Dee Vine 2003 Germans Part I

The first container of 2003s arrived a little while ago, and after this time to recover, were offered for tasting. I didn't see the usual WLDG suspects, but did meet up with "Chaud-froid" a.k.a. Paul from another forum. But to start, a couple of 2002 auction wines.

• 2002 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett Auction

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $37 at Dee Vine, AP 10-03.
  Rich, savory, tart. This is Kabinett? Open, very enjoyable. Very Good+.

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• 2002 Weingut von Othegraven Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Spätlese Auction

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $35 at Dee Vine, AP 10-03.
  Closed nose but good palate, a bit of petrol. Juicy finish. Very Good.

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• 2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Hassel I Riesling Spätlese

  Germany, Rheingau

  $16, $14 on pre-arrival at Dee Vine, 11%, AP 9-04. This doesn't seem the same weight as the other spätlesen, but it's good. A bit blowsy, but just a bit. Balanced, fruity, a hint of plastic. Good+, actually might be Very Good.

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• 2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Hassel II Riesling Kabinett

  Germany, Rheingau

  $13.50, no pre-arrival discount (what's up with that?), 8.5%. AP 007-04. This is noted on the tasting sheet as "auslese grade taste," and is quite sugary. Not that flavorful in terms of intensity, but pure fruits and, very, very nice. Very Good.

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• 2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Spätlese Goldkapsel

  Germany, Rheingau

  $15.50, again no pre-arrival discount at Dee Vine, 11.0%. AP 31025-011-04. Hmm. Purple Kool-aid, doesn't seem that rich. Decent food wine. Good+. It's an inexpensive Spätlese Goldkap, but I was hoping for more. This is what happens when you don't attend the barrel sample tasting!

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• 2003 Gerhard Al Alba Vinceró Riesling Kabinett trocken

  Germany, Rheingau

  $13.50 at Dee Vine, 13.0%, AP 005-04.
  Rainwater and slate nose, taste the same, with maybe a vanilla/oak note underneath. Balanced, doesn't even really taste German, it's more "normal." Very Good.

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• 2003 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Trocken

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $12 at Dee Vine, 12.5%, AP 2-04.
  Synthetic cork! Austere, stony nose of quartz, and then hot and a little coarse in the mouth. Tasted better than it sounds, Good+.

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• 2003 Weingut Knebel Winninger Brückstück Riesling halbtrocken

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $15 at Dee Vine, 11.5%, AP 2-04.
  This one is really hard to describe. No rating.

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• 2003 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Kabinett

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $13.50 at Dee Vine, 8.5%, AP 7-04.
  Sulphur blows off, but still closed, maybe a little rainwater peeking through. Far softer on the palate than the above, flabby but remains attractive. Good+.

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• 2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Kabinett feinherb

  Germany, Rheingau

  $13 at Dee Vine, 13%, AP 006-04.
  Lush, floral nose, rich and smooth but hot at the same time. Pretty, and full-bodied. Good+.

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• 2003 Josef Rosch Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $20 at Dee Vine, 8.5%, AP 9-04.
  Quiet. Lacks the intensity and density of the Dhroner Hofberger. Closed? Good+.

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• 2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Spätlese Alte Reben #10

  Germany, Rheingau

  $16 at Dee Vine, 12%, AP 10-04.
  More grass. Is there something in the air? Rocks. Less interesting than the regular. Good+.

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• 2003 Weingut Knebel Winninger Röttgen Riesling Auslese

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $35/500 mL at Dee Vine, 8%, AP 13-04.
  Melon, hand lotion. Honey. Oooooh. No more words! Excellent. My wife is gonna kill me, but I got a bottle.

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• 2003 Josef Rosch Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Auslese ***

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $42/500mL at Dee Vine, 9%, AP 11-04.
  Rich, a little lacking in flavor for my taste. This is ***? I'd rather have the Spätlese. Good+.

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• 2003 Weingut Knebel Winninger Röttgen Riesling Spätlese

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $19.50 at Dee Vine, 9.0%, AP 11-04.
  Fine "red" nose, but just explodes in the mouth. Sweet, just enough acid, flowery. Very Good.

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• 2003 Weingut Knebel Winninger Röttgen Riesling Spätlese Alte Reben

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $28 at Dee Vine, 8.5%, AP 10-04.
  Grassy, dry nose paired with <b>sweet</b> full-bodied similar palate. Good+.

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• 2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Spätlese #08

  Germany, Rheingau

  $14 at Dee Vine, 12%, AP 8-04.
  I would guess Sauvignon Blanc from the nose, and this one tastes seriously dry, a shock after the Winninger Röttgen Spätlese. However, it turns out well and I would love to have this with dinner. Very Good. If I had been smart, I would have gotten this instead of the Goldkap.

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• 2003 Josef Rosch Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Spätlese

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $18.50 at Dee Vine, 8.5%, AP 8-04.
  Caramel, fruit, spice, another sweetie, oh, the caramel! Delicious. Very Good+. Picked up a couple of these, just so much fun to drink.

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• 2003 Josef Rosch Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese ***

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $22.50/500mL at Dee Vine, 9%, AP 16-04.
  Oh my. This has the flavor and stuffing to exceed its shy nose. Bubble gum, unidentifiable smells. Very Good+.

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• 2003 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Auslese

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  $24.50/500mL at Dee Vine, 9%, AP 11-04.
  Honey, less lush than the Winninger Röttgen Auslese, more savory. Still pretty darn good. (forgot to give this a rating).

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• 2001 Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach Steinberger Riesling Kabinett Goldkapsel

  Germany, Rheingau

  $21.50 at Dee Vine, 9%, AP 026-02.
  Hard to come down to this. Just off-dry, crisp, solid. Good+.

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• 2000 Etude Pinot Gris

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Bad bottle.

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• 1999 York Creek Vineyards Meritage

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  $45/ 36.75 Dee Vine wine club, 13.5%.
  Cassis, earthy. Not quite ripe? Medium bodied. Good.

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