Weingut Emrich-Schonleber "Lenz" Riesling 2010

This little district in German is situated along the Nahe river and would have to be one of the smallest regions as it only comprises a little over 10 acres. To the north the soil is rocky and there is many microclimates that has allowed people to diversify their Riesling stronghold and move into some red varieties. However this wine goes to cement the fact that Riesling is king.

Weingut Emrich-Schonleber "Lenz" Feinherb Riesling 2010

Give me some flavour baby! This wine has so much flavour going on that it is difficult to seperate them which is a good thing if you want to be bombarded. They is a mix between light and heavy concentrate moment all mixed in one. The wine is alive in the mouth and finishes crisp. I'm not sure how this will develop as it offers so much right now.

Alcohol: 11%
Price: $35
Rated: 90
Drink: Now - 2020
Importer: Eurocentric Wine

Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Kabinett Riesling 2010

The region of Nahe only came about in the early 1970s but the area has always produced top quality grapes. There is a large river system that runs through the area which allows for cooler night thus crisp acidity to accumulate in the wines. While the area doesn't produce the ultra minerally styled wines they are generally full of flavour and very long on their palate length.

Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Kabinett Riesling 2010

Gorgeous Kabinett styled with flavours of spice, lime rind, pine slice and crushed flowers. While these flavours might sound sweet the wine is balanced by crisp acidity which gives the impression of medium sweetness and texture to boot. From the mid-palate on the wine pulls in tight leaving my mouth salivating. Just yum and cheap too for the style.

Alcohol: 9.5%
Price: $42
Rated: 90
Drink: Who cares
Importer: Eurocentric Wine

 

Reinhold Haart Haart to Heart Riesling 2008

The Haart family has been in the wine industry for centuries. They offer European flavours and style with a lower price tag than many of their peers. They use more traditional methods for processing their grapes and they try to maintain the practises of their forebears.

Reinhold Haart Haart to Heart Riesling 2008

Masses of flinty floral aromas with quartz and fresh cut apples to match. At the moment this is so easy to chug down at lunch or later in the night. The juicy palate is balanced well by sweetness and more modern flavours but it doesn't have the texture or complexity of brilliant Rieslings. What you get here is great entry level drinking at cheaper prices. Don't get me wrong there is complexity and vibrancy running through the heart of this wine, it is just German Riesling can be so engaging it is scary. This one just falls behind just a touch. Buy now and drink over the next few years while you wait for the expensive age-worthy wines to evolve.

Alcohol: 11%
Price: $29
Rated: 89
Drink: Now - 2017
Importer: Eurocentric Wine

Weingut Reichsrat Von Buhl Dry Riesling 2010

Reichart Von Buhl is one of the largest wineries in the Pfalz region.  This wine is on the cheaper side for a German Riesling which means it is more accessible to people.

Weingut Reichsrat Von Buhl Dry Riesling 2010

Pungent lime with a touch of orange peel and spice is the first thing I notice in this wine and while it is dry it is not as dry as the Australian versions.  This is a nice entry level Riesling with a bit of funk and swagger but it doesn't have the mid palate width and precision to carry off a huge score. This wine is good value as the length of this is pretty good with flavours that are so unique I would be happy to suck this down any time.

Alcohol: 11.5%
Price: $24
Rated: 86
Drink: When ever you want.
Importer: Bibendum Wine Co.

Weingut Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Kabinett Riesling 2010

I love these style of wines as they have interest and appeal with a beautiful balance between acidity and sweetness.  It is my goal this year to taste more German Rieslings to increase my understanding of the variety. I have never had a wine from Egon Muller that I haven't liked and this wine continues that trend.

Weingut Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Kabinett Riesling 2010

Poached pears anyone? This wine is riddled with those divine fruits plus a bit of peach fuzz and wet river pebbles.  Compared to the 09 this is a little riper and more comforting but I love how Egon has balanced that sweetness with razor sharp acidity.  As soon as the flavours disappear from my mouth I want to go back for another sip.  Love it!

Alcohol: 9.5%
Price: $75
Rated: 90
Drink: Now - 2026
Importer: Negociants

Weingut Donnhoff Dry Riesling 2010

Weingut Donnhoff Dry Riesling 2010

So not an Australian Rizza on the nose as there is tropical fruits abound.  It's almost like a school yard fight in summer when your mate throws a bowl of fruit salad at you from across the room.  You know that even if that piece of banana hits you in the head you will get him back one day. The wine moves into the lemon and lime area with a bit of seashells and all of these lovely flavours sit on a good length palate.

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $12
Rated: 85
Drink: Over the next few years

Weingut Donnhoff Tonschiefer Trocken Riesling 2009

Considering it is heating up a bit and the thought of refreshing white is on many peoples minds here is a beautiful little number that could work on Christmas day morning.

Weingut Donnhoff Tonschiefer Trocken Riesling 2009

Da boom boom boom of crushed rock and lemon curd open in this wine with a massive force.  Then it moves to wood smoked pear tart which is so enchanting its scary. The wines has a lovely thick texture which hangs on my tongue like melted butter. I love it!

Alcohol: 11.5%
Price: $44
Rated: 92+
Drink: This Christmas day but will keep for 15 years.
Importer: Decant Wines

 

Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese 2009

God it is a huge effort to write the name of these German wines in your tasting notes book.  Is it worth it? A definitive yes! The wines are spectacular to say the least.  This wine from the Scharzhof vineyard is located South West of Frankfurt.  They have bicycle tours that run from winery to winery.  It must be good to be healthy and drink alcohol, while you are on holidays.

Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese 2009

I thought the Kabinett was good but this takes it to the next level.  The wine entices you in with green apples and lime juice then it turns devilish as the richness is ramped up to an almost extreme level.  If you have watched the Simpsons when Homer drinks some wax to win a chilli eating competition, then you can ideantify with how much this wine coats your mouth.  The flavours never let up as minerals and a bunch of fresh flowers join the show.  Give it a little time in the bottle as the sulfur oppresses the nose a bit.  There is no problem with sulfur on the palate. 

Alcohol: 8%
Price: $160
Rated: 95+
Drink: 2015 - 2032
Importer: Negociants

Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2009

As I've been tasting a few German rizza's over the past month I am coming to the conclusion that as soon as I finish my studies, I am going to indulge in the continual purchasing of them.   Between Egon Muller and JJ Prum you have yourself some mind Blowing experiences.

Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2009

I could drink this all daY! Texturally this takes it to another level. It is refined with a glycerol mouth feel that adds richness yet the acidity makes me feel refreshed. AlMost like a good workout as I feel that good.TherE are beautiful notes of slate, preserved lemon and spring flowers that seduce your senses.  Combine these with lime and stoNe fruits and yOu have yourself a mind blowing wine.  This is a woW wine. At the moment the sulphur distracts from the glory of the nose but the palate is something to marvel at. Leave it alone for 5 or so years and your mouth will chuck a party for you.

Alcohol: 10%
Price: $80
Rated: 93
Drink: 2016 - 2027
Importer: Negociants

Weingut Reinhard und Beate Knebel Winninger Hamm Riesling Kabinett 2007

As it is the start of spring I would encourage everyone to go out a purchase 12 Rieslings to sip on with friends, family or by yourself. They are brilliant value and a joy to drink as they are so diverse in flavours.  Each one unique!


Weingut Reinhard und Beate Knebel Winninger Hamm Riesling Kabinett 2007

There is a lovely sense of spring in this wine.  The blend of richness, stone fruits and baked apples, is perfectly balanced with lightness in the form of gunpowder, lime, cut quartz and floral notes.  There is also a textural element that takes up the enjoyment factor of the wine that is missing in so many of the Aussie versions.  It is a little unfair to compare this magnificent beauty with Aussie Riesling as they are made in two totally different styles but I really loved that something extra that is brought to the table.

Alcohol: 11.5%
Price: $?
Rated: 92
Drink: So good now even better in 10 - 15
Importer: Eurocentric Wines

Weingut Fritz Haag Riesling 2009

Fritz Haag Riesling 2009

Once upon a time in a land far far away lived Amelie Apple and Penelope Peach.  All day long they loved to dance and sing merry songs of love.  They wished to be swept off their feet by two valiant princes but the wild mineral monster ruined their plans at every turn.  Until one day at the start of spring a band of merry men heard the vial tail.  Floral Florian and Percy Pineapple were the leaders of the tropical gang who trudged across the waste lands undoing the wrongs of the land.  They had heard great yet evil stories about the might of the monster.  As the morning sun rose over the hills Percy could hear a mesmerising voice coming from the lake.  He followed the voice into the water, swimming down towards the dim light.  After what seemed like forever he pulled himself out of the lake clutching the sword of lemon zest.  Striding into battle they drove off the mineral monster winning the hands of Amelie Apple and Penelope Peach.



Alcohol: 11%
Price: $30
Rated: 89
Drink: now - 2019
Importer: Eurocentric Wine