Riesling Blind Tasting

German and French Riesling were the topic of this blind tasting along with a pirate wine.

• 1993 Hans Wirsching Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg Silvaner Spätlese trocken

  Germany, Franken

  Right away showed some age on the nose. Elegant honey, pineapple and hay.
  Some RS on the palate but not as much as you would expect from the nose.
  A slight herbal bitterness on the finish and diesel notes along a subtle minerality.
  Very interesting and I don't think it will improve anymore.
  13.5%

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• 2005 Hans Wirsching Iphöfer Kronsberg Riesling Spätlese trocken

  Germany, Franken

  A lot of tropical fruits on the nose along honey on the sweet nose.
  Palate shows high acidity with an oily mouthfeel. A nice refreshing bitter grapefruit on the finish. Interesting raspberry note on the mid palate.
  On day 2, this was completely different: much more mineral, smoky with lime and pear with always that great bitterness. The evolution this wine showed makes me think that even thought this has a screwcap, this should be cellared a few more years.
  Well made.
  14.5%

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• 2007 Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Nose was screaming Mosel with lemon, lime and intense minerality. Maybe a touch of honey.
  Palate is not as elegant as the nose with much more exotic fruits (mango) along apple and apricot.
  Very high acid which, on this bottle, did not seem integrated. Almost wondered if this was acidified. Definitely some RS, off dry.
  Overall not bad but really simple.

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• 2007 Weingut Robert Weil Estate Riesling Dry

  Germany, Rheingau

  Very light straw. Somewhat shy nose.
  Lime, lemon and minerals. Dry, elegant, austere with very good acidity and green apple on the palate.
  Really enjoyed it.

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• 2006 Weingut Geschwister Schuch Niersteiner Pettenthal Riesling Kabinett

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Hint of vanilla on the nose along honey and lots of tropical fruits (mango, pinapple, papaya).
  Thick texture, candied pineapple on the finish. Reminds me of a Sauternes, less sweet of course.
  Much less acidity compared to the other wines tasted along.

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• 2006 Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Kapellenberg Riesling Kabinett

  Germany, Nahe

  Nice petrol notes along green apple and lime.
  Off dry, rich and full body but still balanced.
  A little sweeter than its peers. Simple.

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• 2004 Dirler-Cade Riesling Bollenberg

  France, Alsace

  Spices, peach and smoky mineral notes emerged from the nose.
  A little more lemon and grapefruit on the palate. Dry, med body and balanced.
  I like this wine but some strange buttery notes on the finish distract me and I would have liked a little more acidity.

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Overall, this was interesting to see that the wines, most of the time, showed tipicity from their regions.
Also, 2006 showed wines quite full body whereas 2007 showed a little more acidity.
It was great to try other producers than the usual suspects that you always see for Rieslings tastings (Prum, Donnhoff etc...)