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Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Vertical

Trestle on Tenth

Tasted December 4, 2008 by Keith Levenberg with 830 views

Flight 1 (2 notes)

White
2007 Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling Großes Gewächs Germany, Nahe
94 points
A pungent kerosene/floral nose with corresponding beeswaxy flavors combined with a generous richness of fruit that feels plump and dark at first, then turns brighter, unraveling sumptuous orange/tangerine flavors on the lengthy back end. There's a grinding traction to this wine that gives it a dynamic mouthfeel and an austere solidity. A real beauty that, with the 2006, shows the tröcken expressions are unjustly ignored at this address.
White
2006 Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling Großes Gewächs Germany, Nahe
95 points
Relatively mute on the nose in comparison to the 2007, and much deeper and darker in complexion. But it feels fleshier and less acute in texture, eventually turning more pear-like in flavor, then so creamy that it eventually starts reminding me of bananas foster, not just the fruit but also the flambé. The finish is an incredibly lengthy unraveling of white cherries. A beauty and maybe even more fascinating once it warms up when it tastes like it physically turns your mouth into slate.

Flight 2 (2 notes)

White - Off-dry
2007 Weingut Jakob Schneider Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese Germany, Nahe
93 points
A fascinating contrast with the Dönnhoff, it's easy to give this one short shrift since side-by-side it seems the less serious of the two, mostly because it's sweeter and more tropical with a ripe peachy-pear nose. But in fact it's extremely deep-complexioned on the palate with flavors of red cherries and its luscious sweetness in perfect balance.
White - Off-dry
2007 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese Germany, Nahe
94 points
A sharp and gritty nose; somehow you can tell this will feel angular and crystallized just from sniffing it. Indeed, it's much drier than the Schneider and just as angular and screechy as you expect. The structure is in the foreground with the fruit only barely there until the finish where the cherries poke through.

Flight 3 (3 notes)

White - Off-dry
2002 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese Germany, Nahe
90 points
Very pretty -- has a very light touch today, its roundness a real contrast after the more structured and sharp younger wines. It gets sweeter with time though more as a result of the temperature change than the air, I think.
White - Off-dry
1998 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese Germany, Nahe
flawed
Nasty cork and just as nasty in the glass. Not even just the usual wet cardboard TCA, this is far skankier.
White - Off-dry
1990 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese Germany, Nahe
79 points
Sadly over the hill despite some initial promise. Dark golden Sauternes-like in color, it starts out with an expressive scent like a basket of red fruits with a strong cherry flavor; this could almost pass for a rosé! Unfortunately, within a half hour it muddles itself into that generic over-the-hill riesling profile of Mott's apple juice. R.I.P.

Flight 4 (3 notes)

White - Off-dry
2001 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Germany, Nahe
90 points
Candy for grownups! Sweet and creamy. Not much definition but so luscious. Incredibly similar to how this showed on release, actually.
White - Off-dry
1994 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Germany, Nahe
67 points
Some called corked, I disagree since I was able to drink most of a glass, but it sure ain't good. Flat and dull, not fruitless but far from fresh. A boring peach-juice flavor, no real flesh and definitely no edge.
White - Off-dry
1983 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Germany, Nahe
51 points
Chemically contaminated with nasty and extreme volatile acidity. It's hard to bring yourself to drink a glass of paint thinner and the best you can say for it is that it doesn't taste quite as offensive as it smells. I was not willing to attempt a second taste, however.

Flight 5 (2 notes)

White - Off-dry
2003 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Germany, Nahe
92 points
Very bright and tropical as the vintage tends to be, but it actually has a sharper edge than the 2001 and shows a bit more interestingly to me today.
White - Off-dry
2005 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Germany, Nahe
90 points
Not closed up yet! More slatey and minerally than most of the rest today. Nice showing.

Flight 6 (2 notes)

White - Off-dry
2006 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Germany, Nahe
91 points
Shows very well, rich but defined.
White - Off-dry
2007 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel Germany, Nahe
92 points
Immediately appealing for its bright, chiseled freshness and buzzing, vivacious mouthfeel. Among the best of the auslesen today, proving there's no crime in taking these down young.
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