same wine, sequential years!

Blind tasting is all well and good.  Trying to determine the difference between an Oregon Pinot Noir and the same grape from Beaune can be tricky.  Barossa Shiraz verses Rhone Syrah is a bit easier, but what about trying to see the vintage differences between the same wine?  If it was ten years apart, I think I'd be able to do it, five years might be easy(ish) too, but what if they were one year apart? Oh dear....

The wine was Trimbach's Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesing, from the 2001 and 2002 vintages.  I was given them blind and here is what I though.

Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling - Wine #1
A fresh, lively, intense confit lemon and lime marmalade aroma, some notes of honey come through as well with a delightful fresh, citrussy note.  Some white pepper too.  The palate has a bitterness up front, which then removes to show lemon, a touch of petrol, some lovely fruit stone flavours.  A very clean, peppery note with soft lemon pith, great balance - just a touch of acid biting at the end, but delicious. 8/10.  I think that this is the lesser vintage of 2001, younger drinking and just a bit more shouty!

Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling - Wine #2

There isn't much difference in flavours, but this wine appears to be more subdued and elegant, a bit more of a mineral note and more fresh lemon.  The aroma is a little more creamy, as is the palate, and there is just a bit more savoury, pithy note.  I actually prefer this wine, as it shows more minerality and is less showy.  I think that this is a more elegant wine but isn't ready yet.  The first wine is just more approachable now.  9/10.  I think that this wine is the 2002 as it is just a better wine, but quite closed at the minute.

The results...
A miracle occurred!  I got it right! Wine 1 was the 2001 and Wine 2 the 2002.