The Flonheimer Estate
The winegrower's association 'Weinkeller Erbach' has long been known as a producer of fruity, spritsy wines in the Rheingau. In 2010 they took to the west, crossed the Rhein-river into Rheinhessen and started looking out for a vineyard that was able to provide high-quality Silvaner grapes. Eventually they found what they were looking for in the 'Flonheimer Adelberg'. Here, under the close cooperation and scrutiny of cellarmaster Jochen Bug a floral and aromatic Silvaner is being produced.
The Flonheimer Vineyard
The soil of the vineyard Flonheimer Adelberg consists of sandy loess and loam. Its total size is 130 hectares (325 acres). Here the annual rainfalls are low, the summers are warm and the winters mild. These are perfect conditions for growing wine. The name 'Adelberg' derives from the nobility of the quality of the wine. Literally it means 'noble hill'.
Silvaner is one of the most important grape varieties of the winegrowing region of Rheinhessen and also one of the oldest. First documented in 1659 it now comprises of almost 2,500 hectares (6250 acres) in Rheinhessen, making Rheinhessen the biggest winegrowing region of this variety not only in Germany, but also in the world. Being one of the oldest grape-varieties that is still being cultivated today, it is assumed, that the Silvaner-grape originally came from the Danube-river region of Romania. The roman writer 'Gaius Plinius Secundus' described in his book 'Naturalis Historia' a grape variety, that it has similar characteristics as the Silvaner.
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It is hard to imagine with the Lithology range receiving 298 points out of 300 for the three single-vineyard wines, that there could possibly be a wine above them. But there is, and it is our Estate wine. Blended several times very intently by masters of their craft Philippe Melka and Michel Rolland, this is the ultimate expression of our house’s work. Positive, full-bodied, and quite powerful, there’s the expected crème de cassis and blackberry from St. Helena Cabernets, with mineral, herb, subtle tobacco and vanilla, plum skins, and pie crust, purple flowers, forest-conifer notes, and very fine tannic structure. It is a magnificent, and magnificently elegant expression of this house, and when asked recently, Monsieur Rolland stated plainly to me, “oh yes indeed – this is the best one, the best yet…”
Review:
The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Alejandro Bulgheroni comes from a selection made by winemakers Philippe Melka and Michel Rolland, mostly from Rutherford and Oakville fruit. Aged 20 months in 78% new French oak, it has incredible aromatics of black and blue fruits, spring flowers, and graphite to go with a massive, full-bodied, concentrated style on the palate that somehow stays graceful, weightless, and elegant. This tour de force in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is guaranteed to put a smile on your face over the coming 20-25+ years.
-Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points
J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Petit Verdot 1% Malbec 1% Cabernet Franc.
Dense and soft with elegant layers of black cherry, currants, and toasted pastry.
Delicious with rosemary-seasoned ribeye and garlic roasted potatoes with parsnips and fennel.
Review:
The Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Caber- net Franc grapes in this wine were grown in gravelly, lime-laden soils at an elevation of 1,700 feet. Once drawn in by its immediate perfume of dark chocolate and blueberry preserves as well as its silky, plush, mouth-coating texture, you're treated to waves of milk chocolate covered boysenberry. Nutmeg-dusted cedar and dried violets flash across the palate, leaving behind a slightly chalky finish
-Tasting Panel 93 Points