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$28.95
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FWR 91
IWC 89
Germany
In stock,
10
available
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Terry Theise: "(discernible but not obtrusive sweetness) SOMMELIER ALERT! This has the purest fragrance of old-school Mosel Riesling. It"s why we love it with a heart almost childlike, one we hardly know we own. This is sleeker than most recent vintages -- a 'mere' 87° with 10.8g acidity, which is not unnoticeable, but the slightly arch charm is beautiful for its angularity, and the wine shows absurd length."
91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Dhron Hofberg Kabinett displays yellow peach fruit but with restraint and also shows good length to go with some sweetness. 8.0% stated alcohol. (Issue #135/136; 2012)"
89 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "Fresh bouquet of pear and apple blossom. Delicately sweet on the palate, offering a nice interplay of apricot and luscious citricity. The persistent finish offers lipsmacking elegance. An exemplary kabinett. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
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$17.95
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Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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$17.95
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Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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This aromatic white wine is full of grapefruit flavor and floral character, with a plump mouthfeel and a lush ending. It's incredibly versatile and pairs well with all kinds of assertively spiced foods.
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$129.95
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JG 94
FWR 94
WA 93
Germany
In stock,
1
available
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List $148.00
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94+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "In 2010, the Hermannshöhle Grosses Gewächs is the top dry Riesling in the cellar, but it is a very close race between this and the stunning Dellchen. The deep and beautifully complex bouquet on the Hermannshöhle delivers scents of pink grapefruit, lemon peel, wild yeasts, incipient notes of petrol and a stunningly complex base of minerality. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, tight and tensile, with a rock solid core of fruit, laser-like focus and great length and grip on the very mineral-driven finish. All three of the Grosses Gewächs bottlings in the Dönnhoff cellars this year show beautiful acid integration, as the snappy acids are seamlessly woven into the body of the wine without losing any cut or precision on the backend. This is no small feat in 2010! 2018-2045+. (Mar/Apr 2011)"
94 points Fine Wine Review: "The Hermannshöhle GG shows more body than the other two GGs; the slate flavors are long and a bit broader than the prior two wines, but this wine is still light and airy. (Issue #135/136; 2012)"
93 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$74/750ml list] One has to rely strongly on mineral vocabulary even to describe the nose of Donnhoff’s 2010 Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, with its suggestions of struck flint and wet stone that mingle with toasted nuts, grapefruit, and white peach. Firm in texture and formidably dense, yet in no way heavy (and, like its immediate Grosses Gewachs siblings, hovering around 13% in alcohol), this finishes with almost implacable grip and a complexly dynamic exchange of fruit, herb, and mineral. A profound wine that calls attention to itself without really attempting to charm, it appears to have energy and sheer juiciness to spare for at least the next decade, during which I would not be surprised to witness it gaining further complexity. (Dec 2011)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "Precise and pure-tasting, with flavors and aromas of dried apricot, pear, apple tart and spice. Elegant, with a fine density and a concentrated finish of dried berry with hints of ripe melon and gooseberry. Drink now through 2018. 60 cases imported. (3/7/12)"
92 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "Savory aromas of dried apricot and blackberry, with a smoky, herbal character. Dense passion fruit and a finely polished minerality animate the palate. Rich, elegant and spicy on the persistent finish. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
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$15.95
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Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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Terry Theise: "(no discernable sweetness) Something I noticed with the ‘10s was how their acidities just burned away the sweetness... this is a serious wine and a serious departure from its norm, all sage and marjoram rather than cassis and elderflower. Zero botrytis yet over 90º (i.e., good Spät), salty and Sencha-like, with almost a GrüVe boxwoody note."
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$18.95
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WA 88
Germany
In stock,
5
available
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88 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$21 list] Surprisingly, given what’s typical chez Kauer, not to mention given the character of the vintage, his 2010 Bacharacher Kloster Furstental Riesling Kabinett trocken reached 11.9% alcohol. He didn’t, however, think its sense of ripeness merited the designation 'Spatlese' and I wouldn’t disagree. Wet stone and saliva-stimulating salinity accent flavors of lemon, winter squash and pear. The sense of stuffing here is considerable, which might be one reason why the wine avoids any sense of tartness or bifurcation such as one finds with many of its vintage, and even a hint of milkiness is not disturbing. This ought to perform well for several years. (Dec 2011)"
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$39.95
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IWC 90
Germany
In stock,
1
available
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List $47.00
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90 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): recommended, but not tasting note given. (Jan/Feb 2012)
2009 vintage rated 92 points by Wine Advocate: "Kunstler's 2009 Hochheimer Stielweg Riesling Alte Reben suggests both chicken and veal stocks in its Chablis-like aromas and flavors, with smoky peat and black tea; palpable chalkiness; as well as mouthwatering salinity lending interest as well as allure. Coffee, hazelnut oil, grapefruit rind, and peach kernel contribute further complexity to this superb Rieslings long, pungently stimulating finish. I am reminded of why I used to routinely buy Kunstlers Stielweg trocken, and this bottling puts both him and me in mind of the youthful 1990 and 1997, though I anticipate it will mature more gracefully than the former, and over a dozen or more years. Two bottles sealed with cork failed on this occasion to deliver quite the same clarity or complexity as a bottle that had been screw-capped."
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$94.95
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FWR 96
Germany
In stock,
3
available
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96 points Fine Wine Review: "Last, the Geisenheimer Rothenberg Eiswein is a classic Eiswein -- sweet, deep, intense, and exceedingly pure -- essence of Riesling. (Issue #135/136; 2012)"
Terry Theise: "(bona-fide dessert wine) Picked the day after Christmas. This is among the greatest Eisweins I’ve ever tasted. A parfait of wild strawberries and peonies. Evokes memories that aren’t even yours. Something singular and sublime here, as ethereal as meringue, as solid as a loving dream... What I’m feeling tasting this little miracle are the presences of the sublime, and of divinity... Great botrytis wines are more wolfish, more salivary; there is savor in them. Great Eiswein are like an ether of existence in which a hidden sublimity is revealed. Great Eiswein is also in some way absolutely still. It’s like the curve in the road you can’t see beyond, or like the instant between inhale and exhale, calm and yet suspenseful."
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$17.95
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FWR 90
WS 88
Germany
In stock,
10
available
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List $22.00
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90 points Fine Wine Review: "The Dragonstone is Leitz’s QbA Riesling from the Drachenstein (which means Dragonstone in German) vineyard in Rüdesheim. The wine is floral and round with lime aromas and flavors and a lovely balance. (Issue #135/136; 2012)"
88 points Wine Spectator: "[$22 list] Bright and juicy, with spiced apple flavors, along with notes of pear tart, apricot and peach. Tropical fruit and spice notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2024... (4/30/12)"
Terry Theise: "(discernible but not obtrusive sweetness) CORE-LIST WINE... I think it’s the best vintage ever (which pisses me off as there’s less of it available) -- at least apples-to-apples tasting in March. It has the crazy grip of the vintage, the thickness of fruit and spearmint, plus the kirsch of the site. A really happy wine to drink now, though if past is prologue you can age it for ten years and have a beauty on your hands... Josef Leitz is universally regarded as one of the three stars of the new generation of Rheingauers (with Künstler and Weil). Extraordinarily aromatic, vigorous wines from a vintner who grows more commanding each vintage."
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$31.95
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Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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Terry Theise: "(barely discernable sweetness) SOMMELIER ALERT! A relative gentleman, this Scheu, in a conservative grey suit but with a green polka-dot tie. Woodruff and subtle cassis and marjoram; focused and digital, refined, the reduction of tropical fruit to...what? To a ceremony of the roots, and to the black magma in which they live. I have a sense this could explode with extravagant spice and esoterica -- live its wicca-life -- so don’t assume this will be 'subtle' forever. But I guarantee you, this is in every way more interesting, finer, better than the novelties you’re sourcing from those corners in Malta or Gibraltar or wherever."
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$19.95
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FWR 87
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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87 points Fine Wine Review: "Given some airing, Salwey’s entry-level Spätburgunder is most attractive with silkiness to the texture and minerality to the red fruits. 13% stated alcohol. (Issue #138; 2013)"
Producer notes: "The 2010 vintage delivered extremely small berries and led to intensely colored and fruity wines. In addition to the typical notes of red currant, this wine presetns nice acidity and minerality. For us these factors make the 2010 vintage one of exceptional quality. This estate wine is an unobtrusive but classic Pinot Noir that enriches light meat dishes and/or bread and cheese. Alcohol 13.0%."
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$25.95
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WA 90
Germany
In stock,
2
available
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90 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The sole (shades of last year!) Schaefer 2010 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett smells alluringly and site-typically of apple, lemon, ginger, cashew and pistachio; as well as more intriguingly of musk and toasted grains. In something of a reversal from their anticipated roles, this is more airy and elegant, wearing its measurably high extract less on its sleeve than does the corresponding Himmelreich. Here, in fact, is one of those rare 2010s labeled as 'Kabinett' that’s not only impressive but also arguably appropriately labeled! 'I think they’ve switched roles since bottling,' cautions Christoph Schaefer, 'because earlier the Himmelreich definitely seemed the more delicate.' A sense of transparency to nuances of salt, stone, and spice lends the generously juicy finish complexity, even if I’d give that of the Himmelreich the edge in focus and sheer next sip-inducing irresistibility. This Kabinett, too, is apt to be a delight for the next 20 years, and might well seem a more profound one with time. (Feb 2012)"
Terry Theise: "(barely discernable sweetness) SOMMELIER ALERT! As always, more starched and at-attention; overtly slatey and stony and with the clearest green apple; some wines show outside size but this shows inside size, it’s like free-run apple juice with semi-precious stones dissolved in it; the wine starts out assertive and palpably seems to melt, dissolve and soften, the way you feel if you see your beloved across a crowded room."
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$19.95
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FWR 90
Germany
In stock,
10
available
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90 points Fine Wine Review: "The Nahe medium-dry is most tasty -- just off-dry and penetrating with lime fruit, power, elegance, and clarity. 16 g/l residual sugar here. This wine was deacidified. (Issue #135/136; 2012)"
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$53.95
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IWC 90
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $65.00
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90 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "Subtle aromas of guava, green apple and bacon fat. Unctuous melon texture with a salty minerality. Rich, pure and tantalizingly dry on the finish. In the off-dry style, one of the wines of the vintage. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
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$23.95
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FWR 91
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Riesling tastes off-dry, in large part because of the crackling acidity. The wine is filled with citric, especially lemon, notes in the nose and mouth and is intense and medium-bodied. This wine is made entirely from grapes in the Herrenberg vineyard. You can drink it now as an aperitif or with food, and I expect it should have a long life. 11.0% stated alcohol. (Issue #135-136; 2012)"
Producer notes: "This off-dry Estate Riseling from our solely owned Maximin Grünhäuser vineyards offers lovely notes of peach and apricot with great depth and a focused minerality. Goes well with all spicy foods."
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$29.95
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WS 94
WA 91
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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94 points Wine Spectator: "Juicy and very pure-tasting, with luscious flavors of stone fruits, mineral and spice. There's fine creaminess as well, with some floral notes. The graceful finish features dried mango and honey. Drink now through 2040. 50 cases made. (3/31/12)"
91 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$50 list] Bert Selbach’s 2010 Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese delivers a site-typical amalgam of sassafras extract, lime-aid and candied grapefruit rind on a sleek, subtly oily, and creamy yet persistently refreshing palate. There are stony and mouthwateringly saline nuances here such as one too seldom encounters at this level of ripeness and botrytization, much less from this particular site. Any of the 690 bottles of this should bid fair to perform well over the next 25 years. (Feb 2012)"
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$39.95
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WA 94
IWC 91
FWR 91
Germany
In stock,
4
available
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94 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The 2010 Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spatlese A.P. #8 leads with alkaline, crushed stone, smoky mineral notes sitting atop effusive mango, Persian melon, Rainier cherry, and pink grapefruit such as one would in a more typical Zilliken line-up come midway through the Auslesen (but wait ... this is midway through a bunch of Auslesen, really). While the transparently tropical and now shimmering underlying mineral motifs persist on the palate, now brown spice-tinged, this exhibits a levity and vivacity that such signals of advanced ripeness and botrytization probably will not have led you to expect. The long finish manages to both sooth and stimulate. Hauntingly alluring suggestions of rowan, heliotrope, lily, and almond extract well-up as you work this around in the mouth, and persist in the empty glass, still subtly shrouded by smoke. This rivetingly complex and seductive Spatlese should be worth following for three decades. (Feb 2012)"
91 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "Bright aromas of apple blossom, lemon zest and sweet herbs. The delicate pineapple fruit is refined, salty and light in spite of the wine's density. Well-balanced and attractively spicy on the finish. (Jan/Feb 2012)"
91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Rausch Spätlese is slaty and stone in the nose. There are pronounced slate and lime flavors and the wine is fairly sweet -- indeed the sugar/acid balance may be off just a slight bit from the optimal for my tastes. 7.5% stated alcohol. (Issue #135/136; 2012)"
91 points Wine & Spirits: "This is unusually exotic, with notes of five-spice and curry powder under the Meyer lemon and tangerine fruit. It’s subtle and graceful, finishing with detailed length. (Dec 2011)"
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