Decanted for several hours in the AM and drunk that afternoon.
A stony nose with some early petrol and strong prophyrrhic notes of Hermannshohle. Soil more than fruit driven at this point. It's powerful but in harmony. On the palate, this is like someone distilled liquid out of Hermannshoehle rocks. It has breadth and depth, is ripe and intense yet not heavy, with the fruit yellow and fruit salad leaning. Some bitters notes add complexity. Expansive and full bodied but with plenty of acidity to carry it. Intensity with poise. A wine of contemplation. Interestingly the last glass left in the a decanter for 30 plus hours was the best glass, with a seamless mineral water level of clarity. I would say that this is at peak, but after the last glass the next day, I wonder if there is more to come. Terrific. Yum. 95
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Sixth bottle from an eight bottle lot purchased in 2008. Pristine bottle. One of those magical moments when everything comes together, when you take the first sniff and the first sip and you know instantly - this is perfection. It happened today. A perfect bottle. It marries the authority of the Rheingau to the elegance of the Moselle, and it has the unmistakeable character of the Nahe. It is fresh and silky-smooth, there is profound minerally depth, the weight is perfect (12.5% ABV) and the balance between the energy of youth and the wisdom af age has reached its apogee. The aromatic complexity and definition is exemplary - a subtle whirlwind of smoke, fruit and flowers. Gentle bitters guide the long and creamy finish. I don’t think that any dry Riesling is capable of greater finesse.
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Not blind First bottle corked. Second bottle very good but not perfect as 3 month ago. A great Expression of 2005 but all other guessed much younger. Still Primary notes together with nicely balanced aging signs. At his Peak. 94
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(Donnhoff Hermannshohle Grosses Gewachs) The nose was one note of citrus that so simplistic that one taster commented that the inoculated yeast strain that was used for this wine was particularly dull as all you smelled was dull citrus. The palate was closed, citric, aspirin-like, acidic and lacking any fruit. No elegance either. On day 2 it was a bit more expressive but just lacked any type of distinction. I mean this is one of the greatest vineyards in the world according to many wine people and the last two bottles I have had, dry mind you, were very very unexceptional.
NOTE: Some content is property of Mosel Fine Wines and JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and View From the Cellar and Rockss and Fruit.
11/10/2023 - cct wrote: 95 Points
Purchased on release
Decanted for several hours in the AM and drunk that afternoon.
A stony nose with some early petrol and strong prophyrrhic notes of Hermannshohle. Soil more than fruit driven at this point. It's powerful but in harmony. On the palate, this is like someone distilled liquid out of Hermannshoehle rocks. It has breadth and depth, is ripe and intense yet not heavy, with the fruit yellow and fruit salad leaning. Some bitters notes add complexity. Expansive and full bodied but with plenty of acidity to carry it. Intensity with poise. A wine of contemplation. Interestingly the last glass left in the a decanter for 30 plus hours was the best glass, with a seamless mineral water level of clarity. I would say that this is at peak, but after the last glass the next day, I wonder if there is more to come. Terrific. Yum. 95
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3/29/2022 - aquacongas wrote: 93 Points
not blind
For a 2005 lean and reluctant. More saline in style than fruit dominated. Mandarine and orange peel. At his peak. 93
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2/20/2021 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 96 Points
Sixth bottle from an eight bottle lot purchased in 2008. Pristine bottle. One of those magical moments when everything comes together, when you take the first sniff and the first sip and you know instantly - this is perfection. It happened today. A perfect bottle. It marries the authority of the Rheingau to the elegance of the Moselle, and it has the unmistakeable character of the Nahe. It is fresh and silky-smooth, there is profound minerally depth, the weight is perfect (12.5% ABV) and the balance between the energy of youth and the wisdom af age has reached its apogee. The aromatic complexity and definition is exemplary - a subtle whirlwind of smoke, fruit and flowers. Gentle bitters guide the long and creamy finish. I don’t think that any dry Riesling is capable of greater finesse.
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7/15/2019 - aquacongas wrote: 94 Points
Not blind
First bottle corked. Second bottle very good but not perfect as 3 month ago. A great Expression of 2005 but all other guessed much younger. Still Primary notes together with nicely balanced aging signs. At his Peak. 94
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7/15/2019 - aquacongas wrote: flawed
First bottle corked
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