Wine from Germany

Bastgen Berncastel-Cueser Weisenstein Riesling Spatlese Trocken is made from 100 percent Riesling.

Bright, clean, fresh and zesty. Grapefruit like flavors. Fruity aromas and a nice minerality, typical of the Riesling grape grown on blue slate soil. Round, rich and a very long finish. The grapes for this wine are vigorously selected. Botrytis is not tolerated. At harvest the grapes are fully ripened, have a golden color, and a soft tartness. After a long spontaneous fermentation in a traditional 1000L barrel, the wine just reaches the dry stage. This gives the wine a creamy structure that interplays with ripe yellow and exotic fruit aromas.

They meticulously tend 4.5 ha (11.11 acres) of which 80% is Riesling. The soil is made of slate. Their vineyards are located in Kesten and Brauneberg, on a steep terrace, and planted to 50-year old vines. Fortunately for Bastgen, they own part of the famous Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr. The vines produce very small, ripe berries that are very tasty.

Delicious Riesling, exotic and mineral, concentrated aromas and flavors of pear, pineapple and honey.
Grapes come from Brauneberger Juffer and Juffer-Sonnenuhr - one of the most prestigious vineyards in the Mosel winegrowing region. The vineyard faces south and provides the best conditions for growing Riesling.

The grapes were planted in 1990.
Aging for 6 months in large oak barrels.
Filtration.

Pairs well with dessert and cheese.

Review:

"The 2015 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese boasts a big, sweet, full-bodied style that nevertheless stays clean and nicely balanced. Showing lots of sugared citrus, quince, mint, and hints of diesel fumes, it shines for this mid-palate depth, has terrific balance between its acidity and sugar, and offers a great finish. This cuvée comes from vines planted in 1990 and was brought up all in large oak barrels."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 92 pts

Dr. Leimbrock Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 1995 (half-bottle) is made from 100 percent Riesling.

Grapes come from Juffer-Sonnenuhr - one of the most prestigious vineyards in the Mosel winegrowing region. The vineyard faces south and provides the best conditions for growing Riesling.

delicious with exotic and candied fruit, flavors of date, honey and caramel, full-bodied Auslese with very concentrated aromas of apricot and dried fruits. With the ageing process, the dried fruit aroma is even more exuberant and charming.

Dr. Leimbrock Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese Feinherb is made from 100 percent Riesling 

Aged in large oak barrels for 6 months

The Graacher Himmelreich vineyard has an excellent southwestern exposure. The cultivation of the vine is done by the classic single pile education.

Harmonious and fruity with aromas of exotic fruit, peach and green apple, candied fruits and hints of honey. Delicate, juicy with well integrated acidity, full-bodied and an attractive finish.

Classic large oak barrel, cultured yeast.

Pairs well with Asian cuisine, Mediterranean vegetables with raw ham, spicy dishes.

Review:

- Wine Enthusiast (April 2021), 91 pts

Dr. Loosen Erdener Pralat Alte Reben Riesling Grosses Gewachs is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

Erni Loosen has quickly established himself as one the premier GG producers in the Mosel Valley. This Erdener Pralat GG Reserve is sourced from a 90-year-old parcel, is meticulously hand-picked, fermented bone dry from immaculate, botrytis-free fruit. It is fermented and aged in neutral oak, and garners it reserve status by being aged for 24 months on the lees, then spends another two years in bottle before release. Erdener Pralat is Loosen’s finest vineyard and this wine has it all: Majestic aromas and flavors of orange marmalade, dried apricot, kiwi, pink grapefruit, beeswax and wet stone. Extraordinary creamy texture from the extended lees aging leads to a medium-bodied elixir with a long, persistent finish.

This is serious juice and can stand up to highly seasoned chicken, pork and seafood dishes.

Reviews:

The 2014 Erdener Prälat Riesling GG Réserve Alte Reben is clear, refined and aromatic on the precise, delicate and highly finessed nose that indicates ripe and elegant Riesling fruit with very fine red slate aromas. Full-bodied yet filigreed, crystalline and salty on the palate, this is a powerful, intense and rich yet refined and stimulatingly salty Prälat based on entirely healthy grapes. The finish is very long, intense and powerful yet remains crystalline and stimulating and still asks us to be patient: The best is yet to come. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

-Wine Advocate 96 Points

A masterpiece for this difficult vintage. Stunning aromas of tree fruits. Very concentrated, creamy and polished but not a jot too heavy. This wine impresses all the way through the very long and silky finish.

-James Suckling 96 Points

Gessinger Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Alte Reben Caldo Infernale made from 100 percent Riesling.

Typical Devonian slate Riesling with fruity elegance and great durability. Big and rich wine with ripe peach and pear on the nose, honeyed, citrus and mineral aromas. Clean and pure, distinctive character. Very long finish.

Review:

"I loved the 2015, and the 2017 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Alte Reben Caldo Infernale is even better, offering a lush, rich, yet still vibrant style as well as gorgeous notes of honeyed nectarines, candied orange, peach, and exotic flowers. It packs plenty of sweetness and is medium to full-bodied, with solid acidity and a kiss of petrol and mineral nuances keeping it lively and fresh."

- Jeb Dunnuck (August 2020), 93 pts

A very fine bubbles along with a very nice fruit (apple, pear, citrus) and minerality coming from the stony (slate) vineyards.

Production techniques: the Sekt is bottle fermented, stayed on the lees for 12 months, thus giving it very fine bubbles along with a very nice fruit and minerality. The vineyard sites are Bernkasteler Graben, Bernkasteler Badstube, Bernkasteler Bratenhöfchen, Graacher Himmelreich. The vineyards are situated at the beginning of a long stretch of approx. 2 million vines.

Maringer-Reif Piesporter Michelsberg (liter) is 100 percent Riesling.

A beautiful wine with delicate perfumed aromas. Medium bodied, well balanced, filled with peaches and green apples, crisp and fresh acidity.

QBA stands for "Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete", which means that the wine comes from one of the 13 designated wine regions.

Ideal by itself or to complement a variety of meat and seafood dishes.

Matheus Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

This Goldtröpfchen ranks as an unofficial "Grand Cru" delivering light floral and fresh Kabinett style wines.
Their later harvest wines, Spatlese and Auslese, tend toward apricot flavors, honeyed notes and superb intensity. All grapes are grown on Devonian slate.

Enjoy with slightly spiced sushi or moderately spicy Indian cuisine such as chicken Vindaloo.

Matheus Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

QBA stands for "Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete", which means that the wine comes from one of the 13 designated wine regions.

A beautiful wine with delicate perfumed aromas. Medium bodied, well balanced, filled with peaches and green apples, crisp and fresh acidity.

SALE!

Weinkeller Erbach Riesling (liter) is 100 percent Riesling. 

Round and refreshing wine with light touches of lemon and lime on the nose. Slightly sweet mouthfeel, with juicy and fruity flavors.

Weller-Lehnert Piesporter Domherr Grosses Gewachs Riesling is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

Made in accordance with the stringent production criteria of the classification of the Bernkasteler Ring, wines with the designation “Grosses Gewächs Bernkasteler Ring” represent the premium line of the association’s dry wines. These Grand Crus can only come from the best sites of the steep slopes and are distinguished by their exceptional aging potential. To be awarded the status of “Grosses Gewächs”, selective hand-harvesting, a restriction of yields to 50 hl/ha and the passing of a stringent sensory examination by a highly qualified professional panel are required.

Review:

- Wine Enthusiast (July 2021), 91 pts

Weller-Lehnert Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

Weller-Lehnert Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese is made from Estate grown grapes planted on south-facing steep slopes. It is fresh and mineral with inviting yellow fruit aromas. Elegant, full-bodied and intensely concentrated with bright fruit flavors and fine acidity lingering on the finish.

Review:

- Wine Enthusiast (April 2021), 93 pts

Winzer von Erbach Riesling Eiswein is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

The Eiswein has aromas of concentrated yellow fruit and a fruity sweetness. It's a high end product with a very long aging potential.
The grapes were picked frozen which resulted in a concentration of sugar, acidity and aromas and a low yield.

Pairs with blue cheese, fois gras, French apple cake.

Honeyed style, rich minerality and luscious creaminess. Flavors of baked pineapple and pear. Fresh and juicy on the finish.

From the famous Erbacher Honigberg vineyard. Average of the vines is 20 years old. 

Cool fermentation, matured on the lees for 2 months before bottling, with a slight filtration.

Riesling Rheingau Erbacher Honigberg Spatlese goes well with Indian Curry and blue Cheese

Wolfberger Alsace Edelzwicker is made from 40 % Pinot Blanc, 30% Riesling, 15% Gewurztraminer and 15 % Muscat

Edelzwicker has a nose of grilled almonds and walnuts, with a light floral hint following. The first sip shows its true character: fresh and lemony with vegetal, herbaceous flavor. It is round and easy drinking, not overpowering and finishes clean.

Each grape variety is harvested individually in early or mid-October on the most suitable date for each vineyard.

It is a good companion for food without ever dominating it. In Alsace it is served by the glass or in large jugs to partner regional specialties. In general Edelzwicker goes well with fresh salads, cold or warm starters, but also with oysters, mussels and seafood. It should always be served chilled, around 10 ° C.