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10 years after Riesling tasting - 2011
Restaurant Waldhorn, Kirchheim, Germany
Tasted July 17, 2021 by NoTrollingerPlease with 282 views
Flight 1 (1 note)
White - Sparkling
2008 Dom Pérignon Champagne
93 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
From Magnum. Seemed a bit sweeter to me as my previous bottles. Nevertheless, a beautiful, young, energetic Champagne with a great upscale potential. Happy to follow up on this over the next two decades. 93+
From Magnum. Seemed a bit sweeter to me as my previous bottles. Nevertheless, a beautiful, young, energetic Champagne with a great upscale potential. Happy to follow up on this over the next two decades. 93+
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Flight 2 (1 note)
White
2011 Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Riesling Pergentsknopp
91 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Not a GG, due to the rather high residual sugar. Hence #1 in the tasting. Round, soft, good mineral core. Drinks nicely now, but certainly not as good and precise as future vintages. Today only 90-91
Not a GG, due to the rather high residual sugar. Hence #1 in the tasting. Round, soft, good mineral core. Drinks nicely now, but certainly not as good and precise as future vintages. Today only 90-91
Flight 3 (2 notes)
White
2011 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Großes Gewächs
91 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Clear, medium golden color. Clean, medium intense, youthful-developing nose. Ripe mellow apple, herbaceous (nettles), grass, some floral notes. Dry, medium+ acidity, 13,5% abv well integrated. On the palate ripe, musty apple, herbaceous, spicy (some delicate botrytis?) and very mineral. Creamy, good tension and pressure. Long, lingering finish, very mineral. Starting to reach its full peak, but will continue to evolve for 5+ years. 91-92
Clear, medium golden color. Clean, medium intense, youthful-developing nose. Ripe mellow apple, herbaceous (nettles), grass, some floral notes. Dry, medium+ acidity, 13,5% abv well integrated. On the palate ripe, musty apple, herbaceous, spicy (some delicate botrytis?) and very mineral. Creamy, good tension and pressure. Long, lingering finish, very mineral. Starting to reach its full peak, but will continue to evolve for 5+ years. 91-92
White
2011 Kühling-Gillot Pettenthal Riesling Großes Gewächs
90 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Medium deep golden color. On the palate round, ripe warm fruit, orange zests, herbs, nice mineral core. Good depth, medium+ length. Vintage typical a bit chubby, a bit hot and lacks acidity. Some botrytis? Drink now – 5+ years. 90-91
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Medium deep golden color. On the palate round, ripe warm fruit, orange zests, herbs, nice mineral core. Good depth, medium+ length. Vintage typical a bit chubby, a bit hot and lacks acidity. Some botrytis? Drink now – 5+ years. 90-91
Flight 4 (2 notes)
White
2011 Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling Großes Gewächs
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Beautiful nose, spicy, ripe yellow fruit. On the palate warm ripe fruit, wonderful mineral core, quite lean for 2011, pressure, beautiful length. One of the few wines in 2011 with upscale potential for at least 5+ years. 92+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Beautiful nose, spicy, ripe yellow fruit. On the palate warm ripe fruit, wonderful mineral core, quite lean for 2011, pressure, beautiful length. One of the few wines in 2011 with upscale potential for at least 5+ years. 92+
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White
2011 Schäfer-Fröhlich Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Großes Gewächs
91 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Unusual SF Nose, reduction notes barely noticeable. Exotic fruit, spicy. Very good wine, but a bit broad. Ripe, exotic fruit, great mineral core. Not as precise as the Hermannshöhle. Potential for 2-5 years. 91+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Unusual SF Nose, reduction notes barely noticeable. Exotic fruit, spicy. Very good wine, but a bit broad. Ripe, exotic fruit, great mineral core. Not as precise as the Hermannshöhle. Potential for 2-5 years. 91+
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Flight 5 (2 notes)
White
2011 Emrich-Schönleber Halenberg Riesling Großes Gewächs
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Deep, smoky, mineral nose.
On the palate quite lean for 2011. Round, wonderful balance, very mineral and elegant. Long finish. Still very youthful. Needs time. One of the very few wines in 2011 with upscale potential for at least 10+ years. 92-93+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Deep, smoky, mineral nose.
On the palate quite lean for 2011. Round, wonderful balance, very mineral and elegant. Long finish. Still very youthful. Needs time. One of the very few wines in 2011 with upscale potential for at least 10+ years. 92-93+
White
2011 Schäfer-Fröhlich Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Großes Gewächs
93 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, deep color. Dark, deep, smoky, mineral nose. Classic Halenberg.
Deeper and more powerful as the E-S Halenberg. Smoky, ripe fruit, very mineral and precise. Very long. Still very youthful. Needs time. One of the very few wines in 2011 with upscale potential for at least 5+ years. 93+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, deep color. Dark, deep, smoky, mineral nose. Classic Halenberg.
Deeper and more powerful as the E-S Halenberg. Smoky, ripe fruit, very mineral and precise. Very long. Still very youthful. Needs time. One of the very few wines in 2011 with upscale potential for at least 5+ years. 93+
Flight 6 (2 notes)
White
2011 Weingut Keller Kirchspiel Riesling Großes Gewächs
91 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Nose with some ripe yellow fruit, not very complex.
On the palate round, balanced, lots of ripe yellow fruit. Good mineral core. Not as precise and focused as other KPK GGs from this vintage. Fresh. Still young and with some potential, though I doubt that it gets much better. Good, but not very exciting. 90-91+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting.
Clear, pale golden color. Nose with some ripe yellow fruit, not very complex.
On the palate round, balanced, lots of ripe yellow fruit. Good mineral core. Not as precise and focused as other KPK GGs from this vintage. Fresh. Still young and with some potential, though I doubt that it gets much better. Good, but not very exciting. 90-91+
White
2011 Wittmann Westhofener Kirchspiel Riesling Großes Gewächs
88 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, deep golden color. Musty, ripe nose, broad, not precise.
On the palate quite advanced, some ripe apple, zesty bitter notes, broad/chubby, lacks tension and excitement. Drink now – 2years, no potential. Good wine, but disappointing for the vintner and vineyard. 88-89
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, deep golden color. Musty, ripe nose, broad, not precise.
On the palate quite advanced, some ripe apple, zesty bitter notes, broad/chubby, lacks tension and excitement. Drink now – 2years, no potential. Good wine, but disappointing for the vintner and vineyard. 88-89
Flight 7 (2 notes)
White
2011 Weingut Keller Abts E® Riesling Großes Gewächs
94 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, pale golden color. Now we are talking! Beautiful deep and complex nose. On the palate the usual energy and tension of recent AbtsE years, wrapped in warm, ripe fruit. Wonderful balance and elegance. Great extract and minerality. Long and lingering finish. This is not even close to its full peak and will drink nicely over the next decade. 94+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, pale golden color. Now we are talking! Beautiful deep and complex nose. On the palate the usual energy and tension of recent AbtsE years, wrapped in warm, ripe fruit. Wonderful balance and elegance. Great extract and minerality. Long and lingering finish. This is not even close to its full peak and will drink nicely over the next decade. 94+
White
2011 Wittmann Westhofener Brunnenhauschen Riesling Großes Gewächs
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, medium golden color. Beautiful deep mineral and spicy nose, some menthol.
Rounder and softer than the AbtsE, but also very balanced and elegant. Great mineral core. Long finish. Way better than the Kirchspiel, but also seems to be at its full peak. Drink now – 3 years. 92-93
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, medium golden color. Beautiful deep mineral and spicy nose, some menthol.
Rounder and softer than the AbtsE, but also very balanced and elegant. Great mineral core. Long finish. Way better than the Kirchspiel, but also seems to be at its full peak. Drink now – 3 years. 92-93
Flight 8 (2 notes)
White
White
2011 A. Christmann Konigsbacher Idig Riesling Großes Gewächs
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, medium golden color. I am really becoming an Idig fan. Very deep and mineral. Lots of ripe fruit, broad shoulders, but not fat. Quite precise. Lots of extract. Long finish. Some upscale potential 92+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, medium golden color. I am really becoming an Idig fan. Very deep and mineral. Lots of ripe fruit, broad shoulders, but not fat. Quite precise. Lots of extract. Long finish. Some upscale potential 92+
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Flight 9 (3 notes)
White
2011 Koehler-Ruprecht Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Auslese trocken "R"
90 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
This bottle caused quite some debate. Was it “good”? I never had a different Auslese R from 2011 and also the second bottle we pulled from a different cellar was not much different to me.
Clear, golden color. Freaky nose, herbaceous, mellow apple, anise. Round, balanced, lots of mellow apple. Lacks tension and depth. Will it get better? I don’t know, but I hope the best. Next bottle in 5 years. 90+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
This bottle caused quite some debate. Was it “good”? I never had a different Auslese R from 2011 and also the second bottle we pulled from a different cellar was not much different to me.
Clear, golden color. Freaky nose, herbaceous, mellow apple, anise. Round, balanced, lots of mellow apple. Lacks tension and depth. Will it get better? I don’t know, but I hope the best. Next bottle in 5 years. 90+
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White
2011 Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz Birkweiler Kastanienbusch Riesling Großes Gewächs
93 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
One of my big surprises in this tasting. Clear, golden yellow color. Wonderful deep, intense and complex nose. This impression continues on the palate. Very mineral, deep, salty and complex. Wonderful tension and pressure, very long. Drinks beautifully now – 3 years. 93
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
One of my big surprises in this tasting. Clear, golden yellow color. Wonderful deep, intense and complex nose. This impression continues on the palate. Very mineral, deep, salty and complex. Wonderful tension and pressure, very long. Drinks beautifully now – 3 years. 93
White
2011 Weingut Knoll Riesling Smaragd Ried Schütt
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
As always a pleasure and a wonderful example to trick people in blind tasting. Schütt is always more “Pfalz” than “Wachau” to me and never loaded with botrytis. Quite spicy nose. Very balanced and harmonious on the palate, nice zesty bitter notes, good mineral core. Good length. Potential for at least 5+ years. 92+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
As always a pleasure and a wonderful example to trick people in blind tasting. Schütt is always more “Pfalz” than “Wachau” to me and never loaded with botrytis. Quite spicy nose. Very balanced and harmonious on the palate, nice zesty bitter notes, good mineral core. Good length. Potential for at least 5+ years. 92+
Flight 10 (2 notes)
White
2011 Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste. Hune
93 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, pale golden color. Nose driven by lots of stony mineral and some petrol. Very dense. On the palate very precise and quite lean. Wonderful acidity. Salty, some caraway seeds, ripe fruit. Great tension and extract. This is a sleeping monster at its very early stage and made for the very long run. Keep it for at least another decade. 93-94++
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, pale golden color. Nose driven by lots of stony mineral and some petrol. Very dense. On the palate very precise and quite lean. Wonderful acidity. Salty, some caraway seeds, ripe fruit. Great tension and extract. This is a sleeping monster at its very early stage and made for the very long run. Keep it for at least another decade. 93-94++
White
2011 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Forster Kirchenstück Riesling
93 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, golden color. Elegant, salty nose with some petrol. On the palate very precise, lean with a wonderful mineral core. A bit rounder/softer than the CSH. Beautiful acidity, lots of extract. Long finish. Probably a bit less potential than the CSH, but it needs at least 5+ years to fully shine. 93+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, golden color. Elegant, salty nose with some petrol. On the palate very precise, lean with a wonderful mineral core. A bit rounder/softer than the CSH. Beautiful acidity, lots of extract. Long finish. Probably a bit less potential than the CSH, but it needs at least 5+ years to fully shine. 93+
Flight 11 (3 notes)
White
2011 Peter Jakob Kühn Riesling Schlehdorn
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, deep golden color. Oxidative, musty notes, lots of mellow apple. Not flawed, but quite deep and complex.
On the palate rose hip, mellow apple, zests. Very deep and mineral. Quite expressive and long. Certainly on its peak now. Not much potential, so drink now. 92-93
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, deep golden color. Oxidative, musty notes, lots of mellow apple. Not flawed, but quite deep and complex.
On the palate rose hip, mellow apple, zests. Very deep and mineral. Quite expressive and long. Certainly on its peak now. Not much potential, so drink now. 92-93
White
2011 Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvée Ste. Catherine
93 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Another wonderful surprise for me. Never had this wine before, but I had never imagined, that it is so precise and energetic.
Clear, pale golden color. Very precise nose, fine yellow fruit and lots of crushed stones. On the palate extremely youthful, mineral and energetic. Fine yellow fruit, some petrol, very good extract. Medium acidity. Very good length. Potential for at least 5+ years. 93+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Another wonderful surprise for me. Never had this wine before, but I had never imagined, that it is so precise and energetic.
Clear, pale golden color. Very precise nose, fine yellow fruit and lots of crushed stones. On the palate extremely youthful, mineral and energetic. Fine yellow fruit, some petrol, very good extract. Medium acidity. Very good length. Potential for at least 5+ years. 93+
White
2011 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, deep golden color. Nose with lots of ripe yellow fruit, not as precise as the Weinbach.
On the palate lots of ripe yellow fruit, some botrytis, lots of extract. A bit broad. Medium acidity. Very long. For me at its full peak. 91-92
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, deep golden color. Nose with lots of ripe yellow fruit, not as precise as the Weinbach.
On the palate lots of ripe yellow fruit, some botrytis, lots of extract. A bit broad. Medium acidity. Very long. For me at its full peak. 91-92
Flight 12 (2 notes)
White
2011 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel
93 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, medium golden color. Nose with ripe yellow fruit, acacia, honey, crushed stones.
On the palate lots of extract, botrytis notes, honey, acacia, spices. Very deep and dense, complex. Certainly, broad shouldered, but also young and astonishingly fresh. Long, complex finish. Potential for at least 10+ years. You have to like this style. If you do, than it is certainly 93+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Clear, medium golden color. Nose with ripe yellow fruit, acacia, honey, crushed stones.
On the palate lots of extract, botrytis notes, honey, acacia, spices. Very deep and dense, complex. Certainly, broad shouldered, but also young and astonishingly fresh. Long, complex finish. Potential for at least 10+ years. You have to like this style. If you do, than it is certainly 93+
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White
2011 F.X. Pichler Riesling Unendlich
92 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
This is another wine that clearly polarizes! You either hate it or love it.
Clear, medium yellow. Nose with the 2011 typical band aid notes, some ripe fruit, herbs.
On the palate certainly a monster with its 15% abv and rather hot. But it is also quite complex, very deep, dense and unique. Ethereal notes, black pepper, botrytis, ripe yellow fruit, very mineral and a very long finish. 92-93+
Bottle double decanted about 7h before the tasting. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
This is another wine that clearly polarizes! You either hate it or love it.
Clear, medium yellow. Nose with the 2011 typical band aid notes, some ripe fruit, herbs.
On the palate certainly a monster with its 15% abv and rather hot. But it is also quite complex, very deep, dense and unique. Ethereal notes, black pepper, botrytis, ripe yellow fruit, very mineral and a very long finish. 92-93+
Flight 13 (1 note)
White - Off-dry
2011 Zilliken (Forstmeister Geltz) Saarburger Rausch Riesling “Diabas”
flawed
Unfortunately corked :(
Flight 14 (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2011 Weingut Keller Westhofen Brunnenhäuschen Abts E® Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel
94 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Popped and poured. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Hmm, that is a tough nut to crack. I was not that happy with its Hipping Brother a few months ago and was curious on the AbtsE BA.
What can I say? It is a wonderful BA and certainly more complex than the Hipping. But it is not about terroir anymore. It could easily be a Mosel BA or from the Nahe. Very good, wonderful balance of sugar and acidity, complex, multi-layered nose and an almost never-ending finish. Certainly, a great wine with further potential for decades. But it does not touch my soul. 94+
Popped and poured. Bought at release, perfectly stored.
Hmm, that is a tough nut to crack. I was not that happy with its Hipping Brother a few months ago and was curious on the AbtsE BA.
What can I say? It is a wonderful BA and certainly more complex than the Hipping. But it is not about terroir anymore. It could easily be a Mosel BA or from the Nahe. Very good, wonderful balance of sugar and acidity, complex, multi-layered nose and an almost never-ending finish. Certainly, a great wine with further potential for decades. But it does not touch my soul. 94+
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Flight 15 (1 note)
White - Sparkling
2003 Dom Pérignon Champagne P2
94 points
Glass: Sophienwald Universal
Clear, medium golden color. Very dense, salty and complex nose, some roasted hazelnut, some reduction. On the palate bone dry, very salty, wonderful pressure and tension. Great texture, very good balance. Long and lingering finish. Potential for decades. 94-95+
Clear, medium golden color. Very dense, salty and complex nose, some roasted hazelnut, some reduction. On the palate bone dry, very salty, wonderful pressure and tension. Great texture, very good balance. Long and lingering finish. Potential for decades. 94-95+