German Riesling Seminar Series with Ewald Moseler (Spätlese)

This was a sit down lecture format where Ewald presented some slides and talked us through what Spätlese was and a discussion of the various producers and vineyards. The photos shown really make a person want to visit the steep slopes of German wine country... beautiful!

• 2007 Domdechant Werner Hochheimer Kirchenstück Riesling Spätlese trocken 89 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  12% alcohol. This showed crushed stone minerality on the nose, some lychee fruit, lemon, and great overall persistence and class with well rounded character on the nose. Nice cutting acidity on the palate, but a strange texture that feels a bit lacking and light on flavor complexity. The finish shows more lemon and coats the mouth, with some more cutting acidity. It's nice, but a little hollow in spots outside the nose.

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• 2006 Kees-Kieren Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese ** 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Some nice funky burnt rubber and light oil components on the nose that I found very interesting and enjoyable. The palate has a thick creamy texture that's pleasing, some light green character, some petrol, and is creamy and soft expressing some pear and green grape components. Nice balance of sweetness and minerality, some tackiness lingers for a while after I swallow, along with some sweet pickled cabbage that's yummy. Very interesting and enjoyable, with some great texture. Probably my favorite of the night.

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• 2007 Schmitges Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese ** 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  This has nice aromas, tons of herbal character (primarily rosemary), and some very light lemon zest. There are some green notes of sweet steamed broccoli and asparagus on the palate, and tons of sweet green apple. There's some pineapple that carries into the finish coupled with more green apple, and a very nice balance of acid and sugar.

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• 2007 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben-Thanisch) Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese 90 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Lots of blood orange on the nose, coupled with slate, lemon, and a fairly large thick presence overall, trailing at the end with a strange funky metal shavings thing. Medium-full bodied on the very creamy palate, with some strange greenness and somehow the flavors of a sugar cube, but not its sweetness. Some plenty of green apple into the finish, but also some slight green asparagus.

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• 2007 Vollenweider Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Spätlese 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Lighter tan the others thus far, this has a very mild texture and aroma on the nose; like resting my my nose on a pillow. Very rich and great acid and sweetness integration on the palate. For some reason this taste reminds me of pre-school, but I couldn't figure out why (just had all kinds of imagery). It is quite thick on the palate, almost syrupy. Great and lithe on the finish, lingers nicely with its mild nature. There's some green present, and lots of really sweet green apples. Enjoyable.

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• 2007 Schloss Schönborn Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg Riesling Spätlese 85 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  I could tell on the pour this was lighter bodied. In the glass it was very light color and almost watery in texture. The nose is very crisp, shows some saline water and green lettuce. Mild on the palate, with some spice, some slightly heavy (but not angular) acidity, which is very strange... light smoke present as well. Funky and strange finish, very very tart and bitter. Feels off balanced throughout.

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• 2007 Eugen Wehrheim Niersteiner Paterberg Gewürztraminer Spätlese 83 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Pours very thick. Wow, this smells EXACTLY like the inside peel of a lychee fruit. One of the most spot on noses I've come across. There'a also some green pepper, and strange mens cologne. Quite peppery on the palate, very sweet, with that weird cologne thing again. There's a green pine cone too. More of the green pine cone on the finish, strange funky acidity and tartness. I really dislike the lingering flavors on my palate... not really hitting in a place I enjoy.

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