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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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$21.95
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JG 93
FWR 92
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $27.00
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93 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2011 Leistenberg is really a very classic example of Kabinett this year. The deep, pure and vibrant nose offers up a very floral mélange of apple, tart orange, complex slate tones, petrol, orange blossoms and lilacs. On the palate the wine is medium-full, crisp and lively, with lovely filigree, fine mid-palate intensity, snappy acids and superb length and grip on the dancing finish. A lovely, lovely Kabinett. 2012-2030. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
92 points Fine Wine Review: "The Oberhäuser Leistenberg Kabinett is from vines that are about 35-40 years old. The wine is mineral, tight, and focused with good, ripe acidity, finesse, depth, and nervosity. 10% stated alcohol. (Issue #138; 2013)"
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$129.95
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JG 94
FWR 94
WA 93
Germany
In stock,
1
available
|
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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$29.85
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FWR 94
WA 94
WS 93
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $40.00
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94+ points Fine Wine Review: "The Norheimer Kirschheck Spätlese is entirely on slate soils. It features a nose that is beautiful for its pure floral and mineral elements. The mouth is nervy, pure, and balanced with green apple and mineral flavors, enlivening acidity, a crystalline quality, and excellent length. 8.5% stated alcohol. (Issue #138; 2013)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "Very minerally and creamy, with plush flavors of ripe apricot, pear and spice. Enticing mint and white cherry notes linger with ginger. The lively finish features chive and candied basil accents. Drink now through 2028. 66 cases imported. (2/28/13)"
93 points Wine & Spirits: "[$40 list] Four days after opening, this wine was still going strong, plush enough to match the fat gilding a slice of smoked duck breast and direct enough to cut right through it. Its mouthwatering minerality is as smooth as the slate in this vineyard, with light herbal notes that give extra lift to the cherry pit and peach flesh flavor. (Dec 2012)"
92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2011 Kirschheck Spätlese is another absolute classic in the making. The very pure and lively nose delivers a fine blend of white cherries, white peach, slate, petrol, spring flowers and bee pollen. On the palate the wine is medium-full, crisp and beautifully balanced, with zest acidity, a lovely core of fruit, fine focus and a very long, very minerally finish. This is light on its feet as the best vintages of Kirschheck often can be, but with beautiful purity and depth in the mid-palate. Again, a very classically-sized Spätlese. 2012-2030+. (Mar/Apr 2012)"
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$17.95
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FWR 91
JG 90
Germany
In stock,
1
available
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91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Saarburger feinherb has the smoky slate nose typical of Rausch. The mouth is crystalline and tempting for the combination of melon and slate flavors and a juicy texture. 10.5% stated alcohol. (Issue #138; 2013)"
90+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2011 Saarburger Feinherb is truly exceptional for its level and will be one of the great steals in the Zilliken portfolio this year. The wine weighs in at 10.5 percent alcohol, so a full point lower than its comparable Trocken bottling in this vintage. The very bright and minerally nose offers up a fine mélange of pink grapefruit, orange zest, lovely, slate-derived minerality, wild yeasts and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is medium-full, crisp and complex, with beautiful interplay between minerality, fruit and the faint stirrings of residual sweetness. The wine displays excellent mid-palate depth, ripe acids and very fine length and grip on the focused and vibrant finish. Fine juice. 2012-2025+. (Mar/Apr 2010)"
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$19.95
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WS 90
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $32.00
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$32 list] There's plenty of orange flavor from the get-go, with ruby grapefruit and stone notes adding interest. Needs a few years to integrate the acidity, which gives this a racy impression overall. Fine length. Best from 2012 through 2021. 300 cases made. (2/28/10)"
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$17.95
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FWR 91
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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91 points Fine Wine Review: "The Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Quartzit, from quartzite soils, is lightly sweet, pure, and airy with grapefruit flavors, minerality, and some floral overtones -- a lovely wine. (Issue #138; 2013)"
Terry Theise: "(barely discernable sweetness) SOMMELIER ALERT! CORE-LIST WINE. Back to the roots, with RS in the high-30s, so if this has been tempting but too sweet for you, look again. Cucumber and dill, salty and tangy, roses and rhubarb; works basically Feinherb; cox-orange pippins and vanilla powder, but dense and dryish."
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$32.95
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FWR 92
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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92 points Fine Wine Review: "Last, the Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Spätlese is rounder and richer (2-3% botrytis here), but still with Nahe restraint and elegance, and good acidity. Pomegranate fruit here. The vineyard is on quartzite soils at more than 1050 feet (300 m) elevation. (Issue #138; 2013)"
Terry Theise: "(discernable but not obtrusive sweetness) Utter mirabelle, and a lovely tug of warm and cool elements; apple sautéed in butter with cinnamon and clove, yet also a balsam-y limey shady deep-greenness -- but above all it’s a wine of celestial fruit."
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$94.95
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WS 93
Germany
In stock,
2
available
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List $144.00
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93 points Wine Spectator: "A luscious BA, nectarlike yet well-balanced by tangy acidity, setting the stage for clean, pure flavors of apricot and honey. Lovely finish, too. Drink now through 2009. 40 cases made."
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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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$43.95
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IWC 93
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $49.00
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93 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "[$49 list] Wild aromas of white peach, cinnamon and lemon oil. Delicately sweet passion fruit flavor nicely supported by bracing saline minerality. A note of bacony spice animates the tangy finish. One of the finest off-dry rieslings of the vintage. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
Terry Theise: "(no discernable sweetness) SOMMELIER ALERT! This is the old vines from Kaisersteinfels, and it doesn’t say 'Trocken' because it missed the criteria by a few grams of RS. But the last few vintages it’s been one of the world’s most splendid and compelling dry Rieslings -- and I mean dry as a wine tastes, not as it’s categorized by a bureaucrat. For I find this to be the perfect stone and lime-driven dry wine, insanely complex, wolfishly delicious.'"
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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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$39.95
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FWR 94
WS 90
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $50.00
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94+ points Fine Wine Review: "The Erdener Prälat Auslese has some botrytis, but not a lot. The nose shows complex floral aromas. There is good acidity here that provides lift to the intense apply fruit and the sugar is in balance. Excellent length here. 8.0% stated alcohol. (Issue #138; 2013)"
90 points Wine Spectator: "[$50 list] Ripe and juicy, with concentrated savory herbal notes to the ripe peach, cherry and berry flavors. Finishes with notes of spice and cream. Drink now through 2036. 150 cases made. (4/30/13)"
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$11.95
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WS 90
FWR 90
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points Wine Spectator: "[$17 list] Fresh and racy, this features firm minerality and flavors of ripe apricot, baked pear and guava. Lush midpalate, finishing with notes of clove and hints of basil. Expressive. Drink now through 2018. Smart Buys. (4/30/13)"
90 points Fine Wine Review: "The QbA Riesling also is floral in the nose. The body is medium-weight and round with sweetness, some softness and apple-strawberry fruit of medium length. This wine doesn’t have the distinction of the others here, but it is plenty satisfying at a modest price point. (Issue #138; 2013)"
Producer notes: "Wine growing dates back to 1177 at the Mönchhof. The Eymael family purchased the estate and its vineyards from Napoleon Bonaparte on September 28th, 1804. This bottling of Mönchhof '11' Riesling commemorates both the purchase of the Mönchhof from Napoleon and time of day when the sale was completed, at 11 a.m. Today, owner and winemaker Robert Eymael's focus is producing world-class Riesling wines. This drier style Mönchhof Riesling '11' is extremely food friendly and pairs well with a wide variety of dishes, such as seafood, poultry, pastas and salads."
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$35.95
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IWC 92
WS 91
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $48.00
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92 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "Bright peach, acacia blossom and lime on the nose. The high-toned pit fruit flavors and vibrant minerality provide lift to the wine's succulent texture. Long finish of nut oils and mineral salts. Still a bit closed, but showing excellent length and fine potential, this is by far the more aristocratic of the two Grosses Gewachs this year. (Jan/Feb 2013)"
91 points Wine Spectator: "[$48 list] This displays citrus, apple and spice flavors that are focused, crunchy and rich. Shows a strong savory character, with plenty of slate and sea salt notes filling the finish. Drink now through 2018. 180 cases made. (4/30/13)"
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$23.95
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IWC 90
Germany
In stock,
3
available
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List $31.00
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90 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "[$31 list] Subtle bouquet of white peach, blackcurrant and sage. Glossy papaya flavor with an understated acidity on the palate. The satisfying finish features an herbal nuance and a touch of slate. (Jan/Feb 2009)"
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$9.95
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WS 90
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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90 points Wine Spectator: "Reveals a mineral-infused aroma, with fine balance to the pineapple, guava and ripe nectarine flavors that linger with notes of honey and spice. The plush finish is creamy and rich. Drink now through 2018. (5/31/13)"
Producer notes: "Features vibrant notes of green apple, pear, Meyer lemon and fine minerals laced with aromatic honeysuckle and orange blossom. The Mosel Riesling is a refreshing aperitif that also pairs well with diverse flavors, including Asian and Indian cuisine. Alcohol 10.5%."
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$24.95
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FWR 94
WS 92
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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94 points Fine Wine Review: "The Graacher Domprobst Kabinett #3 is less spicy in its nose than the #16 and the slate aromas are still more pure. The mouth is deeper and denser than that of the #16, but there is still lightness, some spice, and some elegance here along with Graacher green fruit, crispness, and saltiness. 8.0% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 03 12. (Issue #138; 2013)"
92 points Wine Spectator: "Powerfully crisp, with fresh and juicy lemon cake, green apple and citrus flavors. Hints of sage show on the snappy finish, which features plenty of mineral notes. Drink now through 2024. 125 cases imported. (2012)"
Terry Theise: "(barely discernible sweetness) SOMMELIER ALERT! The pistachio side of Domprobst, but focused to a point so fine it’s like you took a laser pointer to the terroir, and yet it’s limpid and lapidary and shady. Amazing."
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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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$22.95
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FWR 93
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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93 points Fine Wine Review: "Moving to the fruity-style wines, the Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett is flowery in the nose. The mouth is light, pure, and lightly sweet. The wine is intense in its minerality but so elegant and with mouthwatering acidity. 8.0% stated alcohol. (Issue #138; 2013)"
Terry Theise: "(discernible but not obtrusive sweetness) A taut, tight wine for this site (whose wines are normally more pliant and granular), but oh how adorable and pure, lighter than the last few vintages; a 'plus' for the incredibly focused fruit aromas and the monastic chanting articulation of slate on the finish. Gabe Clary writes: 'This is the +++ version of the QBA. Ripe green aromas, tarragon and peach skin, red Anjou pear and a delicate florality, wisteria and sweet pea. This was as close as I’ve come to having a religious experience while tasting. Each wine seemed to build on the previous one, and a powerful narrative strand wound its way through each wine, connecting them all. When we finally reached the BA I had run out of words. And there was Christoph sitting next to me, smiling and humble. When we finished I was sort of emotionally wiped. These wines are so intellectually and emotionally powerful for me.""
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$44.95
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FWR 94
Germany
In stock,
8
available
|
List $70.00
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94 points Fine Wine Review: "[$70/375ml list] The Bockenauer Felseneck Ausl is bright, mineral and acidity with orange and strawberry aromas and flavors. Give this wine some time to develop, but it is most promising. (Issue #97; 2003)"
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$18.95
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WS 92
FWR 91
Germany
In stock,
9
available
|
List $27.00
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92 points Wine Spectator: "Displays plenty of orange and nectarine aromas and flavors, with spice notes to match. Lime and slate flavors emerge by the finish, making this complex, layered and concentrated. Still, this stays light and fresh. Drink now through 2022. 500 cases made. (2010)"
91 points Fine Wine Review: "...the Bockenauer Kabinett is from the Felseneck, and along with the estate Riesling, was the earliest to be harvested. The wine shows good acidity and minerality with succulence, purity, and zippiness. 7.5% stated alcohol. (Issue #127; 2010)"
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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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$29.95
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WS 92
FWR 91
WA 90
Germany
In stock,
4
available
|
List $36.00
|
92 points Wine Spectator: "[$36 list] The lush texture, as well as peach and apricot aromas and flavors, gets lift from the refined, vibrant structure. This is elegant, hinting at anise and mineral on the long, savory finish. Best from 2013 through 2030. 300 cases made. (11/15/10)"
91+ points Fine Wine Review: "I find the Serrig Schloss Saarsteiner Spätlese a little sweet for drinking now, but with the balance this wine has and its steely lime fruit, it should mature into a most attractive wine with 8-10 years’ aging. It is medium-light and firm on the texture with quite a bit of depth. 8.0% stated alcohol. (Issues 131 & 132; 2011)"
90 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$36 list] From a mixture of vines younger than those that informed its two drier Spatlese siblings, the 2009 Serriger Schloss Saarstein Riesling Spatlese evinces scents and succulently juicy palate presence of nectarine, lime, and Persian melon on a seductively creamily-textured palate, complimented by hints of salted caramel and nut oils. At only 8% alcohol, it certainly boasts levity, but also prominent sweetness. I suspect this will show well for at least two decades, and as its sense of sweetness gradually backs off -- though don't expect a noticeable change for at least ten years -- further nuances may well be revealed. (Jan 2011)"
Producer notes: "A racy and elegant wine. Clear and fine, bouquet of citrus, pineapple, black currant and dry apple. Fresh and elegant acidity. Alcohol: 8.0%. Acidity: 0.84% (8.4 g/l). Residual sugar: 7.49% (74.9 g/l)."
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$49.95
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WS 93
IWC 91
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
|
List $62.00
|
93 points Wine Spectator: "This is dry, yet ripe and rich, boasting pineapple and apple flavors on a juicy frame, with a touch of peppery greens. It's all beautifully balanced and lingers on the aftertaste. Drink now through 2023. 300 cases made. (4/30/11)"
91 points Joel B. Payne (International Wine Cellar): "[$62 list] Apricot pit, honeysuckle and pine nuts on the nose. The luscious passion fruit flavor is held in check by the wine's crisp, saline acidity. Juicy and dynamic on the long, complex finish. (Jan/Feb 2011)"
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