Terry Theise Tasting - 2006 Rieslings

Terry Theise visited Minneapolis for his annual tasting, sponsored by Surdyk's, one of the largest and best German wine retailers in the country. This event, which was heavily attended by the wine trade as well as consumers, showcased his 2006 German Riesling lineup. Terry was a highly informative and entertaining speaker (and skilled salesman) who discussed vintages, producers, wines, and even the meaning of life and beauty. The wines were poured non-blind, accompanied by cheeses from Surdyk's (also terrific) cheese shop. WOTN for me was the JJ Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese **, which looks to be a great value at $36 as well. A very fun and educational evening.

• 2005 Josef Biffar Riesling Sekt Brut 85 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  Super-ripe bananas/marshmallows on the nose. Really, really dry. Toast and flinty minerals. Finishes with a note of pink bubble gum. Decent, if a bit odd.

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• 2006 Schlossgut Diel Rosé de Diel 87 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Fun, fruity nose of strawberries and watermelon. Sweet, slightly effervescent, and fun. Light oak treatment. Nice acidity. Reminds me of a good Tavel.

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• 2006 Carl Loewen Riesling "Quant" 85 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Pink bubble gum notes on the nose. A hint of sulphur -- possibly slightly reduced or bottle shocked? White honey, light citrus fruit and apples. Moderately sweet.

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• 2006 Jakoby-Mathy Riesling "Balance" 85 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Very light color, almost clear. Light, slightly sweet citrus fruit. Slight salinity gives this a bit of extra texture. Quaffable.

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• 2006 Weingut Reuscher-Haart Piesporter Falkenberg Riesling 83 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Very light gold. Banana/tropical fruit flavors, along with ripe pears. Light spritz. Low to moderate acidity. Light and simple.

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• 2006 Weingut Jakob Schneider Riesling 83 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Almost clear. Light, slightly grassy, and moderately sweet. Floral and bubble gum flavors. Low acid.

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• 2006 J & HA Strub Niersteiner Riesling 83 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  Slightly spritzy. Weightier mouthfeel here, but still simple, showing bubble gum and red apple flavors, with low- to moderate acidity. Possibly bottle shocked / reduced?

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• 2006 Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett 80 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Grassy on the attack. High acid. Pretty hefty in the mouth. This has the body and acid of an Auslese, but not the fruit or minerality. Not very well balanced; reflective of the difficult 2006 vintage for Kabinett-level wines, IMHO.

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• 2006 Weingut Karlsmühle Lorenzhofer Mauerchen Riesling Kabinett 88 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Like the Selbach-Oster, this was made with Auslese-level must weight fruit, and is an Auslese trapped in a Kabinett's body. But this was better, crisper, and lighter, and more plausibly a Kabinett, IMHO. Fig and melon flavors, with good complexity and balance. Interesting earth/acid grip on the finish. Very tasty.

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• 2006 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 89 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Floral and fragrant, with very nice focus and acidity. The sweetness/ripeness level tastes more like a Spätlese than a Kabinett. Good complexity. Well-textured.

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• 2006 Kerpen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 89 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Nice creamy, almost buttery texture. Complex tropical fruit and apple flavors. Floral. Very tasty.

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• 2006 Hexamer Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Riesling Quarzit 87 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Light spritz. Grassier and more acidic-tasting than the others in this flight. Tart green apples. Good complexity and length.

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• 2006 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Spätlese 87 Points

  Germany, Nahe

  Gold color with a greenish tinge. Light spritz. Less focused and precise than the others in this flight. Lightly sweet banana/apple fruit.

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• 2006 Hoffmann-Simon Köwericher Laurentiuslay Riesling Spätlese 90 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  More viscous-looking and thickly textured in the glass. Complex pineapple/tropical fruit, along with spearmint and melon. Nice mineral "ring" to this wine. Excellent.

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• 2006 Alfred Merkelbach Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling Auslese #5 86 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Light gold color. Honey, white peach, and apple. Nice sweetness, but pretty straightforward and simple for an Auslese. I would have liked a little more raciness and minerality here.

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• 2006 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese ** 93 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Creamy apples, apricots, and stony minerality. Layers of complex fruit, almond/marzipan, and flowers. Terrific sweetness/acid balance. Primal. Delicious. WOTN for me.

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