December 29, 2021 - #05-02, 8.5% abv. As I poured myself the first glass of this and quickly tasted it, the first word that came to my mind was scintillating. Apparently I have a limited vocabulary, because that's exactly what I said about the last bottle of this that I had. The nose isn't the most expressive, but there are slight hints of fruit. It's the palate where this wine shines; it's not chock full of fruit flavour but instead focusses on minerals and herbs. The acidity is bright and electric; it's a wine teeming with energy that tastes much younger than it actually is. Yet another in a long line of incredible wines made by Hans-Leo.
February 26, 2021 - Poured into small bottles. Day 2. The nose isn't showing that much, some lime and a bit of herbs and honey. The palate is a little mute but the end palate and finish are wonderful - crisp with great lime fruit, wild strawberries, spicy.
November 21, 2020 - #05-02, 8.5% abv. Some of the best rieslings, I've typically described as scintillating. This bottle is no exception. It is preternaturally youthful, with beautiful fresh fruit and green herb aromas on the nose, and a generosity that makes you think that this wine will be sweeter than it actually is. On the palate, there is an ethereal lightness with flavours of orchard fruit and a mouthwatering, racy acidity that whets the appetite. This is the sort of brilliant wine that is as complex as you want it to be -- easy to mindlessly drink but with ample material to contemplate and sip. The work of a consummate master.
July 22, 2019 - Lovely, mature and complex. Displays apple skins, herbs, baked apple and citrus. While very enjoyable, the acids were just good... not as electric as I was expecting.
January 22, 2017 - Brilliant Kabinett. Classic Würzgarten strawberry and lime flavours tinged with floral, mineral, and the start of maturing smoky notes, all conveyed on a package that has amazing lightness and finesse. There's barely any sense of weight here, yet such intensity to the flavours and a finish that lingers long after each sip. This is in a great place now, though has years ahead of it.
January 22, 2017 - Hanging out with Salil; 1/21/2017-1/22/2017 (Chicago, IL): #05-02, 8.5% abv. This is just crazily good Kabinett. There's really not much to say about this, except that it is exactly what an Ürziger Würzgarten Kabinett ought to taste like. There's that veritable spice garden with its green herbs, a touch of strawberry, and almost a hint of orange blossom -- this is so exotic and yet familiar at the same time. The palate is clean and crisp, with racy acidity and perfect balance. A phenomenal Kabinett. This is a wine that will easily age for decades more. It's a shame that Hans-Leo isn't making the wines now.
June 7, 2015 - Farewell to a delicious wine. This is my last bottle of the Kabinett (plenty of Spatlese and Auslese still waiting), and on the top of the maturity curve. It still shows a lightly cooked strawberry aroma (think jam/sauce), but is now dominated but the red slate elements of the Wurzgarten. Cinnamon red hots, dried pineapple, nutmeg and iron minerality take the focus. On the palate it is only lightly sweet, and the acidity makes for a completely dry finish. I have been following this wine for 13 years, since it's release in fall of 2002, and it has always been beautiful regardless of where it was in its aging curve. It remains beautiful now, as it gets ready to sail towards the sunset.
December 8, 2014 - OMFG. I think this is the best young kabinett for me of all time, and I've had some really good ones. :) Huge and suavely subtle. Bright, laser-focused, nuanced, clean, saline, crunchy red berried fruit. Silky, deep, glycerin-imbued yet light as a feather texture. Blazing structural acidity. With limeade and cream on top. And a finish to die for. My god I love well made Riesling! Christoffels in 01 are just phenomenal - so glad I have a ton more. This will easily last a decade, and probably two, though I wouldn't want to miss this phase. Ridiculous....... (Knee buckling, supplication icon here.)
November 15, 2014 - Hamtopia. Easy to identify in a single blind flight of 4 2001 Mosel Kabs. Excellent, as always. Hitting on all cylinders but no hurry to drink.
May 21, 2014 - I have followed this wine since June 2002 when it was first poured at the Terry Theise portfolio tasting in NYC. I was blown away then. A lack of willpower has resulted in most of my bottles disappearing long before now. Some have been good. A couple have been excellent. Tonight marked the first time in 12 years that great came out to play again. The grace, purity, elegance and cut of that young wine reappeared, along with layers of bottle aged complexity. The flavors expand on the palate, and the finish lingers for a long, long time.