GROSSER RING TASTING OF 2007 WINES FROM THE NAHE, MOSEL, SAAR AND RUWER
German Embassy, London
11 June 2008
My overall
impressions were of a good vintage with many good wines, but few that
stood out from the crowed. Bit of a much of a muchness really.
Just on how they were showing today Spätlese is the level to look
at in 2007. The Kabinetts were generally good, though maybe
a bit ordinary, and I think quite a few Auslesen were outshone by
the Spätlesen.
Ernie
Loosen seems to have performed very well overall in 2007 - I usually
find the Mosel Loosen wines a bit below the average, but today they
were a bit above the average.
There were, unfortunately, some horribly aggressive trockens, including
a few that weren't so much aggressive as positively violent and
sadistic.
With the high levels of acidity, I have to say that this was one of the most exhausting day's tastings I've ever done.
The wines:
Weingut Dr Crusius, Nahe
2007 Traiser Weissburgunder trocken
Melony
fruit with huge minerality on the nose. Very, very dry on the palate.
Where's this big acidity on the finish coming from in a pinot blanc?
86/100
2007 Top of the Rock Riesling trocken
An
enticing nose with lemon zest and sandstone. Gorgeous austerity and
crispness. But very good complexity too. Heavy acidity on the finish.
88+/100
2007 Traiser Rotenfels Riesling Spätlese XIII
Very
pure, minerally riesling on the nose. Quite crisp and very clean on the
palate, but it seems to lack depth and character. Very drinkable
though. 86/100
2007 Traiser Bastei Riesling Spätlese Goldkapsel
There's
lovely polished stone restraint on the nose. Very good palate. This has
a very correct Spätlese feel. Amazing that it has very little acidity
after the massive acidity on the other Crusius wines. 87/100
2007 Traiser Rotenfels Riesling Auslese
Nice apples and peaches on the nose. Refined palate. Very clean and poised. Decent acidity on the finish. 88/100
Schlossgut Diel, Nahe
2007 Eierfels Riesling trocken
The nose has suble pear and peach fruit. Nice palate with good balance and character. Powerful acidity on the finish.
86/100
2007 Riesling Dorsheim trocken
Quite
extracted pear fruit on the nose with hints of eau de vie. Very dry
palate. Giving very little in the way of absolute pleasure. 84/100
2007 Dorsheimer Pittermännchen Riesling Kabinett
A fresh, minerally nose. There's a bit of weight on the palate. Very nicely balanced with good character. 88/100
2007 Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Spätlese
Lemon
zesty and minerally on the nose - a wet pebble minerality. Though
there's also a hint of wet dog. Decent, but walking a few paces behind
the Eierfels and Pittermännchen Kab. 85/100
2007 Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Auslese
The
nose is fresh and zesty with a talcy minerality. Nice weight and
mouthfeel. A bit flat on the middle then sweetness comes through waving
wildly. 88/100
Dönnhoff, Nahe
2007 Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett
The
nose has sweet red apples and a touch of lime. Very nice palate - very
poised and finely balanced. Very big, slightly aggressive acidity on
the finish. 88/100
2007 Riesling
A fairly zesty nose. Good palate. Not overly interesting, but fine. 84/100
2007 Felsentürmchen Riesling Spätlese
Pear fruit and a marble dusty, quarry minerality. Very firmly poised. Very elegant and lovely. Very good acidity. 91/100
2007 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese
From a half.
Very
good nose with some apricots and sweet apples. This is a very elegant
Auslese: very balanced with great purity of fruit. There's plenty of
acidity in there, but it feels to be already integrating. 91/100
2007 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese
A
gentle appley peach nose. Very good attack. But it falls off a little,
and it starts to feel a bit extracted and over concentrated. 86/100
Weingut Emrich-Schönleber, Nahe
2007 Riesling Lenz
A clean fresh nose. Very dry palate. Lacks interest a bit. 82/100
2007 Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling trocken
A rather murky nose. Decent palate. A bit unexceptional. 83/100
2007 Monzinger Riesling Kabinett
There's a bit of sulphur on the nose disguising some peachy fruit. Racy palate - very vibrant. A very pleasant wine. 87/100
2007 Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Auslese
From
a half. Peachy nose with some botrytis hints. This is just too young to
write anything meaningful about it at the moment: it really needs time
to knit together on the palate, and just feels a bit separate at the
moment. As a wine to drink now, 85/100, but potentially 88-90/100
2007 Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Spätlese
Apples, peach and citrus on the nose. Good palate. There aren't any fireworks, but it's solidly done. 86/100
Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe
2007 Weissburgunder trocken
A
dullish nose with a chalky minerality. Searingly dry palate. This just
feels like it's had all the pleasure fermented out of it in an attempt
to make something as dry as possible. There's just no fruit there at
all. Like most trockens, it may improve with 4+ years of ageing, but
I'm not going to bother finding out. 81/100
2007 Münsterer Pittersberg Riesling Kabinett trocken
Very crisp nose with just a hint of white fruits and flowers. Bone dry with the acidity to tame an Auslese. 83/100
2007 Münsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett
This
has a good open nose with some citrus and white peaches. Very pleasant
palate. There is a nice ripeness to the fruit, balanced by an acidity
that's already reasonably integrated. 88/100
2007 Münsterer Pittersberg Riesling Π (Pi), 12.5%
Not
a lot on the nose, just very faint infantile riesling characteristics.
Crisp, clean palate with some depth and character. Rather pleasant.
88/100
2007 Münsterer Dautenpflänzer Riesling Spätlese
There's
a pleasing subtle minerality on the nose. Good palate. Not
world-shaking, but well made and already drinking with pleasure, with
definite scope for improvement. 88/100 for now. Potentially c. 91/100
Gutsverwaltung Niederhausen Schloßböckelheim
2007 Niederhäuser Steinberg Riesling trocken
Crisp, clean minerality on the nose and one the palate. Very austere with über-searing acidity on the finish. 87/100
2007 Niederhäuser Hermannsberg Riesling trocken
The
nose has lemon and a crisp minerality. Very austere in the mouth, with
quite a lemony feel - or grapefruit, rather. Improved with food. 88/100
2007 Schloßböckelheimer Kupfergrube Riesling Feinherb
Quite
a nice nose with crisp stone fruit. Good palate with a pleasant
roundness. Fine acidity on the finish. Great length. 89/100
2007 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese
There's
elegant restraint on the nose; not rich, but there is a slight feel of
raisining to the fruit character. Very good palate: clean and elegant.
Very well balanced. Lovely depth and some complexity. 91/100
2007 Schloßböckelheimer Kupfergrube Riesling Auslese
A
rather closed nose with some fresh lemon juice. There's a nice richness
on the palate. It has an austere feel, but also a lovely acidity. 89/100
Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
2007 Riesling Spätlese trocken
Very crisp, white peach and pear nose. Very, very high acidity. Really rather unbalanced, and I don't like it. 79/100
2006 Felsterrasse Riesling
The
nose has concentrated pear drops and weak calvados, along with some
white chocolate. Very strange palate. All the right elements are there,
but (as Eric Morecambe might say) not in the right order. There's an
overlying extracted feel that doesn't entirely appeal to me. 82/100
2007 Pundericher Marienburg Riesling Spätlese
A
peachy round nose with a very perfumed minerality, almost tending
towards rose petals. Very rich for a Spätlese - it must be near
Auslese. On the palate, there are round, ripe, rich riesling flavours.
Very elegant. There's almost a hint of butterscotch on the palate.
90/100
2007 Riesling Kabinett trocken, 12%
Rather
pear droppy on the nose. Very, very dry attack - aggressively, nay
violently so. There's a certain concentration on the middle of the
palate, but overall this offers no pleasure whatsoever. 82/100
2007 Pundericher Marienburg Riesling Auslese
Nicely
nuanced ripe peaches and apricots on the nose. Sweet and full on the
palate. This is a big, full, correct Auslese with a nice interesting
character. One of the better Auslesen in a year which seems to have
favoured Spätlesen. 92/100
Grans-Fassian, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
2007 Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spätlese trocken S
Very fresh nose with almost limey fruit and gentle minerality. Decent palate. A bit unbalanced towards acidity. 83/100
2007 Hofberg Riesling
A
very interesting nose with apples, honeydew melon and peas/broad beans.
Rich and full on the palate, this is interesting and a little unusual.
Some acidity on the finish. Good. 83/100
2007 Trittenheimer Riesling Kabinett
Nice
zesty nose with a pleasing minerality. Very pleasant palate. This works
very well. It's just a touch off-dry, but it has the acidity to support
it. 89/100
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese
Peach
fruit with a hint of pears on the nose. This is a nice clean Spätlese
with just the right weight. But a bit boring, maybe? 88/100
2007 Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Auslese
There's
very good minerality on the nose - quite chalky and talcy overlaying
the ripe fruit. Nice pleasant mouthfeel - round and open. Quite forward
and integrated for its (lack of age). 89/100
Fritz Haag, Mosel
2007 Riesling
A
very precise young riesling nose. Crisp yet full palate. Rounded, but
then it quickly dries off as the acidity takes hold. 88/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett
At
the moment, the nose feels a bit unfocussed and out of sorts with
itself. Very nice palate though. It works very well in the mouth. Good
fruit; fairly dry. Nice acidity. 90/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
An
interesting nose with some extracted, spirity pears. Nice rich palate,
but with excellent balance. Very pleasing balancing acidity. 92/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
A
bit closed on the nose. Very precise and focussed palate. Peachy and
lemon flavours with a gentle richness and sweetness. 93/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
The
nose has apples and peaches with some air freshener notes. Nice weight.
This has a real Auslese weight, but possibly not the sweetness.
Impeccable balance. 93/100
Reinhold Haart, Mosel
2007 Piesporter Riesling Haart to Heart feinherb
A decent nose with minerality to the fore. Crisp, fresh palate. Good acidity. Interesting. 86/100
2007 Piesporter Gräfenberg Riesling Spätlese
There's
ripe fruit behind some gassiness. Very correct palate - and lovely with
it too. Working very well for me. Textbook Mosel riesling. 89/100
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
A
touch gassy and sulphury on the nose, masking the fruit. Good palate.
There's no fireworks, but this is a good solid, proper Kabinett with
nice finesse. 89/100
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese
An
ungiving nose. Quite green. There's something odd about it. Not
terribly exciting. All pretty correct, but a bit on the dull side.
86/100
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese
The
nose has floral white fruits and talcy minerality. Nice balance very
much evident. But it's more austere than the Grafenberg. Though some
sweetness comes through towards the finish. 89/100
Willi Haag, Mosel
2007 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett feinherb
Mmm ... now this is a nice nose. Layers of appley, peachy fruit. Quite crisp on the palate. Very fine acidity. 87/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett
A
fairly subdued nose. Very nice palate. This is a vibrant young Kabinett
offering lots of pleasure now, but also with some staying power. 90/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
There's a floral note and white peaches on the nose. Crowd-pleasing palate. Does what it should with some interest. 90/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese
Quite a wet slate nose. Zingy, vibrant palate. Very young feeling, but it augurs well for the future. 88-92/100
2006 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese
A
very attractive nose with concentrated oily peaches and cream, with
some diesel minerality already. Huge acidity that has yet to fully
integrate. Some slight extracted spirity fruit flavours still need time
to resolve themselves too. 90/100
Schloss Lieser, Mosel
2007 Schloss Lieser Riesling
There's
something slightly fishy on the nose - sardines? Maybe more of an ozone
note? Interesting, pleasant palate with nice balance and weight. 86/100
2007 Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
Not
very Auslese like on the nose - just some crisp white fruit and a hint
of minerality. There's an elegant light richness on the palate. 88/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
A rather ungiving nose, but the palate fulfils. Very correct feel with very good balance. 89/100
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Lang Goldkapsel
A
rather slight nose, but bery good palate. This is really giving what it
should. There is lovely fresh, sweet fruit, but with a beautiful
acidity, with quite a malic feel. Very enjoyable now, should be truly
great in 5 or 10 years plus. 93/100
Dr Loosen, Mosel
2007 Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Kabinett
Lovely
lemon sherbert nose. Very good palate on the attack. A bit sweet as you
let it sit in the mouth. There is some acidity, but not huge, on the
finish. 86/100
2007 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese
There are almost hints of apple and blackberry pie on the nose. Precisely focussed palate. Impressive. 92+/100
2007 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett
There
are fresh limey apples on the nose. In the mouth, this works very well.
Clean and fresh with lovely riesling character and excellent balance.
91/100
2007 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese
A
rather slight nose but with a nice minerality. Precise attack. Works
well initially, but becomes a little over-concentrated. 89/100
2007 Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese
The
nose has a nice minerality alongside some fresh riesling fruit.
Focussed and pure on the palate, this is very fine and elegant with
lovely poise. 93/100
JJ Prüm, Mosel
2004 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
The nose has slightly sour crab apples. Lovely, vigorous palate. 91/100
2004 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett
A touch limey on the nose. Nice palate: good fruit balanced by precise acidity. 90/100
2004 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
A rather restrained nose with some apples and a hint of peach. Very precise palate. Long and focussed. 91/100
2006 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
A dull nose. Flat palate. Rather odd. I hope this is faulty ... 82/100
2005 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
A
very restrained nose - very slight. Precise palate with quite a
marmaladey feel. Really good wine that's only going to improve over the
next several decades. 90/100
Studert-Prüm, Mosel
2007 Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Spätlese feinherb
Peach and talc on the nose. But very unbalanced on the palate. Not working for me. 80/100
2007 Studert-Prüm Riesling
A fairly crisp minerally nose. There's pear fruit on the palate. Works well overall. 87/100
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett
Very
pleasant nose: ripe apples and a hint of cider. Good appley palate,
with a nice young riesling feel and very nice minerality. 89/100
2006 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese **
The
nose has roast apples and a talcy minerality. This is a nice, pleasant
Auslese, well restrained. Nice finish with great length. Not
over-thrilling though. 88/100
2006 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese
A
rich, slightly apricotty nose with apples behind. Nice weight on the
palate. Very well balanced. Good integrated acidity. 90/100
Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben-Thanisch), Mosel
2007 Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese
A
very minerally nose. Nothing wrong on the palate. There's a good gentle
sweetness and a good acidity to balance it. But overall, it's not
really exciting me. 87/100
2007 Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett
This
is a nice traditional Kabinett - fresh and lemon-zesty, though a bit
short on acidity to counterbalance the ripeness of the fruit. 85/100
2007 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese
A peachy nose with firm minerality. Sweetish palate. Lacks depth. Rather dull. Correct but dull. 86/100
2007 Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese
There's
good minerality on the nose with a touch of sherbert and citrus. Well,
on the palate, it's fine: well made, competent and clean. But it lacks
interest. 86/100
St. Urbans-Hof, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese
Some white peaches overlain with a bit of sulphur. A solid, unexciting Spätlese. 86/100
2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett
Slightly
muddied on the nose with a hint of sulphur, or rather of eggs. Clean
and fresh on the palate, this is decent stuff with firm acidity. 87/100
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese
A
clean, crisp nose with good fruit. Decent palate, though there feels to
be a bit of a coarseness to it. Again, a solid, very drinkable
Spätlese, but at the moment it's a bit unexciting. 86/100
2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Auslese
A touch murky on the nose, which has floral stone fruits. Decent palate. Good. Not exactly thrilling, but good. 85/100
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Auslese
Good
nose with some fresh peachy fruit. Good palate - there's a nice weight
and ripeness, without it being especially sweet. Good balance. 87/100
Weingut Wegeler, Mosel
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese trocken
Quite a steely, minerally nose. Very vibrant palate. Good balance. Very nice, fresh, crisp and clean. Works well for me. 89/100
2007 Riesling
Quite
a pure nose - plenty of minerality and some rich fruit. Very good
palate, with good rich riesling flavours. There's a touch of sweetness,
but it feels very Kabinett like overall. 89/100
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
A
very restrained nose - rather closed indeed. Very even palate. Quite a
classy feel. Certainly some development to happen here before it
reaches a worthwhile drinking window. 88/100 for now; potentially 92/100
2006 Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese Lang Goldkapsel
Peach
and slate on the nose. Rich but not oversweet on the palate. Very nice
backbone. Peachy rounded flavours. Very pleasant. 92/100
Dr. F. Weins-Prüm, Mosel
2007 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett feinherb[
There's nice minerality on the nose, which follows through on the palate. Good, with a nice balance and good depth. 89/100
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett
Nice
nose - dry stone and slate minerality, together with very crisp green
apples. Very nice palate. There's a pleasing ripeness and weight with
some dpeth. Very good acidity. 89/100
2007 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese
This
has very fine, elegant minerality on the nose - a very poised nose. On
the sweeter side of Spätlese perhaps, but it works well for me. 89/100
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
Apples,
lime and wet slate on the nose. Very elegant and poised on the palate.
This is working very well for me now and it will definitely improve.
91/100
2006 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
A
bit closed on the nose with a faint whiff of sulphur lingering. Hmmm
... this feels a bit out of sorts with itself and has some odd,
extracted spirity pear flavours. I don't really like this. 82/100
Zilliken, Saar
2007 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett
Lovely fresh nose. Very good palate. Fine restraint. 88/100
2007 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese
An elegant Spätlese nose. Nice palate - very even. Good acidity which is fairly well knitted already. 89/100
2007 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
Very restrained nose. Good palate. Very fine acidity, which stops the deep richness from being cloying. 92/100
2007 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese Auction
The
nose has crisp, lemony apple fruit and a nice subtle minerality. There
is a lot of apple fruit on the palate too. This is really nice. 96/100
2003 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Auction
Very
intense apricots and raisins on the nose. Amazing acidity, which cuts
right through the concentration. Delicious and superb. 95/100
Von Hövel, Saar
2007 Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Kabinett
Lovely fresh nose. Zingy, fresh, racy palate. Very nice. There's also a lovely austerity behind. 92/100
2007 Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Spätlese
Very fresh nose with lemon zest and a nice minerality. Very good balance on the palate. Super acidity on the finish. 91/100
2007 Scharzhofberger Riesling Spätlese
Lemon
zest and a touch of air freshener on the nose. Direct palate. It has a
good feel in the mouth, though the directness has as its corollary a
lack of complexity - certainly at the moment anyway. 88/100
2007 Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Auslese
The
nose has peach, citrus zest and talc. Nice palate: very balanced. It
has good fruit, acidity and minerality, together with a very persistent
length. 91/100
2007 Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel **
From a half bottle.
Quite
subdued on the nose. Very refined palate. You hardly feel the
sweetness, such is the admirable restraint and acidity. Searing acidity
after. Top stuff. 94/100
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
2007 Riesling RK
There
are crisp, crunchy apples on the nose. But the palate is rather
unfocussed. A bit odd and funky, and I don't think that just down to
bottle/travel shock. 83/100
2007 Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett
A
very attractive nose with subtle citrus and apple fruit, alongside a
gentle minerality. Very dry on the palate. It has a nice depth, but
overall, I don't find it very satisfying. 85/100
2007 Josephshöfer Riesling Kabinett
A
gentle nose; a bit richer than the Scharzhofberger Kabinett, but
generally pretty similar with citrus, apples and good minerality.
Perhaps there is a bit more in the way of slatey wet stones on this
wine. Fuller palate. Quite round and open. Feeling very young and
rather unresolved on the finish. 86/100
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese
This
has more of a zesty, chalky feel on the nose, rather than slate. Lovely
palate; very balanced. Working very well for me. 90/100
2006 Josephshöfer Riesling Auslese Lang Goldkapsel Fuder 6
There
are slate and apricots on the nose. Good palate. Possibly a bit simple
(at this early stage in its life anyway). A bit more acidity would
probably help. Still, you wouldn't kick it out of the cellar if you
woke up next to it. 88/100
Egon Müller
2007 Riesling QbA Scharzhof
Very
lemony, zesty nose. On the palate there's immediately a very searing
acidity - it almost hurts! The opposite of so many Gutsrieslings.
Super. 90/100
2007 Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett
A
charming nose - crisp green fruit and a subtle, but very definite
minerality. Very clean, crisp palate. Beautiful austerity. Bloody good
Kab. 92/100
2007 Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese
Fresh
apples and almost a hint of asparagus on the nose. Very fine palate.
Fabulous restraint. Superb acidity, which still needs to integrate a
bit further. 92/100
2007 Wiltinger Braune Kupp Riesling Spätlese
Some
lovely ripe apples on the nose. On the palate, it works very well. In
the mouth the fruit doesn't feel especially ripe, which then combined
with the huge acidity makes it feel very dry. 91/100
2007 Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
Very
elegant peach and pear fruit nose. Lovely palate with real weight and
richness, but also with a very big balancing acidity. Superb stuff. How
good is this going to be with a few years age, when it's an easy 94/100
now?
Weingut von Othegraven
2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese
Dusty
quarries in the nose. Quite a rich, sweet palate. It could do with a
bit more finesse. Persistent length with lingering acidity. 84/100
2007 Riesling Feinherb
Very sulphury nose. Lacks character and interest. I don't like it at all. 77/100
2007 Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Spätlese
Sulphury lemon zest on the nose. Decent palate - much better than the nose. Quite fine and elegant. 86/100
2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Auslese
Crisp
lemony zesty nose with very good minerality. Rich and round on the
palate, with searing acidity on the finish, which has yet to integrate
properly. 86/100 now, potentially 88/100
2007 Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Kabinett
The
heavy sulphur on the nose masks anything else that might be there.
Austere, fairly bright, light palate. Little to recommend it. 80/100
2007 Riesling Feinherb, 10.5%
Nice nose with minerals to the fore and some gassy mercaptans. Very, very crisp palate. Not at all bad. 88/100
2007 Riesling Spätlese feinherb
Very crunchy apples on the nose. Lovely Spätlese richness feel, but dry. Very nicely balanced. Very long. 92/100
2007 Riesling Kabinett, 8.5%
Attractive nose with peachy apples and wet pebbles. Lovely palate. Nice elegance. A proper Kab. 91/100
2007 Riesling Spätlese
Citrus
and pears on the nose with a big overlaying minerality. Very good
palate. Again excellent balance. Very correct and enjoyable. 91/100
Van Volxem
2007 Wiltinger Braunfels Riesling
Intens,
concentrated apple fruit and a fine hot stone minerality. Curious
palate. This isn't really to my taste and has some savage notes.
Feeling a bit ordinary. 82/100
2007 Saar Riesling
Peaches, apples, lemons dominate the nose. Very dry, but very fine. Works very well. 89/100
2007 Riesling Alte Reben
A
rather slight nose. Concentrated fruit on the palate. This has huge
depth and power and complexity, to the point that I wonder just whether
you can really call it a Mosel riesling (albeit that it's made from
riesling and comes from the Mosel, but you know what I mean). 91/100
2007 Scharzhofberger Riesling Erste Lage
Tank sample.
There's a bit of lemon and minerality on the nose. Full-ish round palate. Clean, long and very interesting. 92/100
2007 Rotschiefer Riesling Kabinett
A pleasant, zesty, fresh nose. This is a nice, classic Kab that works really well. Very integrated and together. 90/100
Dr. Wagner
2007 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett trocken
A
slight nose. Very dry palate. Very lean indeed, but, while there's some
powerful acidity on the finish, some riesling character shows through
and persists in the mouth. 87/100
2007 Saarburger Kupp Riesling Kabinett feinherb
Quite
an attractive lemony nose. Good palate. A distinct improvement on the
Rausch Kab trocken. There's still a fine acidity, but it feels more
like the acidity is holding it together. 89/100
2007 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett
Nice
slatey minerality with a touch of apples on the nose. This is a nice
ripe Kabinett with racy acidity on the finish. Works well. 89/100
2007 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese
There's
austere riesling fruit on the nose, with some soft minerality. Very
good palate. Just the right balance. A very correct Spätlese that's
very pleasing. 91/100
2003 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Auslese
A bit of a muddy nose. Very clean, pure palate. It works well, but isn't really thrilling me. 88/100
Karthäuserhof
2007 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Kabinett trocken
There's
quite a ripe feel to the nose with some peachy fruit. Bone dry on the
palate, almost aggressively so, but it resolves itself remarkably well.
86/100
2007 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Kabinett feinherb
Clean, crisp, gently appley nose. Deep palate. Fair balance. Falls apart a bit on the finish. 84/100
2007 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Kabinett
A slightish nose with a hint of apples. Good palate with a bit of interest there. 89/100
2007 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Spätlese
Very
slight nose. Lighter than a lot of the other 2008 Spätlesen tasted
today. Fresh and crisp palate with just enough Spätlese weight. 89/100
2007 Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Auslese
There's
a nice lemon minerality on the nose. Good palate initially, but it
feels a bit unbalanced on the middle. Still better than many, though.
89/100