WES - Classic German Riesling

In the late Victorian and early Edwardian years, Rieslings from Germany commanded the same esteem and the same high prices as the finest red wines from France. Although many leading authorities still regard Riesling as the greatest of the white grape varieties, the wines are out of fashion and, as a consequence, undervalued. In this tasting we will compare and contrast examples of old and new style Rieslings from some of Germany's best producers.

• 2005 Anton Zimmermann Bernkastel-Kueser Kardinalsberg Riesling Spätlese trocken 88 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Clear and Bright. Lemony pale golden in colour. Bold nose with citrus and a touch of cream. A touch of a floral note and the merest hint of kerosene. Strong acidity on the attack with a refreshing crispness. Lemons, Grapefruit and limes.

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• 2004 Weingut Johannishof (H.H. Eser) Johannisberger Vogelsang Riesling Kabinett V 90 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  Clear and bright, light golden in colour. A lovely sherbet note on the nose with Mandarin oranges and honey and a touch of minerality. Good acidity with a lemon curd like taste and a slightly bitter finish.

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• 2003 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Kabinett 88 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Clear and bright, golden colour. Ginger, lychee, a touch of burnt sugar and oily on the nose. Soft approach in the mouth but still with good acidity. Quite subtle, lychee following through on the palette moving to a more pear-like overall dominant note.

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• 2002 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Kabinett 85 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Clear and bright. Golden. Nose opened with a touch of waxiness with soft baked apples. A touch of oxidation. Some bottle variance was noted in the tasting. Good acidity and minerality, lemons and caramel - almost like a nice lemon tart.

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• 2005 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Spätlese 88 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Golden colour. Great nose with nectar, pollen and lemon honey. A hint of menthol/mint underneath like a ricola cough sweet. Light start, good acidity. Unctuous on the palette with sweetened citrus and honey.

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• 2004 Weingut Josef Leitz Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spätlese 83 Points

  Germany, Rheingau

  Pale lemony colour. Almost salty on the nose with good minerality. Lower acidity on the palette but with a great balance, much more subtle than the previous wine I tasted - perhaps making this tasting a little transitional.

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• 1999 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese 90 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Clear and bright and golden. Age showing with a vegetal start to the nose, honeyed, oily, waxy and a slight oxidised note. Good acidity, not fruit led with a strong minerality and a cinnamon note like a sweet biscuit.

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• 2000 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 90 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Pale lemon. Buttered toast, hint of vanilla and minerality on the nose. Good acidity with grapefruit and honey on the palette. Light and fresh.

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