#14-00, 8.5% abv. From half-bottle. Been a while since I had a bottle of Dönnhoff Auslese. A stunner, this one. Elegant and refined, with that old-school Dönnhoff ethereal quality that Terry Theise raved about. A bit of white cherry, green herbs, and smokiness, but also plenty of riesling cut underneath a rich layer of fresh yellow fruit. Impeccably balanced and drinking so very well now.
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#14-00, 8.5% abv. From half-bottle. A difficult rendition of this perennial favourite. The nose shows a little hint of unclean botrytis as well as a smidgen of volatility. The palate lacks the precision and cleanness that the best editions of this have; it's a little diffuse and unfocussed. The sweetness seems to stick out prominently here, and then the acidity on the finish, rather than the two working together; in shorter words, this is a bit disjoint. Still it's quite an excellent bottle of riesling, just not up to the same level as the best vintages.
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Very deep golden orange color; an apricot and pineapple nose and palate with distinctly mature notes of slightly rancid meat. Entirely drinkable, having good concentration and excellent acid-driven length. But that rancid note, while not dominating, still drives down the middle lane.
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A very (mostly) German 4th of July (Tank Noodles, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is extremely well balanced with green apples, quince, sweet peaches, nectarines, and some bits of honey. There is a layering to the tones with excellent definition too.
Taste: Full bodied with medium acidity. The feel is plush and sexy with green apples, sweet peaches, nectarines, and pears and quince. There is a lot of depth to this with a fatness at the same time.
Overall: This was fantastic stuff. I wished there was more than a half bottle to drink from, but that's what makes the fleeting moments more fun. This was beautiful and a real treat.
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14 years on this is starting to show a little maturity. The color is a rich gold. The ripe peach and apple aromas have been joined by honey, smoke, spice and a fall, leafy richness. Never a wine to show an acid streak, it is held together with an almost secret structure, that only reveals itself on the mineral tinged finish. This is inviting wine-inviting the next sip and inviting the next glass.
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From 375. Popped and poured. Color straw. Nose started out reticent but then showed brilliant quince, pineapple, and under ripe peaches. This oozes across the palate, seeming a bit flabby at first but then the acids sweep through and propel the mouth coating finish for at least a minute. This intensity should allow this to keep improving for quite awhile I think. Really nice.
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Partying Like It's 1999 (Tabard Inn - Washington, DC): Apples and pears galore on the nose and palate of this Auslese! Additionally, wonderful spring flowers resonate for me along with some apricots and white peaches. Aside from the lush fruit, there was a really nice minerality to this...almost like licking a chalk board that has peach juice on it. Had this with some key lime pie and the combination was great!
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A remarkably different showing than I experienced a couple of years ago, where it was dominated by a lot of botrytis and honey. This bottle (AP#14 again) is all about clarity and freshness; a spectrum of orchard fruits and flowers in fall conveyed with amazing purity and a lightness of touch that makes it incredibly easy and refreshing to drink. Outstanding Riesling.
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From 375. Nice, but not special like I know it has the potential to be. Pear, red apple crisp. At times it tasted like simple sweet pineapple juice, which was a bit of a detractor, as it was lacking appropriate viscosity for a wine. Medium (+) finish redeemed the wine -- it was still a little syrupy, but the finish left me with a happy ending.
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From a split. Too young. Sweet concentration, fresh minerality. Pear and apple and sweet tropical fruits. Needs more acidity, though. The lack of acidity really detracts. This has terrific flavor profile and a very nice long finish.
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Three German producers with AuZone (Danderyd): Golden yellow colour. In the nose obviously developed aromas, some petrol, yellow apple and winter apples, some marzipan. After some time in the glass it showed more perfume and honeyed notes. On the palate it appears semi-sweet with a full-bodied, fruity profile, good acidity, and tastes of yellow apples with marzipan. 90-91 p.
From a 75 cl bottle.
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AP #14-00. Shows much more botrytis than I've noticed in Donnhoff's other Auslese with a dominant butterscotch flavour over honey, peach, flowers, red fruits and faint oily notes. Rich, full bodied and silky in the mouth with moderate acidity, finishing long and creamy.
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Rieslings and Farewell to the Dane (Manor): too young - only started to show when the glasses were almost empty. elegant middle, honey and green apples falling more into yellow apples with time. over time - spicier, with more zing, currants? rich sweetness on the nose, flowers and honey. long finish. HOLD.
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2/14/2024 - acyso wrote: 95 Points
#14-00, 8.5% abv. From half-bottle. Been a while since I had a bottle of Dönnhoff Auslese. A stunner, this one. Elegant and refined, with that old-school Dönnhoff ethereal quality that Terry Theise raved about. A bit of white cherry, green herbs, and smokiness, but also plenty of riesling cut underneath a rich layer of fresh yellow fruit. Impeccably balanced and drinking so very well now.
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1/19/2022 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
#14-00, 8.5% abv. From half-bottle. A difficult rendition of this perennial favourite. The nose shows a little hint of unclean botrytis as well as a smidgen of volatility. The palate lacks the precision and cleanness that the best editions of this have; it's a little diffuse and unfocussed. The sweetness seems to stick out prominently here, and then the acidity on the finish, rather than the two working together; in shorter words, this is a bit disjoint. Still it's quite an excellent bottle of riesling, just not up to the same level as the best vintages.
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4/19/2019 - jmoore431 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very deep golden orange color; an apricot and pineapple nose and palate with distinctly mature notes of slightly rancid meat. Entirely drinkable, having good concentration and excellent acid-driven length. But that rancid note, while not dominating, still drives down the middle lane.
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7/4/2014 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
A very (mostly) German 4th of July (Tank Noodles, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is extremely well balanced with green apples, quince, sweet peaches, nectarines, and some bits of honey. There is a layering to the tones with excellent definition too.
Taste: Full bodied with medium acidity. The feel is plush and sexy with green apples, sweet peaches, nectarines, and pears and quince. There is a lot of depth to this with a fatness at the same time.
Overall: This was fantastic stuff. I wished there was more than a half bottle to drink from, but that's what makes the fleeting moments more fun. This was beautiful and a real treat.
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9/21/2013 - Rieslingfan Likes this wine: 92 Points
14 years on this is starting to show a little maturity. The color is a rich gold. The ripe peach and apple aromas have been joined by honey, smoke, spice and a fall, leafy richness. Never a wine to show an acid streak, it is held together with an almost secret structure, that only reveals itself on the mineral tinged finish. This is inviting wine-inviting the next sip and inviting the next glass.
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7/27/2011 - chcook wrote: 94 Points
From 375. Popped and poured. Color straw. Nose started out reticent but then showed brilliant quince, pineapple, and under ripe peaches. This oozes across the palate, seeming a bit flabby at first but then the acids sweep through and propel the mouth coating finish for at least a minute. This intensity should allow this to keep improving for quite awhile I think. Really nice.
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6/20/2011 - tooch wrote: 92 Points
Partying Like It's 1999 (Tabard Inn - Washington, DC): Apples and pears galore on the nose and palate of this Auslese! Additionally, wonderful spring flowers resonate for me along with some apricots and white peaches. Aside from the lush fruit, there was a really nice minerality to this...almost like licking a chalk board that has peach juice on it. Had this with some key lime pie and the combination was great!
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6/18/2011 - salil wrote: 94 Points
A remarkably different showing than I experienced a couple of years ago, where it was dominated by a lot of botrytis and honey. This bottle (AP#14 again) is all about clarity and freshness; a spectrum of orchard fruits and flowers in fall conveyed with amazing purity and a lightness of touch that makes it incredibly easy and refreshing to drink. Outstanding Riesling.
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7/24/2010 - ews3 wrote: 91 Points
From 375. Nice, but not special like I know it has the potential to be. Pear, red apple crisp. At times it tasted like simple sweet pineapple juice, which was a bit of a detractor, as it was lacking appropriate viscosity for a wine. Medium (+) finish redeemed the wine -- it was still a little syrupy, but the finish left me with a happy ending.
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7/24/2010 - jrobs7777 wrote: 88 Points
From a split. Too young. Sweet concentration, fresh minerality. Pear and apple and sweet tropical fruits. Needs more acidity, though. The lack of acidity really detracts. This has terrific flavor profile and a very nice long finish.
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7/22/2010 - Vintomas wrote: 90 Points
Three German producers with AuZone (Danderyd): Golden yellow colour. In the nose obviously developed aromas, some petrol, yellow apple and winter apples, some marzipan. After some time in the glass it showed more perfume and honeyed notes. On the palate it appears semi-sweet with a full-bodied, fruity profile, good acidity, and tastes of yellow apples with marzipan. 90-91 p.
From a 75 cl bottle.
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1/24/2009 - salil wrote: 92 Points
AP #14-00. Shows much more botrytis than I've noticed in Donnhoff's other Auslese with a dominant butterscotch flavour over honey, peach, flowers, red fruits and faint oily notes. Rich, full bodied and silky in the mouth with moderate acidity, finishing long and creamy.
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11/18/2007 - Mlermontov wrote: 94 Points
Rieslings and Farewell to the Dane (Manor): too young - only started to show when the glasses were almost empty. elegant middle, honey and green apples falling more into yellow apples with time. over time - spicier, with more zing, currants? rich sweetness on the nose, flowers and honey. long finish. HOLD.
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