4/21/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

6th and final bottle. Once again textbook GV with crowd pleaser potential.

4/20/2024 - -Tim- wrote:

Such a pity! My first corked wine in a long while...
Hope my two remaining bottles are not flawed.

4/20/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Only 500L produced each year, vineyard is located in the city centre of beautiful Freiburg at the slope of the Black Forest; maturation in oak barriques.

At initially 9°c too cold, much better after 20-30 min in the glass. Creamy palate with peach and honeydew melon but not sweet (7.5 g/l TA vs 3.3 g/l RS), minerals (gneiss soils), light oak, and summer herbs.
I am looking forward to comparing this to their other Chardonnay GG, the 2020 Blankenhornsberger Doktorgarten.

4/7/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

As good as last year. Will try to lower my pace with my two remaining bottles.

4/6/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

The Kleine Kalmit is a 270m high chalk based hill. Since 2008 the south-exposed vineyard is classified as VDP Lage.

Chalky-salty Pinot Blanc GG, which is also creamy, juicy (white flowers) and fresh (6.9 g/l TA vs 1.1 g/l RS). Excellent food pairing with Kasseler Grüne Soße. Falstaff rated 93p.

4/6/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

From the producer:
"This 62% Carinyena & 38% Garnacha comes from 6 hectares planted in 2007, cool climate, north orientation, elevation between 500 and 650m. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak casks. This wine has been bottled without filtration. Grapes from the Clos d'en Ferran plot. The wine is aged for a total of 15 months in new French oak."

2h decant felt too short, liked it better on day 2. Delicate but elegant palate with dark wild berries, silky tannins, warm stones, light cinnamon, and vanilla (too much of it in the beginning). Excellent Priorat (for 24€ on sale).
Decanter rated 97p, Penin 94p, which seems realistic-ambitious given the potential at this young age of the wine.

4/5/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

One of wines we tried at the beautiful De Wetshof estate and brought home with us.

I like the combination of rather high acidity (7.4 g/l)/freshness and subtle creamy-yeasty notes, such as peach, honey and some nuts (despite no wood being used for maturation).

4/5/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Intense GV Smaragd, which perfectly balances fruitiness (juicy green and red apples, some grapefruit), spicyness (white pepper, herbs), minerals (salt, bitter almonds) and freshness (6.5 g/l TA vs 1.1 g/l RS).

Falstaff rated 95p, Parker 93p and it might get there, as this is currently very early drinking window.

4/2/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Grapes are one third each of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier from about 3 dozen Grand Cru or Premium Cru vineyards. 40-50 % of reserve wines from previous years. 3 years on the lees.

Wasn't sure about the high dosage (9 g/l) but it helps balancing the rather high acidity. There is some freshness from Chardonnay (apricot, lemon), ripe fruits from Pinot, brioche, and smokey minerals.
Better than your average NV Champagne, trying to close the gap to NV from Bollinger, Roederer et al. Suckling and Falstaff rated this 93p.

4/1/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

First BBQ of the year at the German coast.

1h decant felt too short, lots of dry oak (18 months maturation in French oak barrels) and tobacco initially. Really beautiful Malbec after another hour or so, with red and black cherries, tobacco, violets, soft tannins, vanilla, and a long finish. Early drinking window, I guess. Parker rated 93p, Suckling 95p.

4/1/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Bought 5 bottles on sale at 20€ per bottle.

From 35-120 years old vines in the northern Barossa subregion of Ebenezer, aged for 14 months in hogsheads and smaller oak barrels.

Elegant Shiraz with mostly blueberries, mocha, roasted cedar, velvet tannins, fresh acidity (6.7 g/l), and some pepper. This is already very enjoyable but might also further develop within the decade.
Parker rated 91p, Halliday 93p.

4/1/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Even better than 3 years ago when I wrote on CT:
"This is an extraodinary example of Rheingau terroir (crystalline, quartz, flint) and cool climate Riesling with juicy-tangy lime-peach notes and a vibrant finish."

Perfectly balanced this time, fresh acidity and light RS. No difference between day 1 and 2.

3/29/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Brilliant Morillon (Steiermark Chardonnay clone), with an intense creamy palate of white peach, salty minerals, lemon zest, honey, herbs, brioche and nuts. Lovely food pairing with the first asparagus risotto of the year.
Suckling rated 94p, Parker and Fallstaff 93p.

3/17/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Natural Demeter certified Chardonnay from Sven Leiner (who is Jürgen?), unfiltered and 11 months vinification in 500L oak barrels (33% new).

Salty and creamy Chardonnay with reduced fruity notes (pear), upfront acidity (5.2 g/l TA vs 1.5 g/l RS), alpine herbs, and some oak.
Falstaff rated 92+p, not sure if this Chardonnay will further develop.

3/17/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

I really liked Haags 2017 (93p), 2018 (92p), and 2015 (91p), and hence bought six bottles of 2019.

The Brauneberger Juffer is classified as GG since 2012, steep (up tp 70% slope) slate soils.

Intense-complex Mosel-Riesling with salty minerals, mirabelle, smoked herbs, citrus freshness (7.3 g/l TA vs 2.7 g/l RS), light petrol, and a burnt caramel finish. Generally, the finish felt a bit short on day 1 and better on day 2.
Early drinking window, not yet at Parkers 94-96p or Sucklings 95p but could get there in the next one or two decades.

3/16/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Juicy-creamy terroir and micro-climate driven grüner Veltliner with red apples, pineapple (from wood barrel maturation), intense minerals, green summer herbs, and light lime (6 g/l TA vs 1.5 g/l RS).
Suckling rated 93p, Falstaff 92. Excellent value, would buy again.

3/15/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Bought a bottle of each white GG of Staatsweingut Freiburg. Fond memories as I studied in Freiburg; though I would have not been able to afford those fancy wines as a student :-)

Wonderful Pinot Gris with an expressive palate of quince, pear, salty minerals (volcanic soils), and nuts; full bodied and fresh (6.3 g/L TA vs 2.1 g/L RS) at the same time. Might even further improve in the next couple of years.

3/11/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Very consistent with my tasting note from 2023, excellent NV Champagne!

3/9/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Regarding their 2021 vintage I wrote:
"Lovely refreshing notes of gooseberry, elderberry, minerals, and acidity. Crowd pleaser wine!"

2023 also delivers gooseberries and minerals, but also grassy notes, passion fruit and and a mouth watering balance (7.0 g/L TA vs 5.9 g/L RS). Excellent!

3/7/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

This has developed nicely since my last bottle (see tasting note in 2023), lots of honey this time, beeswax as well.

3/4/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Bought this at the vineyard in Heppenheim, Germany after a cellar visit and wine tasting.

Compared to their other wines, Grauburgunder Fass Nr. 1 (pinot gris barrel No. 1) offers some light complexity. Juicy palate with pear, apple, beeswax, and hints of nuts. This is really nice to drink!

3/3/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Well aged Champagne (see may detailed tasting note from 2022) and lovely apero for the first warm Sunday of the year on the terrace.

3/2/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

In 2022 I wrote (91+p):
"Lovely and classic Pauillac with fine tannins, blackberry, iron/graphite, light oak, and earthy notes.
Parker rated 92-94, Suckling 92-93, and Falstaff 92."

Now in 2024 it tastes even better and settled in with more tertiary notes, such as cigar box. Should try to buy more of this!

3/1/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Interesting natural wine!
Reduced nose, 8°c from the wine fridge was too cold. Opened up with time and temperature. Delicate white fruits with none of your typical Sauvignon Blanc notes but lemon balm, white currants as well as minerals and light green herbs. Quite subtle natural wine, which deserves some air.

3/1/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

One of the five De Wetshof Chardonnays we brought home with us after a tasting at the vineyard.

5 months maturation in French oak barriques (10% new).
Straight forward Chardonnay with some peach, chalk, light oak related notes, such as nuts and vanilla, and fresh acidity.
Not as complex as its big brothers like The Site or Bateleur but really nice.

2/29/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Bought 6 bottles in the owc at 25€ each and opened the first one this week.
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. 12 months maturation in oak barrels (33% new).

3h decant. Excellent Poujeaux vintage; I agree with Neil Martins (93-95p) black cherries, Sucklings (92-94p) lavender, Jane Ansons (92p) grippy tannins, and Falstaffs (93p) tobacco notes.

Early drinking window. Looking forward to try the remaining bottles in the next years.

2/22/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Organic wine from Syrah and Grenache grown in the Agly valley. Fermentation in cement vats, 3-4 weeks maceration, and 16-20 months maturation in oak barrels.

Wax capsule, 3h decant. Silky palate with black fruits, spices, licorice, light oak, and a long and intense finish. Would buy again.

Great QPR at 15€ on sale, Dunnuck rated 93-95p and Parker 91-93p.

2/22/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

PetNat style bubbles from Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt grapes; spontaneous fermentation in used oak barrels. Second fermentation in the bottle with added grape most (hence not a PetNat by definition).

Really fresh and light (10.5 % ABV) sparkling wine with some apple cider, grapefruit, yeast and buckthorn. Nice!

2/22/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Consistent with my tasting note from January 2023. High drinkability, also for non-orange wine enthusiasts.

2/22/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Koreaa refers to the Ried/Lage (site) Fürstliches Prädium. From Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger, Scheurebe, Weißburgunder, Welschriesling, and Zweigelt grapes, which are grown together at Koreaa (i.e. as Gemischter Satz). 3 days mazeration; maturation in large oak barrels.

Regarding their 2022 vintage I wrote on CT:
"Excellent organic natural wine, love it! Oranges, grapefruit, pear, cool mint, and floral notes at the same time."

2021 is similar to 2022 but feels a bit more balanced. Could be due to longer maturation in the bottle or vintage variability.

2/22/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Same note as last year. Easy drinking and straight forward natural Grüner Veltliner.

2/19/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Lovely design of label, agrafe and paper (!) capsule!

Thibault and Alizée Tassin own 1 ha of vines, separated in Les Fioles (pinot noir) and Dalivard (chardonnay). 100% organic and sustainable wines, which are matured in burgundy wood barrels and then spent 3 years in the bottle prior release (zero dosage). This is their first vintage produced (2143 bottles).

The Tassins did a great job here! The pinot noir notes are evident with predominantly raspberry notes but the freshness in combination with chalky minerals, subtle wood, and yeast delivers an excellent balance of complexity and drinkability.

2/18/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Hand-picked grapes from 40 year old vines, 10 months on fine lees, and maturation in large oak barrels.

Excellent terroir driven Chardonnay with a creamy texture, pear, salty-bitter minerals, nuts, light yeast, and herbs.
At its current very young stage already very impressive, could easily improve within this decade. 91+p

2/17/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Eigth, final and best bottle so far.
Creamy, complex, tropical, nutty, fresh and so lovely to drink!

2/16/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Would never have guessed Franken in a blind tasting, rather Rheingau or maybe Rheinhessen due to the crystalline minerality and bone dryness (8 g/l TA vs 1.2 g/l RS). The fruity side is somehow in balance with citrus (of course), tangerine, and something tropical (mango?). And don't forget the petrol and the creamy finish.
Amazing Riesling GG! Lobenberg stated that this is one of the top German Rieslings of 2015 and rated 100p. I'd rather agree with Sucklings 94p and his verdict regarding its "super-natural freshness".

2/15/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Excellent natural Chardonnay from the Seckinger brothers with an intense combination of chalky minerals, cocos-vanilla notes from new 800l oak barrels, peach, light yeast, and green herbs.
Much more complex than their entry level Blanc pure wine, which we tried last month.

2/11/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

I quite liked their 2019 and hence bought a bottle of 2020.
Made of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Syrah. 8 months maturation in French oak barriques, 6 more in bottle prior release.
3h decant, which seemed fine. Excellent smooth palate with silky tannins, black berries, tobacco, coffee, and dried sage. Crowd pleaser wine but also nice for wine aficionados.
Parker and Suckling rated this 93p, not sure if it will get there.

2/11/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

10-12 months barrique maturation in French oak barrels, 20% new. Grapes were picked in the early morning when temperature - close to the ocean - was still low.
Pretty creamy Chardonnay with pear, bitter almonds, smokey oak, vanilla, minerals, and some freshness (7 g/l TA vs 2.6 g/l RS).
Don't drink too cold as bitter notes are more prominent.

2/10/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Third and final bottle. 2.5h decant this time.

In 2022 I wrote:
"The palate felt superbly balanced and structured with black cherries, coffee, oak, velvet tannins but light freshness (5.8 g/L TA vs 2.8 g/L RS) as well."

The current bottle was way more mature with light brown rims, less freshness, coffee, light madeira notes, and cherries. Could be due to storage in SA; otherwise: drink up!

2/10/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

My previous tasting notes for 2008, 2013 and 2019 were in the 87-88p range.
Must say that I like 2021 somewhat better, i.e. less one-dimensional. Refreshing palate with gooseberry, lemon, and excellent minerality. Nice apero!

2/8/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Natural wine with spontaneous fermentation and without filtration.

Needs some air. Complex terroir based Sauvignon Blanc with gooseberries, chalk, smoke, grapefruit, bacon (?), tannins and nuts. Definitely not your ordinary Sauvignon Blanc!

2/8/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Wax capsule.
Bourgogne based Chardonnay with white pear, acaicia, nuts, light yeast, freshness and vanilla. The oak is evident, I quite like it!

2/4/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Very interesting PetNat from Gelber Muskateller grapes with just 10.5% ABV.
Creamy foam for the first glass. Lovely summer bubbles, which is nicely balanced (6.5 g/l TA vs 3.2 g/L RS), with pineapple, melon, flowers, and some Federweißer notes.

2/4/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Cuvée of Roussanne and Viognier, which has spent 12 months in new French oak barrels.

Lots of oak here, resulting in tropical notes (mango, pineapple) and an intense vanilla finish, but also some nuts and honey. Viognier based fruit (pear) upfront, which makes the Elixir less one-dimensional.

2/4/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Cuvée of Merlot, Cabernet Dorsa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufränkisch and Syrah. Maturation in new and used oak barrels.

Dark black colour. Old school palate with black and red cherries, coarse tannins, dark chocolate, and herbs. Quite untypical for a German red wine.

2/4/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Generally, I am not a Primitivo fan, as they often tend to be jammy and sweet (18 g/l RS are still declared as "dry").

Made from 75 year vines and maturation for one year in French and American oak barrels. 15.5 % ABV.
2.5 h decant. Dark red-black colour. Concentrated palate with dark berries, smooth tannins, tobacco, and vanilla. Not too sweet but less alcohol would be fine.

2/2/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Kalkofen refers to a lime kiln which was located at the site some 500 years ago. The chalk (and loam-marl) soil is still there and defines the vineyard, which was planted in 1968 (5 ha).

Complex silky palate with intense chalky minerals, light pineapple, bitter almonds, juicy yellow plums, salty-herbal notes, fine tannins, and brilliant RS-TA balance.
No surprise Parker rated this 93p. Mid drinking window I assume.

2/2/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

We had a wonderful private tasting at De Wetshof on their beautiful premises last year. We managed to try nine of their wines and bring four home with us on the plane, all Chardonnays (Calcrete, Bon Vallon, The Site, Bateleur), as they are imo the prime Chardonnay producer of SA.

From the producer:
"Calcrete Chardonnay is exclusive to the limestone-rich wine appellation between Bonnievale and Robertson. Here the distinctive terroir ranges from calcareous out crops to arid, broken-shale, both features resulting from ancient petrified maritime deposits. Calcrete defines the wines from this unique Chardonnay region, their crystal line character, nuances of wet stone, saline palate and oysters hell minerality being highlighted by the linear unwooded profile. An abundance of free limestone is complemented by a heavy clay component ensuring excellent water-retention and adding structure and fullness to the wines. These soils have the highest free lime content and the highest pH of all the soils on De Wetshof. This adds complexity and structure to the wines, allowing optimum varietal expression with classic Chardonnay flavours of soft grape fruit and nuts."

This results in a fresh Chardonnay with limited complexity (compared to The Site et al.), lovely acidity, chalk, yellow fruits, and hints of nuts.

1/28/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

Natural wine. "R" refers to Ruppertsberg, as German wine classification does not allow to publish the specific vineyards on the label for this "simple" Landwein.

Entry level natural wine with 80% Pinot Blanc and 20% Gewürztraminer. Needs some air as acidity dominates the palate initially. Palate with fresh yellow fruits, lemon, grippy tannins, and salty minerals.
I assume this should be enjoyed rather sooner than later.

1/27/2024 - -Tim- Likes this wine:

100% organic Blanc de Pinot Meunier grapes from Chatillon sur Marne, Serzy, Mareuil le port. 0 g/l dosage. 3 years maturation in bottle prior release.

Very distinctive and aromatic Champagne with lovely fresh notes (gooseberry?), cherries, brioche, chalky minerals, and fine bubbles.