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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 19 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by skipwine on 4/30/2023 & rated 93 points: Drinking perfectly now. Great fruit, balance, bouquet and finish. (283 views) | | | Tasted by wtianseter on 12/7/2022 & rated 86 points: This bottle aged poorly. The flavors were muddled rather than being separate and bright. Drinkable but not what it should be (367 views) | | | Tasted by skipwine on 11/25/2022 & rated 93 points: Outstanding, full rich body, wonderful bouquet, long finish, perfectly balanced, classic Mosel spatlese which should drink beautifully for at least the next 4/5 years with proper cellaring (345 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 4/16/2020 & rated 93 points: Prior bottle was about 11 months ago, and this wine still takes some time open to truly show its best. Orange, peach, floral and mixed tropical notes on the nose. Medium bodied with the same flavor profile: apple, pear and white peach and then shifting to more gold peach, orange and tropical and then citrus notes and acidity behind. Acidity still has impressive intensity and when coupled with the tart orange and tart lemon notes on the back, provides good contrast and promises increased future complexity. When first opened, the acidity actually concealed a lot and distorted the overall profile. But as it warmed and integrated, it showed depth and nuance. I would be careful not to serve it too cold and to give it some time open. Should continue to evolve positively over the next few years with a number of additional years beyond that at a high level. (933 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 5/17/2019 & rated 93 points: Prior bottle was just over a year ago and this wine continues to show extremely well. White peach, floral, orange and other tropical notes on the nose that showed more and more complexity as the wine warmed. Medium bodied with apple and pear at first, couple with a good amount of peach that showed both brightness (acidity) and depth/roundness. Mid-body has continued to open up with peach, pineapple, orange and other varied tropical notes that are becoming more distinct. The acidity on the backside along with tart orange, lemon and minerals frame the richer mid-body perfectly and allows the fruit to be expressed beautifully without overt sweetness. This fruit/acidity balance is currently in a very good spot and I've generally been impressed with 2012 spatleses overall. Should continue to improve in the coming years and I'll try my next bottle in Q2 2020. (1010 views) | | | Tasted by Rob Hansult on 2/18/2019 & rated 92 points: Big, creamy, yellow peach, lime, apricot, cantaloupe, sappy pungent nose. Black currant, white cherry & licorice come out with air, along with touch of apricot-cream Botrytis.
On the palate sappy lime, mango, tart nectarine, yellow peach, morello cherry. Great freshness, balance, depth & length. Med+ intensity. Both fresh & sexy. Classic Middle Mosel. Drinking very young (92+) (968 views) | | | Tasted by wtianseter on 10/10/2018 & rated 92 points: All the other ratings talk mostly of fruit flavors so for this review I will focus on the body and texture. Fruits heavy up front that carries throughout the mouth. The middle hits with a slight twang of acid that stimulates the tongue and balances out the smoothness and roundness. Finish has nice smoothness and a touch of spice for a good period. Sweetness is just about perfect for a Spat. Color is a sparkling golden-yellow. Nice wine! Should remain nice and drinkable for decades. (938 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 4/28/2018 & rated 93 points: Prior bottle was nine months ago and my notes were quite consistent. White orchard fruit, tart orange, floral and hints of tropical on the nose. Medium bodied and opened at 49F, warming to 54F and showed well throughout, but mostly completely on the warmer end. Starts off solidly on the orchard fruit side (peach, apple, melon and pear) but the mid-body has started to open up a bit from last time, showing richer peach and the beginnings of tropical fruit notes. Transition to and the finish itself remain excellent with the same beautifully tart orange note I recalled from my prior bottle, along with lemon, citrus and minerals. Acidity still puts on quite the show. It might not be as intense as it was in my first bottle three and a half years ago, but there's plenty left, enough to provide excellent contrasts, good overall structure and that little zing of youthful tartness which goes exceptionally well with the fruit. Next bottle for me will be June 2019. (1083 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 7/18/2017 & rated 93 points: Prior bottle was a bit over 18 months ago (Dec 2015) and this wine fully recaptured my impressions from my initial bottle back in October 2014; very much worth the wait. Opened at 54F, warming to 57F and that seemed to be a good range to show off both the fruit and acidity. Orchard fruit, floral notes and tart orange on the nose. Medium bodied (8% ABV) with apple, pear, melon and white peach upfront. Excellent mid-body depth where it adds richness to contrast with the upfront fruit and then acidity. Not quite the icy dagger of the first bottle (may be partially due to warmer serving temperature), but noticeably better than my second bottle in this regard. Finishes with lemon, lime, tart orange and mineral/slate/stone notes. Strengths of this wine remain the richness and definition of the fruit and the acidity which works for both backbone and contrast. Should continue to improve with a number of years ahead. I'll try my next bottle in late Spring 2018. (1045 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 12/28/2015 & rated 93 points: Served starting at 48F and ending at 52F. Wine seems to have closed down significantly since I lasted tasted it (Oct 2014). Lots of floral and orchard fruit notes on the nose. But the body of the wine itself has gone from an icy dagger of pure flavors to a closed fist. You can still sense the richness and depth of the orchard fruit (especially apple and pear) along with lemon, lime and mineral notes. But it's all wound up very tightly at this point. Considering how much this wine has to offer, I'd hold off on drinking it for now. I'll try my next bottle in 2017 and see how it's evolving. The depth and complexity that this wine is capable of is well worth waiting for. (1472 views) | | | Tasted by Rob Hansult on 4/12/2015 & rated 93 points: Intense, creamy/mineral fruit. Lime-flesh, lemon-oil, quince, lanolin, pink-grapefruit, quinine, white-peach, red-cherry, nectarine, lavender, & star-fruit. Subtle touch of cassis & small black berries not uncommon in Piesport Riesling. Finish & aftertaste is lime-flesh/zest, tart-apricot, & nectarine-skin. Beautifully crafted. Excellent intensity. Lingering aftertaste. (293 views) | | | Tasted by Rob Hansult on 11/2/2014 & rated 92 points: Big, sappy, pungent, creamy/steely, flowery, red-cherry, mineral-infused white-peach, nectarine, tart-apricot, lime-flesh, quince, quinine, pink-grapefruit, lime-zest, talc, & crushed-rock. Med+ intensity. Excellent, ripe acidity. Good length. Young, tight, & impressive. Needs 3,4 hours air to really open up.
So happy to see Kesselstatt is "Back". This clearly puts them in the Mosels upper echelon. (262 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 10/30/2014 & rated 93 points: Very aromatic nose with lots of orchard fruit, floral qualities and a background steeliness. Icy peach upfront adding in apple, pear and lime as it moves through the middle showcasing great richness and depth. All orchard fruit, no strong tropical notes at this stage. Slate, stone and general mineral qualities on the finish along with a background creaminess. Some sweetness, but more a richness as the balancing acidity is simply outstanding throughout. This wine is absolutely drinkable now, but based on the body, fruit, acidity and balance, I’ll look for it to get even better over the next several years and it has a long life ahead of it. (2245 views) | | | Tasted by HenrikJ on 11/6/2013 & rated 90 points: Fresh and round bouquet with notes of white flowers, linen cloths, white stone fruits, honeydew, elderflowers, some fabric softener and a touch of slate minerality. Very nice balance on the palate with good sweetness and good acidity. Deliciously round and mellow with good freshness and lift. The finish is medium plus with notes of yellow fruits. Drinking great already if you want the fresh fruit and flowery profile, but could be cellared for many years for a more mature and perhaps more complex character. (2838 views) |
| Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Producer websiteRiesling Varietal character (Appellation America) | A short history of Riesling (Uncork) | Riesling (wikipedia)Spätlese Wikipedia article on Spätlese.Germany Wines of Germany | The Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) | How to read a German wine label | Geographical Information Down to Single Vineyards
#2014 Vintage Notes:
2014 Vintage Report by Terry Theise
2014 Vintage Report by Wine Spectator
"My gut still tells me the Saar (and to some extent) the Ruwer are better overall in 2014 than the more storied areas of the Mosel proper, but those that spent the requisite time living in their middle-Mosel vineyards made some of the most electric and "feathery" Riesling in a long time (maybe the finest in 20 years - yes, it's true!)" - Jon Rimmerman (Of course only a very short historical memory would call the Saar and Ruwer less 'storied' than the middle Mosel - jht)Mosel Saar RuwerStarting in 2007 the German wine authorities have changed labeling laws to rename all of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wines to just "Mosel." This puts this and other database driven sites in a difficult spot, as millions of old wine label reflect the former labeling. As described here, CellarTracker has elected to remain with the old labeling for a number of years to avoid confusion. At some point we will switch over to just "Mosel" but not for a few years at least.
Mosel WeinKulturland (Moselwein e.V.)
Detailed geographical information at weinlagen.info
#2018 Vintage Notes:
"Acid levels are relatively low throughout Riesling-growing Europe (acidification will once again be permitted in Germany – no surprise, as that’s been the case in eight of the last 10 vintages); but because malic acid was baked off or degraded by relentlessly balmy weather means, what acid remains is overwhelmingly of the efficacious tartaric sort. Extract levels are low, as one would anticipate from a growing season during which relatively little moisture was coursing through the vine’s roots and shoots. [...] Everyone is astonished how there could have been so much juice despite the drought." - David Schildknecht
"2018 is a homogenous vintage with a very high general level, below which it seldom falls [...] It leads with blossom. It is perhaps 80% delicious and 20% fascinating." - Terry Theise
#2017 Vintage Notes:
"not so friendly towards light wines" - Milkmansteve
#2016 Vintage Notes: "Overall, 2016 is a charmer of a vintage with much immediate ripe and fruity appeal, not unlike 2011 (in fresher) or 2007 (in lighter). However, 2016 is far from being homogeneous, in fact it is composed of a mosaic of vintages, a result of the freakish growing conditions. Hidden inside the vintage, there are true gems with the balance of 1997, one of the best vintages ever, 2002 or even 2008. The bulk of the harvest was brought in with refreshingly moderate sugar levels. Overall, the Saar and Ruwer produced slightly fresher wines than the Middle Mosel but there are great differences between Estates. The good harvest conditions allowed for some Auslese, little BA and even TBA wines, but some remarkably pure and fruity Eiswein.
In general, 2016 offers the opportunity to acquire Riesling with great immediate ripe appeal: The vintage is a true charmer. At the top, 2016 is one of the most exciting and elegantly balanced vintage since the 1990s and well-worth stocking up for cellaring! In particular, we urge our readers to literally plunge onto the finest Kabinett and Spätlese: These are some of the most exciting and classic we have ever tasted. 2016 looks also set to become a major vintage for dry Riesling, provided the aromatics are not overripe. Lovers of dessert wines will find much to love in 2016 as the Auslese are pure and the Eiswein are gorgeously fruity. They should however also keep an eye open for the remaining stunning noble-sweet wines from 2015 which are still available here and there." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 36, July 2017
#2014 Vintage Notes:
"The heterogeneity of the 2014 vintage carries over onto the aging process. The top wines start to close down, as one would expect from these wines which are a remake of those from the 1990s. The wines affected by gin, saffron and mushroom flavors are still comparatively open and offer a not unattractive Scheurebe styled fruit opulence. We would opt to drink up these lesser wines except for the odd bottle and bury the little treasures of the vintage deep into the cellar." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 30, March 2016
#2013 Vintage Notes:
"The fruity-styled 2013 wines have firmed up significantly since last year and start to show signs of closing down, making the underlying acidity seemingly sharp and out of balance. The better dry wines have come out of their early armor of smoke and tannin but the acidity may prove quite challenging. Quite frankly, except for some smaller bottlings, this is a vintage to lay down and wait." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2012 Vintage Notes:
"The 2012 wines have put on some flesh and go through a 'fattier' phase which is not unlike what the 2007 went through at the same period. However, the zestier acidity cuts through this 'weight' and makes the wines thoroughly enjoyable at this early stage. In particular the fruity Kabinett and Spatlese as well as the off-dry and dry wines offer much pleasure. We expect these wines to close down over the coming year or two. Enjoy while it lasts!" - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2011 Vintage Notes:
"A bit to our surprise, the 2011 wines have shut down and go through a quite difficult and muted phase now. Their low acidity combined with their maturity makes them feel rich, opulent and often bulky, and thus not really enjoyable. We expect that these will need at least a decade to integrate their sweetness and gain in harmony. The only exception is the dry wines, whose low acidity makes for great food companionship." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2010 Vintage Notes:
"After a mellower period in 2012, many 2010 wines have firmed up and developed a stronger smoky side. However, most continue to shine through their fruit opulence, structure and deliciously zesty but ripe acidity. This suits in particular the off-dry bottlings, which have more charm than the legally dry wines. Will these wines close down? Actually, the softening acidity makes us wonder now but it also provides further evidence that these wines will turn out harmonious after all." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2009 Vintage Notes:
"Most 2009 wines have closed down, which accentuates their round and soft side forward. Many can still be quite enjoyable but the times of primary fruit with its attractive aromatic expression and a generous acidic kick are now over. Except for the dry wines, we would definitely recommend keeping your hands off any bottle in your cellar and possibly buying more wines from this vintage on the market as these are true gems in the making." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015 |
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