𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈 𝑹𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑲𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒕, 1983

In perfect shape, this Riesling blew my mind. It was alive, mature but still very young with lots of freshness.

The aromas were very expressive and ripe, offering notes of preserved lemon, ripe peach, syruped kumquat, wax, wet stones, old eraser and mild smoke (like the oldschool cap guns with smoke - a little matchstick-like). No extreme petrol.

On the palate, it was medium-bodied, off-dry, highly acidic but very rounded on the edges. Lemon wine gum, lemon zest, a hint of honeycomb (but not sweet), tangerine, ginger sweets and salt in the finish.

Such a pure wine! In love with these +30 years old Rieslings, where the marriage between sweetness and acidity is reaches a unique level.

• “Kabinett” is one of six designated German wine classifications and indicates the lightest style of German wines. The grapes are picked at normal harvest, typically in September when they have ripened, and shows an off-dry style, unless “Trocken” (dry) is mentioned on the label as well, which indicates a longer fermentation leading to less residual sugar content (a drier wine) and a bit higher alcohol.

Behind this label is a story of the great Staatsweingute (state wineries) of Germany, which are owned by the state and works like umbrella wineries, where smaller wineries finished their vinification. This label refers to the old state winery Niederhausen-Schlossböckelheim, founded in 1901, but by the A.P. Nr. on the label (1 750 053/10/84), the 750 refers to the bottler/the specific winemaker, which is Gut Hermannsberg.

Since 2010, the winery has worked under the official name of Gut Hermannsberg. They are also founding members of VDP.

 ⭐️93+/100⭐️ 𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒈 𝑹𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑲𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒕, 1983

Luscious sweet nectar from the cool climate region of Germany. No cancel that last word, I mean’t the cool climate region of the Strathbogie Ranges of Victoria. Easy to get confused.

There is no mucking around this is a sweet Riesling, but its not sickly sweet. Its contained with a balance of freshness and acidity.

But this wine comes into its own when paired with some stinky smelly cheese or a blue vein where the sweetness plays perfectly. It takes the wine to the next level and screams for cheese board…simple…

 Chateau Deux Bauge Strathbogie Ranges Riesling 2020 Rating:

𝑬𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒓𝒖𝒃 “𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆” 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒏, 2018

📍Traben-Trarbach, Mosel, Germany🇩🇪

The wine was decanted a few hours before first test.

Very dark and golden color - probably from the late harvested grapes and the tiny maceration.

The aromas are powerful and delicate, offering ripe pear, lemon peel, beeswax, baked lemon, mild petrol, old eraser, dark honey, lemon wine gum, wet and smoky stones and lees.

On the palate, the wine is rich and creamy (not heavy) with a sick acidity to balance the body. Ripe pomelo, nectarine, lemon peel, a mild green bitterness, lemon verbena, honey (without being sweet) and white wine gum. Very fine minerality, lots of salt and a hint of salmiak in the finish.

• Hand-harvested from the famous and steep Enkircher Ellergrub vineyard

• Naturally fermented in 8-year-old barrique

This is the first Ellergrub “Reserve” wine from Weiser-Künstler, and probably the last for a long time, since it was kind of a (happy) accident. In the very hot vintage of 2018, Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler were waiting and waiting for the humidity causing the botrytis - but it never came. The vines were actually ment to be used for an Ellergrub Auslese, but instead, the overripe and very sweet grapes (still in perfect condition) resulted in a dry Riesling Reserve with high alcohol for its kind.

Konstantin and Alexandra started the winery in 2005, and quickly they were on the lips of the biggest international wine personalities. They farm a little morethan 4 ha of Riesling, all biodynamic and with a low amount of sulfur.

 ⭐️91/100⭐️ 𝑬𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒓𝒖𝒃 “𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆” 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒏, 2018

Cracker of a Riesling from Grosset. Springvale 2018, an awesomely dry mineral driven expression with intense citrus aromatics... bloody lovey! 🍷 ​

 Cracker of a Riesling from Grosset. Springvale 2018, an

I’ve waxed lyrically over the past few months about Aussie Rizza so bear with me for one more post! It’s a bargain variety here!

Vickery produce some serious Riesling, and despite being the entry into their range this Eden Valley example is about as classic as it gets. Pale straw in the glass with fresh limes and lemon rind on the nose. Intense citrus fruit on the palate, very concentrated and crisp, with lively acidity bringing it all together nicely. It’s light, dry, sweet and sour, refreshing and moreish. A candidate for the cellar and who can argue with the price, cheap as chips!

 I’ve waxed lyrically over the past few months about Aussie

Week done and bottle in hand... finally! The bottle?

 1961 Block. Quite simply, it’s a sensational Riesling by any standard, home or away... end of! Love it 🍷🔥

 Week done and bottle in hand... finally! The bottle?

That feeling when you definitely shouldn’t, but you do. My excuse, you don’t see these very often! Straight to the cellar! ⠀

 That feeling when you definitely shouldn’t, but you do. My

It’s astonishes me that Pewsey Vale planted their first vineyard in 1847 and 172 years later they’re still producing their single vineyard Riesling.

Pale straw with green tinges in the glass. Intense citrus notes of grapefruits and limes, with green apple on the nose. The juicy citrus notes continue through the palate and compliment the underlying minerality beautifully. Zesty and fresh acidity with great length to the finish. Very nice! It could easily find a spot in my cellar!

 It’s astonishes me that Pewsey Vale planted their first

Here’s to my hat trick of Riesling posts and a gem of a producer I stumbled across in the Macedon Ranges… Lyons Will Estate.

To date I’ve tried the Gamay and Chardonnay, both beautiful wines, and today the Riesling had its time in the limelight. First off, this is unlike most young Rieslings here in Australia, it’s less racy more luscious, mouthy and perfumed than usual. Fruity, tangy, with a touch of old oak character. Bigger in body, wider in flavour than I was expecting and all the better for it. It’s a super interesting expression of the variety, one I’d love to see with a few years under its belt.

 Here’s to my hat trick of Riesling posts and a gem of a

This has accelerated my love for Tasmanian wine, magnums, and Riesling. Insanely addictive acidity, as if your tucking into a perfectly ripe Granny Smith with flinty goodness chucked in for entertainment. It’s concentrated, powerful really. Mixed citrus fusion with a crispy finish. Total banger! Awesome

 This has accelerated my love for Tasmanian wine, magnums

I’m definitely getting my fill of Riesling this summer and that’s no bad thing. Poonawatta’ “The Eden” single vineyard Riesling light straw in colour with a subtle clean nose of mild citrus and minerals. Floral, highly mineral and bone dry on the palate with green apples and crisp refreshing acidity wrapping it up. Great length and a sense of purity coming through. Great drop!

 I’m definitely getting my fill of Riesling this summer and

Rollick’s Eden Valley Riesling is doing the business tonight. Zesty, crisp, and floral on the nose. Clean, steely, and crisp on the palate and packed with lemons, crisp green apples, fresh acidity and slight mineral notes. B E A U T iful! -

 Rollick’s Eden Valley Riesling is doing the business

Very impressive these whites from Campbells, and the Riesling follows suit perfectly. Fresh lemons, limes, green apples on the nose. Classic Rizza... tastebuds at the ready! The palate’s full of trademark Riesling lemon and lime, fresh acidity, fine tannin and steely minerality. Pretty much everything I ask for in a Riesling… Perfect!

 Very impressive these whites from Campbells, and the

Cracked into this cheeky little Campbells Trebbiano for my Sunday sundowner and it’s hitting the spot very nicely!

Pears, limes, and green apples on the nose. The palate is textural and fresh with plenty of pears and green apples again, peach and wet rock. Lovely crisp and clean acidity joins it all together nicely. All up, a super enjoyable drop! -

 Cracked into this cheeky little Campbells Trebbiano for my

Always a pleasure, never a chore this wine drinking lark and finding new examples, regions expressions is all part of the fun. Tonight it’s the turn of Best’s Great Western Riesling from the Concongella Creek and the Rhymney Vineyard sites, descendants of the original plantings in 1866… loving it already. It’s a concentrated citrus, tangy, acid driven Aussie Riesling that punches well above its weight. Limes, green apples and pears, clean and crisp, steely and mineral on the finish. For a little over $20 this is a bargain.

 Always a pleasure, never a chore this wine drinking lark

Having read the label I’ve succumb to the intrigue. A skin contact, barrel fermented Riesling aged on less? That’s new in my book. Not much of the citrus, zingy, dry, minerals here. This is all about texture, creamy peaches, orange blossom, and stone fruits. Bloody delicious, not like any Rieslings I’ve had before. This is exactly why I love wine, well played Jake!

 Having read the label I’ve succumb to the intrigue. A skin

Having never tried a Gruner Veltliner before I have to say this example from Precious Little Wines in the Adelaide Hills is incredibly enjoyable. Zesty limes, grapefruit, slightly floral with a mineral edge on the nose. Not totally unlike a great dry Riesling on the palate with plenty of citrus zip and zing but with great texture and mouth-feel due to some time in oak. I like it, I like it a lot.

 Having never tried a Gruner Veltliner before I have to say

Two cool climate, slightly maverick, Canberra wines from Jacob Carter’s Sholto Wines added to the Xmas tasting line up! Based upon what I’ve read / hear about this cool climate Shiraz and this skin contact, barrel fermented, aged on lees Riesling I don’t think these will last the week… But let’s see!

 Two cool climate, slightly maverick, Canberra wines from

Fine, fresh, Fiano. Crisp citrus, green herbs, and steely minerality. First Fiano and it’s bloody great 🍷🙏🙌

 Fine, fresh, Fiano. Crisp citrus, green herbs, and steely

Cheeky Tuesday night BBQ complete with a cracking Riesling from Rollick Wines. The Eden Valley fruit punches out zippy green apples and zesty lime on the nose with hints of blossom. Steely clean and intense citrus flavours on the palate, mouth-wateringly satisfying minerality, and beautiful crispness. Riesling is rapidly becoming bit of a favourite! -

 Cheeky Tuesday night BBQ complete with a cracking Riesling

For me it’s definitely up there, no doubt about it. On its day possibly untouchable....but, I’d love to know your choice or choices as I’m developing quite a love for Aussie Rieslings! -

 Australia’s greatest Riesling? For me it’s definitely up

Here’s another stunner to support my theory that Riesling is the best value premium variety here in Aus. Quin Wines Eden Valley Riesling, simply put, is a stunner. Intensely concentrated tropical and citrus fruits on the nose. Awesome depth of flavour on the palate expansive and broad zesty citrus and tropical fruits, crisp acidity, and dry textural finish. Incredibly drinkable! A serious Riesling.

 Here’s another stunner to support my theory that Riesling

1995 Dr. Loosen - Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese (93 pts)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Riesling from the vineyard of Erdener Prälat in the Mosel, Germany. This vineyard is 1.6 hectares in size with steep south-facing slopes (45°). These old vines grow in red slate soils.

👃 Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of petrol, dried apricot, dried mango, canned peach, ripe pineapple, orange peel, quince paste, saffron, candied ginger, and high-end honey.

👄 The wine is medium-sweet, high acidity, low alcohol (7.5%), and medium body. Initially, a touch of spritz on the tip of the tongue, but that faded after being open. A long length finish of dried apricot, quince paste, and saffron.

🔔  The Erdener Prälat wines are always so expressive and powerful. They need age to tame the fruitiness of the wine. The petrol was very obvious when first opened but faded after a few hours. The wine is ripe with a healthy amount of residual sugar (~100 g/l) but stays in complete balance all the way through the lengthy finish. I love the kaleidoscope of fruit aromas combined with the right mix of Botrytis flavors (saffron, ginger, and honey). At 25 years old, this wine still has a long life ahead of it.

 1995 Dr. Loosen - Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese (93 pts)

Interview with Ernst "Erni" Loosen proprietor of Dr. Loosen. We discussed four wines: two dry and two fruity. The first pair was a comparison of Blue Slate (Kabinett) and Red Slate (Dry) soil types. The second pair were from the same single vineyard Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Spätlese, and GG. We discussed ungrafted vines, 🍇 hang time, lees aging, and neutral oak aging the wines.

 Interview with Ernst "Erni" Loosen proprietor of Dr

2015 Clemens Busch - Riesling Vom Grauen Schiefer (86 pts)

ℹ️ Clemens Busch is based in the Mosel. The majority of his vines are grown on a hillside called Marienburg facing the town of Pünderich. He makes two Cuvees from this site that highlight they grey slate (vom grauen Schiefer) and red slate (vom roten Schiefer). Bottle capsule color (red, grey, blue) dictates the soil type. Terroir focused to say the least with minimal intervention. They practice Biodynamic farming·

👃 Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of wet rock, flint, steelie, yellow apple, Meyer lemon, lemon zest, acacia, and quince·

👄 The wine is dry, high enamel destroying acidity, medium- alcohol, and light body. Medium+ intensity on the palate. This is tart, very tart! The palate is lemon zest, raw quince, and yellow apple skins. There is chalky texture and then an extremely mineral wet rock and slate note that dominates the medium length finish. ·

🔔 This wine is clearly not for everyone due to the ripping acidity. I probably like rocks and acid more than the average drinker. 2015 is a ripe year, but there is no suppleness here. This is straight up citrus zesters and laser beams ☄️. Served too cold and the acidity is austere, but a tad warmer than cellar temp and it eases off a bit. Time should help mellow it·

 2015 Clemens Busch - Riesling Vom Grauen Schiefer (86 pts)

1984 Peter Lauer - Riesling Sekt Réserve

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Riesling from the Saar sub-region of the Mosel, Germany. The fruit comes from the Ayler Kupp Vineyard (80%) and the Ayler Scheidterberg Vineyard (20%). Sekt is a sparkling wine using the traditional method or tank method. This bottle is labeled "flaschengärung handgerüttelt" which means it is bottle fermented (traditional method) and hand riddled. The Réserve bottlings are late disgorged bottles with at least 20 years of lees aging before release. This bottle was disgorged in November 2017. This wine has a low dosage of 4 g/l using sweet Riesling instead of sugar.

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of apple cider, dried apple, dried apricot, cigar tobacco, hay, wilting flowers, and anise.

👄 The wine is dry, high lively acidity, low alcohol (9.5%), and medium- body. The bubbles are almost non-existent except on the tip of the tongue. Due to the prolonged lees aging, there is a slight caramel or coffee note on the palate. A medium length finish of dried orchard fruit, hay, and anise.

🔔 Wine Geek Warning ⚠️ This wine is the oldest Sekt that I have ever tried, and I don't exactly know what to think of it. The flavor profile is unique, with dried cigar, hay, and anise flavors showing up on a Riesling. It has a fair amount of complexity to it but feels like it has a bit more than one foot in the grave. I would need to explore more bottles to form a clear opinion, but this nothing like old Champagne nor young Sekt wines. If you have tried one of these, I would love to hear your thoughts. It sparked some curiosity. 🧠💭

 1984 Peter Lauer - Riesling Sekt Réserve @lauerwine ℹ️ This

Blind Tasting - Double Blind. The Huet demi-sec was easy to detect and wonderful to drink. The Wittman Rheinhessen riesling was interesting with a ripping acidity. Darioush Chard was slathered in oak, but still enjoyable. I clearly do not drink enough Australia 2.0 wines as I was blown away by the quality of the John Duval Grenache and dumbfounded by origin. Felton Road Pinot Noir with spices, clearly new world and high pedigree. Tablas Creek Syrah was so different than what I would have imagined and I never would have guessed the origin.

 Blind Tasting - Double Blind. The Huet demi-sec was easy to

1997 Dr. Loosen -  Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese (94 points)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Riesling from the Mosel wine region of Germany. The grapes come from the "spice garden" vineyard from the town of Ürzig. The vines grow on red slate soils, and the average age was around 40 years old in 1997. This wine is a late release from the winery. These wines were aged in large fuder barrels on the lees for 20 months. The wine has 46.8 g/l of residual sugar with 8.4 g/l of total acidity.

👃 Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe yellow peach, apple skin, nectarine, green papaya, grapefruit pith, dried lemon, dried pear, dried currant, and orange blossoms.

👄 The wine is medium-dry, high acidity, low alcohol (8.0%), and medium- body. Loads of delicate filigree on the palate. A medium+ length finish of citrus zest, peach skin, and wet stone.

🔔 The lyric "They just don't make 'em like you anymore" comes to mind when drinking this wine. Modern Spätlese wines just seem to be more robust. Honestly, many Kabinett wines these days have this much residual sugar. The residual sugar has toned down with time and highlights the acid backbone driving the wine. The 1997 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese was a late release in 2018 and is full of energy. It is not exactly clear to me how to know that this is a late-release bottle with extended lees aging, but if you can get your hands on these, they are totally worth it.

 1997 Dr. Loosen -  Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese (94

Dr. Loosen Virtual Tasting and Interview with Ernst Loosen

🎙 Join my Instagram Live interview with Ernst Loosen, Proprietor of Dr. Loosen

.loosen on Thursday, March 4th, at 9:00 am PST / 6:00 pm CET. Ernst and I will focus the discussion on the age-ability of German Riesling. The magic of the "fruity" wines of the Mosel is their ability to age for decades. We will look at Ürziger Würzgarten (The spice garden of Ürzig) Riesling Spätlese across three decades in a mini-vertical tasting. Additionally, we will discuss how the style of the wines has evolved over the decades.

🍷 We will taste 1997, 2007, and 2019  Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese. Please join our Instagram Live and participate in the conversation. Don't forget to click the reminder in the stories.

 Dr. Loosen Virtual Tasting and Interview with Ernst Loosen

2017 Dr. Loosen - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese (91 points)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Riesling from the Mosel wine region of Germany. The grapes come from the "sundial" vineyard from the town of Wehlen. The vines grow on Blue Devonian Slate soils, and the average age is over 60 years old on original rootstock. The grapes are hand-picked with a cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks and Fuder barrels. Half the fermentation is with natives yeast and the other half with cultured yeasts. The fermentation is halted by chilling, preserving the residual sugar. The wine has 57 g/l of residual sugar with 8.5 g/l of total acidity.

👃 Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe yellow peach, apricot, red apple, melon, candied orange, honeysuckle, and steely.

👄 The wine is medium-sweet, high acidity, low alcohol (7.5%), and medium body. A medium+ length finish of ripe stone fruit, red apple, and steely.

🔔 This bottle Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese has all the components to be a delicious wine in time. Right now, it is overtly fruit-forward, and even with 8.5 g/l of total acidity, it is hard to overcome the residual sugar at the moment. This is a simple exercise in patience. Spätlese is one of my favorite levels of fruity Pradikat wines of the Mosel, but I prefer them with 10-12 years of bottle age. For young Pradikat wines, I am more of a Kabinett drinker and don't miss out on those GG wines either (see previous post).

 2017 Dr. Loosen - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese (91

2017 Dr. Loosen - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses Gewächs Alte Reben (93 points)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Riesling from the Mosel wine region of Germany. The grapes come from the "sundial" vineyard from the town of Wehlen. The vines grow on Blue Devonian Slate soils, and the average age is over 100 years old on original rootstock. The grapes are hand-picked with native yeast fermentation in neutral oak casks. The wine is kept on the full lees for a year without bâtonnage before being bottled.  The wine has 8.7 g/l of residual sugar with 7.4 g/l of total acidity.

👃 Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of key lime, lemon sorbet, lemon zest, kiwi, grapefruit pith, orange blossom, honeysuckle, wet rock, and lemongrass.

👄 The wine is dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. This wine shows excellent texture and heft on the palate. A long length finish of citrus, especially lime, florals, and flint.

🔔 When I think of Dr. Loosen, my thoughts gravitate towards the fruity Pradikat wines of the Mosel, but after tasting this, Wehlener Sonnenuhr Grosses Gewächs, I now have to consider their high-end dry wines. This bottle was eye-opening, from the open and charming nose to the depth and weight on the palate. The length on the finish highlights ripe key lime and flint as if being carried out by a laser beam of acidity. This wine is utterly mouthwatering and such a pleasure to drink. My only complaint is that it was consumed too young. This GG will continue to improve with additional cellaring and I would wait at least 5 more years to get the full picture of what this wine has to offer.

 2017 Dr. Loosen - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses

1971 Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Trier - Serriger Heiligenborn Riesling Spätlese (90 pts)

❓What was the last wine you tasted that was over the hill❓·

ℹ️ Tasted blind at a German winetasting. 1971 is a legendary vintage and many of the wines I have tasted from that vintage have blown me away. This wine was clearly past it's prime, but was still charming. A few months back I tasted a different vineyard from the same producer. It was a 1975 and Auslese·

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of mushroom, leather, all spice, clove, dried apple, and persimmon·

👄 The wine is medium-dry, high acidity, low alcohol, and medium- body. When you taste it you realize that the sugar flavors have morphed into something totally different. Tasting formerly sweet wines is quite interesting. A lot of spice on this wine that came to life with food. Medium- length finish·

🔔 I am sure that 5-10 years ago this was excellent. While interesting and complex, this would not be everyone's cup of tea. I think if this wine was an Auslese or higher this may have faired better·