12/8/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Colour: med gold, bright, clear.
Nose: v full, opulent notes of butterscotch, raisins, apricots
Taste: med body, rounded, v opulent, butterscotch, good acidity, v ripe raisins, tannic notes, long finish, ripe, relatively dry in spite of honeyed notes.
Overall, a discovery. Unusual!

12/8/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Update on my previous note.
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 4.2 g/l
Acidity 7.9 g/l
SITE: Our family’s favourite Riesling vineyard is situated
on the hill just behind the winery: Ried Koegl. South
facing stone walled terraces sheltered from westerly
winds by the offshore Steiner Kreuzberg. These ancient
terraced vineyards are characterized by schist, mica-slate
and gneiss. The Koegl vineyard is located directly along
the border between Stein/Donau and Krems/Donau,
extending into both towns.
VINIFICATION: Harvest end of Oct.; picked by hand;
destemmed before crushing, gravity fed into press; skin
contacting for 10 hours; separation of the press- and free
run juice; sedimentation in the juice for 48hrs; first
racking of partly cloudy grape juice off sediment;
fermented in stainless steel at approx. 18°C for six weeks;
2 weeks settling, then racking off the gross lees. Fine lees
contact until before the summer 2021; earth filtration;
bottling in July 2021.
Source: winery website.
Tasted again ahead of a wine pairing with Cantonese cuisine at Poon's Wontoneria, London in three days time.

Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh yet almost opulent, white peaches, floral notes
Taste: light/med body, rounded, great fruit/acid balance, peaches again, long finish, rounded yet dry, lingering peaches and nectarines.
Overall, a slight surprise as used to more spicy Rieslings from the region. Will go well with the seabass steamed with wood ear mushrooms, lily petals, goji berries and red dates, in a touch of finest Poon's Premium First Press Soy Sauce from Kaohsiung.

12/1/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Up against their Kastanienbusch GG 2020.
Die nach Süden ausgerichtete VDP.GROSSE LAGE® GANZ HORN in der Einzellage Im Sonnenschein zeichnet sich besonders durch ihre geologisch ‚jungen‘ Böden aus. Während in der Lage Im Sonnenschein die Verwerfungen des Rheinbeckens sehr verschiedene – dabei auch besonders alte und sonst tiefliegende Geologien etwa aus der Trias (220 Millionen Jahre alt) – an die Oberfläche befördert haben, bestehen die Böden in der GL GANZ HORN aus rund einer Million Jahre altem Hangschotter mit den Bestandteilen Buntsandstein, Kies, Lehm und Sand. Diese wurden nach den Eiszeiten hier hertransportiert und an den Hängen des Queichtals abgelagert. Diese durchlässigen Böden eignen sich gut für Riesling, der hier auch in der Mehrheit wächst. Die Weinberge liegen auf 160 bis 180 Meter Seehöhe und haben eine Neigung von 5 bis 20 Prozent. Geschichte: Alle Weinberge der alten Lage „Siebeldinger Ganshorn“ verschwanden mit der Weingesetzänderung 1971 und wurden zu „Im Sonnenschein“.
Klassifizierte Fläche 2,54 ha
Klassifizierte Rebsorte/-n Riesling
In der Lage arbeitende VDP.Winzer
Ökonomierat Rebholz | Zum Weingut
Ausrichtung S
Höhe 170-185m ü. N. N.
Neigung 5-10%
Boden Hangschotter, bunter Sandstein
Source: VDP Weinberg Online

Alle Weinberge der alten Lage "Siebeldinger Ganshorn" wurden mit der Weingesetzänderung 1971 zu "Im Sonnenschein". Im Gegensatz zu den Weinbergen, die heute bei uns diesen Lagennamen führen, ist der Boden der Riesling-Parzelle geologisch betrachtet recht jung, nämlich ein Hangschotter, der erst vor etwa einer Million Jahren gebildet wurde. Diese Mischung aus Buntsandstein, Kies, Lehm und Sand ist schon seit jeher eine besonders gute Grundlage für Riesling Reben.

Durch das rasche Erwärmen und die geringe Wasserspeicherung des Buntsandstein-Verwitterungsbodens sind die Reben etwas schwächer im Wuchs. Charakteristisch für Rieslinge von dieser Art des Buntsandsteins sind sehr fruchtige Aromen. Typisch ist außerdem ein Säureabgang, der stark an feinstes Meersalz erinnert.
Source: winery website

Colour: med gold, bright, clear.
Nose: v full, ripe, opulent Pfalz varietal notes, different from the K GG. Fresher.
Taste: light/med body, rounded, musky heading for Alsace, moscatel notes, long v dry finish, almost a touch astringent lingering on grapefruit.
Both this and the Kastanienbusch have surprised me by their mixture of Pfalz opulence and Alsace spice. Enjoyable and definitely a food wine.

12/1/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Die VDP.GROSSE LAGE® KASTANIENBUSCH liegt windgeschützt in einem Talkessel zwischen 180 und 300 Metern Seehöhe am Fuße des Hohenberges mit seinen vielen Kastanienbäumen. Durch die zum Teil sehr steile Süd-Exposition entstehen tagsüber recht hohe Temperaturen, in der Nacht kühlt es jedoch aufgrund der Höhenlage wieder stärker ab. Das führt zu einem frühen Austrieb und einer langen Reifephase der Trauben mit sehr feiner Aromenbildung. Etwas Besonderes sind auch die verschiedenen Böden. So findet sich in der GL KASTANIENBUSCH Rotliegendes, ein skelettreicher, sehr eisenhaltiger Schieferboden, sowie Buntsandsteinverwitterung und kalkhaltige Böden mit Kalkmergeleinlagerungen und etwas Feinerde. Je nach Bodentyp, haben die Winzer unterschiedliche Rebsorten angebaut. Die Steigung liegt zwischen 15 und 30 Prozent.
Klassifizierte Fläche 29,28 ha
Klassifizierte Rebsorte/-n Riesling
In der Lage arbeitende VDP.Winzer
Kranz | Zum Weingut
Ökonomierat Rebholz | Zum Weingut
Dr. Wehrheim | Zum Weingut
Ausrichtung S
Höhe 160-320m ü. N. N.
Neigung 10-35%
Boden Rotliegend
Source: VDP Weinberg Online.

Unser Weinberg im Kastanienbusch ist die höchstgelegene VDP.Große Lage der Pfalz. Der Kastanienbusch ist eine der bekanntesten Einzellagen an der Südlichen Weinstraße. Der Name leitet sich von den vielen Esskastanienbäumen ab, die in unmittelbarer Nähe wachsen.

Vor Generationen erkannte man den Wert dieser Lage, der auf sein spezielles Kleinklima und wertvolle Böden aus Rotliegendem zurückzuführen ist. Das Rotliegende ist vor 280 Mio. Jahren entstanden und kam durch einen Einbruch des Rheingrabens vor 45 Mio. Jahren wieder an die Oberfläche. Dadurch liegt das traditionelle Kernstück des Kastanienbuschs in einem natürlichen Talkessel, welcher die Lage vor kalten Winden schützt.
Source: winery website.

Compared against their Ganz Horn GG 2020.
Colour: med gold, bright, clear.
Nose:full, v ripe, hint of musk, a touch reductive (?), citrus, notably grapefruit, typical Pfalz fatness
Taste: light/med body, rounded, full on ripeness, touch musky, moscatel and citrus, a bit awkward it seems, v dry med finish, grapefruit.
Overall, very much a food wine that needs resolving.

11/19/2023 - Michael Mackenzie wrote:

Not sure about this, particularly at the price point. Full bodied CS but not c complex.

11/19/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Good to taste against the Cakebread North Coast SB 2022. This is more complex given the Semillon component. Enjoyable.

11/19/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Classic Cakebread winemaking. V good SB flavours, well rounded and enjoyable.

11/19/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

From the Hirondelle vineyard in Stags Leap. 14.4% ABV.
Colour: v deep cherry red. V thin rim, purple tinge.
Nose: full, fresh, ripe morello cherry, tea notes too.
Taste: med body, rounded, soft tannins but quite hot predictably, Morello cherry, good acidity as to be expected, med finish, dry, ripe cherry fruit.
Overall, a fascinating take on CF when compared with the Loire. More fruit driven yet also elegant and subtle in flavour.

11/9/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Great notes preceding this one. Concur with all.
Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, intense stone fruit with some floral notes
Taste: light body, rounded, bright, crisp, stone fruits, good acidity, long dry finish, spice, stove fruits.
Overall, a stunning wine that is still a baby.

11/6/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Great note by Winetally. Fully concur.
Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, rounded, mealy notes and some clay. Good varietal notes.
Taste: light body, rounded, ripe fruit and mealy flavours, good acidity, long finish, dry, ripe, good classic Chablis energy.
Overall, very enjoyable if lacking some precision.

11/5/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

2035 bottles produced. 13% ABV.
Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, quite obvious varietal notes, floral too, New World
Taste: light/ med body, rounded, fresh, good pear drop, stone fruit and floral flavours, good acidity, med finish, dry good fruit.
Overall, refreshing and enjoyable Chenin Blanc.

11/4/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Description Grechetto di Salviano is made from 100% Grechetto di Todi grapes, which is an ancient indigenous grape from the lands surrounding the medieval village of Todi. At Salviano the Grechetto grapes used to make this wine come from the most important vineyards that are between 20-25 years old. Harvest is in late September, and careful selection is used in these vineyards as all grapes are collected manually.

Grape Variety 100% Grechetto di Todi
Altitude 400 meters
Soil Tuffaceous with fine gravel.
Name & Age of the Vineyards Castello and Apparita; 20 to 25 years
Training Guyot
Harvest Manual harvest, taking place during the second half of September. Grechetto di
Todi is one of the last white varieties on the property to be harvested.

Vinification and Finishing Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes undergo destemming and a soft pressing. The must undergoes a static clarification process at a low temperature and subsequently, part of the must ferments in steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, while another part of the must ferments in terracotta amphora at around 20 degrees Celsius. This is followed by aging on the lees until the following March to enrich its organoleptic characteristics. Prior to bottling, the wine is filtered with cartridges made of potassium caseinate. Finally, the wine is left to develop in bottle for a minimum of four
months before release.
Production: 3,500 bottles
Source: winery website

Colour: med gold, surprising copper hue, bright, clear
Nose: full, opulent, quince, tropical fruits, sl floral too.
Taste: light body, q rounded but hot (14%), quince, mod balance, med finish, dry, sl astringent, oxidative notes reflecting the colour.
Overall, enjoyable but quizzical. Do the amphorae produce oxidative effect? Comes with great pedigree, Corsini plus Incisa. Work in progress?

11/4/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Does not like this wine:

This is as bad as the Deliciosa is good!
The palate is dominated by dry old cask flavours, astringent.
Sorry, I am not buying this again. Stick to the Deliciosa!

11/2/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Colour: light med gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, creamy and ripe, good varietal notes on the opulent end of the scale.
Taste: light/med body, rounded and creamy, good acidity to balance the v ripe fruit, powerful mid palate and long finish, dry, v good ripe varietal notes complemented by classic Chablis austerity and mineral notes.
Overall, very enjoyable. Classic Premier Cru Chablis that humbles its supposedly grander Côtes de Beaune cousins. A revelation for an uncertain vintage.

10/31/2023 - Michael Mackenzie wrote:

Supposedly vinified in amphorae.
Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, very clayey, ripe fruit, nectarines, rounded,
Taste: light/med body, rounded, almost opulent, ripe nectarines although slightly medicinal notes, med finish, same flavours.
Overall, this does not have the purity and fruit of the Kögl 2021.

10/31/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Tasted from a full bottle rather late for an En Rama.

Produced from 100% Palomino grapes grown on white albariza soils at Hidalgo’s highest quality vineyards of El Cuadrado at Balbaina Alta. This Spring 2023 release is available in limited quantities (only 35 barrels with a capacity of 1,000 litres of the solera are used). Tasting note: Intense, complex and balanced on the nose, this En Rama has a wonderful salty character influenced by the close proximity of the cellars in Sanlúcar de Barrameda to the sea (only 500m away) as well as the altitude of the Balbaina vineyard (100m). Matured using the traditional “Criaderas y Solera” process in American oak casks, under a layer of “flor” integrated by the yeasts, the wine is intensely gold with green tints. At 15% alcohol, it is perfect served as an aperitif with salted nuts, olives and jamon or with fish, seafood, asparagus or artichokes. One sip and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Cathedral Style Bodega. Winemaker's notes!
Colour: light gold, sl copper tinge, bright, clear.
Nose: full, very fresh, salty, almonds, direct rather than rounded.
Taste: light body, again direct, frank, saline, v dry, almost austere yet good, fresh fruit. Long finish, v dry, yeasty, malted notes too that linger.
Overall, most enjoyable and complex. More full bodied than the Deliciosa Manzanilla of Valdespino of similar bottling (L230892)/

10/28/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Die VDP.GROSSE LAGE® RAUSCH liegt im zentralen Hang – etwa an der Stelle mit dem historischen Namen „Franzens Knüppchen“ – unterhalb des bewaldeten Kegels der Einzellage Rausch und überschaut das Städtchen Saarburg in Richtung Saar. Sie ist nach Südost und Süden orientiert und dreht sich leicht in ein Seitental der Saar hinein. Die Weinberge haben eine Steigung von 35 bis 75 Prozent und ziehen sich über 160 bis 295 Meter Seehöhe. Die GL RAUSCH ist windgeschützt und liegt den ganzen Tag in der Sonne. Der Untergrund ist steinig und wird von Grauwacke und weichem, dünnblättrigem Devonschiefer und rötlicher Feinerde bestimmt – auf Grund eines Durchbruchs vulkanischer Schichten findet sich auch Basalt (Diabas). Geschichte: Der Name leitet sich von der alten Dialektbezeichnung „Steinrausch“ oder „Rusche“ für Geröll ab.


LAGENSTECKBRIEF

ANBAUGEBIET
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
KLASSIFIZIERTE FLÄCHE 22,70 ha
KLASSIFIZIERTE REBSORTE/-N Riesling
IN DER LAGE ARBEITENDE VDP.WINZER
Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken | Zum Weingut
Dr. Wagner | Zum Weingut


GEOLOGISCHE DATEN

AUSRICHTUNG S
HÖHE 160-295m ü. N. N.
NEIGUNG 35-75%
BODEN Devonschiefer, Diabas

Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, v ripe, citrus,
Taste: light body, rounded, slatey at first leading to ripe varietal citrus notes. Med finish, crisp yet good sweetness, perhaps lacking a touch of focus.
Overall, enjoyable.

10/27/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

The note by Reblaus84 sums up this wine well.
Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: v full, ripe and rounded, peach, pear leading on to floral notes and almond. In sum v aromatic.
Taste: light/med body. Rounded, v ripe, honeyed notes at first, almost sweet, apricot, pear, long finish, pears, ripe, rounded, dry but opulent.
Overall, a good sequel to previous vintages although the 2021 disappointed.

10/27/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Retasted half bottle of L230892 against a bottle of L221172.
The latter is much fuller and riper on the nose and broader on the palate. Both good in their different ways but the L23 wins out on freshness, structure and finish. It gets 91 to the L22’s 89 mainly because of the traditional saline flavour against the more Fino notes of the L22.

10/23/2023 - Michael Mackenzie wrote:

Battle done again against the Deliciosa (see previous note).
The latter is the clear winner as the TP is in a clumsy phase. Yeasty and lacking the freshness of the Deliciosa L230892.

10/23/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Battle joined again with the TP ER 2023.
This half bottle of Deliciosa is from L230892 so presumably fresher than my last bottle.
Colour: light gold, bright, clear. Barely a copper tinge.
Nose: q full, v fresh, saline followed by good fruit. Elegant!
Taste: light body, assertive rather than rounded, again v saline and direct but good varietal notes follow. Med finish, crisp, fresh, v dry.
Overall, much better than the TP which is rather clumsy now.

10/16/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Colour: v light gold, bright, clear.
Nose : q full, mealy at first, good varietal notes
Taste: light body, rounded, ripe, good varietal flavours, med finish, dry, sl mealy, good fruit notes.
Overall, enjoyable if lacking in structure .

10/14/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Beschreibung: Die Riede Burgstall bezeichnet ein rund 30m emporragendes
Felsplateau, östlich an Unterloiben angrenzend. Der Name geht auf
eine kleine Befestigung zurück, die im Mittelalter zur Verteidigung der
Nutztiere gegen Angreifer errichtet und urkundlich bereits 1248
erwähnt wurde. Es wird weiters vermutet, dass hier die Siedlung
„Liupna“ gelegen war, von der sich der Ortsname „Loiben“ ableiten
könnte.
Seehöhe und Ausrichtung: 200–205 m, ebenes Hochplateau
Gesamtgröße: 5,7 ha gesamt davon 1,1 ha von uns bewirtschaftet
Geologie: Der sonnenverwöhnte und luftige Weingarten besteht aus reinem
Gneis- und Granitboden mit einer seicht angewehten Sandauflage.

Ernte: Handlese, gelesen am 15.Oktober 2021
Vinifikation: Trauben aus Umstellung auf biologische Bewitschaftung. Je nach
Jahrgang werden die Trauben gerebelt und die Beeren händisch
sortiert oder die ganze Traube nur gequetscht, bis zu 6 Stunden
Maischestandzeit, vergoren und ausgebaut im Stahltank, rund 5
Monate Feinhefelager im großen Holzfass. Verkaufsstart Anfang Mai
2022.

ABV: 13,0 vol.%, TA: 8,0 g/l, RS: 4,5 g/l
Source: winery website

Colour: light gold, bright, clear
Nose: still quite closed, spicy rather than fruit driven
Taste: med body, rounded, ripe fruit wrapped in spice and citrus, still very young and tightly wound, good fruit/acid balance, long finish, dry, rounded, spice and grapefruit.
Overall, still a baby but delighted our dinner guests

Worth noting that there are three entries for this wine on this website and that from the 2021 vintage, FX has left the Vinea Wachau so no more Smaragd on the label.

10/3/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Retasted against two August Eser GLs, Nussbrunnen and Doosberg 2019.
This impresses by its saline freshness as against the opulence of the others.
The RS at a mere 1.9 gr/l makes all the difference compared to the 6 or so gr/l of the others.

Retasted vacuvined after 36 hours. This blows the Eser wines away by its dry minerality and precision. A great wine.

10/2/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Retasted against the Doosberg 2019. This comes out well, spicy and straight, perhaps a bit unilinear without the roundness and volume of the Doosberg.

10/2/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Retasted against the Nussbrunnen 2019. Overall, this is a fuller, more complete wine. Although the RS is marginally lower, it comes across as more opulent. The Nussbrunnen is straighter, spicier but does not have the volume.

9/29/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Die VDP.GROSSE LAGE® DOOSBERG befindet sich am östlichen Rand der Rheingauer Gemeinde Oestrich. Der ständige Wind, der hier herrscht, bringt besonders im Herbst Vorteile, denn er trocknet die Reben nach Regen und Nebel. Das schützt die Trauben vor Pilzbefall. Die GL DOOSBERG ist mit 5 bis 10 Prozent Neigung nach Süden bis Südwesten ausgerichtet und befindet sich in 110 bis 130 Metern Höhe. Die Böden sind von Karbonhaltigem Lösslehm, z.T. mit Terrassensedimenten. Durch die Kiesbänder und die Hangneigung, die eine schiefe Ebene darstellt, können die Böden gut Wasser einlagern. Die GL DOOSBERG ist eine Rieslinglage. Geschichte: Der Name leitet sich von „Dachsberg“ ab, da in den lehmigen und auch humusreichen Böden sich einst Dachse gerne ansiedelten.
Source VDP website.
Large at 61.42 has.

Tasted against the 2020 and 2021 with friends over Cantonese cuisine.
Showed best of the three in complexity, balance and depth. V good fruit/acid balance, length and precision of flavours.
Like the other wines in the stats, this is:
ABV: 12.5%, RS: 6 gr/l, TA: 7.4 gr/l.

9/29/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Die VDP.GROSSE LAGE® DOOSBERG befindet sich am östlichen Rand der Rheingauer Gemeinde Oestrich. Der ständige Wind, der hier herrscht, bringt besonders im Herbst Vorteile, denn er trocknet die Reben nach Regen und Nebel. Das schützt die Trauben vor Pilzbefall. Die GL DOOSBERG ist mit 5 bis 10 Prozent Neigung nach Süden bis Südwesten ausgerichtet und befindet sich in 110 bis 130 Metern Höhe. Die Böden sind von Karbonhaltigem Lösslehm, z.T. mit Terrassensedimenten. Durch die Kiesbänder und die Hangneigung, die eine schiefe Ebene darstellt, können die Böden gut Wasser einlagern. Die GL DOOSBERG ist eine Rieslinglage. Geschichte: Der Name leitet sich von „Dachsberg“ ab, da in den lehmigen und auch humusreichen Böden sich einst Dachse gerne ansiedelten.
Source: VDP website.
Large at 61.42 has.

Tasted against the 2019 and 2021 over a Cantonese dinner with friends. This came second behind the 2019 and ahead of the 2021.
This is a typical rounded 2020 with good stuffing but lacks the complexity of the 2019.
V similar stats to the other two with:
ABV: 13% (highest of three), RS: 6.1 gr/l, TA: 7.3 gr/l.

9/29/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Die VDP.GROSSE LAGE® DOOSBERG befindet sich am östlichen Rand der Rheingauer Gemeinde Oestrich. Der ständige Wind, der hier herrscht, bringt besonders im Herbst Vorteile, denn er trocknet die Reben nach Regen und Nebel. Das schützt die Trauben vor Pilzbefall. Die GL DOOSBERG ist mit 5 bis 10 Prozent Neigung nach Süden bis Südwesten ausgerichtet und befindet sich in 110 bis 130 Metern Höhe. Die Böden sind von Karbonhaltigem Lösslehm, z.T. mit Terrassensedimenten. Durch die Kiesbänder und die Hangneigung, die eine schiefe Ebene darstellt, können die Böden gut Wasser einlagern. Die GL DOOSBERG ist eine Rieslinglage. Geschichte: Der Name leitet sich von „Dachsberg“ ab, da in den lehmigen und auch humusreichen Böden sich einst Dachse gerne ansiedelten.
Source: VDP website.
Large at 61.42 has.

Tasted over a Cantonese dinner with friends against the 2019 and 2020. Difficult to write notes but this was a typically fresh, fruity 2021, bright and pleasant.
Interestingly the RS, TA and ABV on all three were almost identical.
This wine: ABV: 12%, RS: 6.4 gr/l, TA: 7.1 gr/l.

9/24/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Nussbrunnen GG is only 2.2 has. Low lying near the Rhine, sandy loam, tertiary marl and deep löss, protected from the North Wind and benefiting from the valley's intense sun. It is at the same height as and almost next to Engelmannsberg EL.
ABV: 12.9%, RS: 6.4 gr/l, TA: 7.3 gr/l. 100° Oechsle, harvested 28/9/19.
Colour: light/med gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, ripe, fruity varietal notes, tiny hint of botrytis,
Taste: med body, rounded, some alcoholic heat, ripe varietal fruit, good balance with acidity, med finish, spice, fruit. The RS wins over the TA.
Overall, compared to the 2021 Engelmannsberg 2021, you can see the step up here. That said, the lower RS of the latter (5 gr/l) and the fresh fruit gives this wine a run for its money. Clearly a food wine. Perhaps lacks a bit of focus due to the RS in the finish.

9/23/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Does not like this wine:

Up against Domaine du Haute Perche Anjou Villages Brissac 2017 (see separate note).
Burnt rubber ruins everything.

9/23/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Tasted against Musset-Roullier's Les Neuf Vingt 2019. 100% CF as against 25% CS here.
Colour: med deep red, thin rim, purple tinge
Nose: full, fresh, sl volatile, clearly notice the cassis of the CS which gives a complexity to the freshness of the CF.
Taste: light/med body, tannic from the outset, red fruits, acidity marked, med finish, dry, tannic, fruit a bit subdued, if anything more CS flavours.
Overall, perhaps a bit disappointing. The old régime before the sale. On balance, I prefer the frank freshness of the M-R. Straight up Loire terroir and cépage.

9/23/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Tasted against an August Eser Hattenheimer Engelmannsberg Trocken 2021.
Colour: light gold, sl green tinge, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, spicy and taut, light varietal notes, floral
Taste: light/med body, rounded, spice and a bit of heat at first, good varietal notes follow, med finish, v dry, fruit and spice.
Overall, surprised as this has more spice than the Rheingau wine, which, blind, I would put in the Pfalz!
Clear winner against the Eser.

9/23/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Tasted against the 2021.
ABV: 11.5%, RS: 7.3 gr/l, TA: 7.9 gr/l.
2021: 11.5%, RS: 5 gr/l, TA: 7.5 gr/l
Colour: pale gold, bright, clear.
Nose: q full, fresh, spicier than the 2021, floral,
Taste: light body, rounded, notice the RS, floral, acidity also comes through, med finish, med dry, floral, some spice.
Overall, while pleasant, this terroir yields an ok wine. For the same price you get their Rüdesheimer Bishofsberg, which is a clear cut above.

9/23/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Retasted against the 2022. Clear similarity reflecting the terroir.
This is much more open and seemingly riper. 2.5 gr less RS and similar TA with 0.5% more ABV.
Refreshing and enjoyable with good Rheingau spice but the short finish still disappoints a bit.
For the same price you get their Rüdesheimer Bischofsberg Trocken 2021, which is a clear cut above. (See separate note).

9/22/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Again from a half bottle. Have some bottles which I must try.
This is very ripe, mature, full of all the flavours other reviewers have described so well. My only gripe is the potential cloying nature of the wine at this stage but it has all the hallmarks of a classic Suduiraut.

9/22/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Retasted. This has developed some tertiary aromas, a bit musky. Just this bottle? Still good though.

9/22/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Rhine slate terroir producing very aromatic, fruity wines . In the family for decades and I’ve of their favourites.
ABV: 12%, R/S: 8.1 gr/l, TA: 7.6 gr/l.
Colour: light gold, bright, clear
Nose: full, fresh, incredibly ripe and aromatic fruit, good varietal notes in a typical Rheingau way, white peaches, nectarines, then spice, delightfully enticing
Taste: light body, rounded, bursting with fruit, peach and nectarine, then spice and acidity cutting in, long finish, q dry, spice lingers noticeably .
Overall, this is what the Rheingau is about! Brilliant combination of fruit and spice .

9/20/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Does not like this wine:

Second bottle after my last note of disappointment.
This wine is indeed taut, emphasised by the minimal residual sugar. That said, there is a lack of balance that disturbs me. There is also a bitterness in the finish with a hint of old barrel. It is indeed a Gerümpel in my mind.
It should be better. Tried hard to like it but no.

9/19/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Does not like this wine:

Compared with the Doisy Daene Sec which rather routs this wine.
Pleasant Sem/SB blend but nothing more.
Retasted after 24 hours vacuvined with 2/3 of the bottle left. Not good evolution.

9/19/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

The previous note to this sums this wine up well. 100% SB yet has all the opulence of the usual blends.
Overall, very enjoyable. Looking forward to trying this against the Opalie de Coutet.

9/11/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

ABV: 12%, RS: 5 gr/l, TA: 7.5 gr/l.
Colour : v pale gold, bright, clear
Nose: q full, fresh, more spice than varietal notes
Taste: light body, rounded yet taut, v spicy and dry, smoky notes, good acidity, med finish, v dry, spicy with some citrus hints.
Overall, still v young. Could have more stuffing.

9/10/2023 - Michael Mackenzie wrote:

Fully agree with previous review. This is all over the place. May be a bad bottle but I doubt it.
ABV: 12.5%, RS: 1 gr/l, TA: 8.8 gr/l.
Light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: q full, definite reduction, sl burnt note, some spice before you get to fruit, reasonable varietal hints.
Taste: light body, austere, chalky, some varietal notes, a lot of acidity, med finish, bitterness that suggests possible light corked.
Overall, will suspend judgement for another bottle. Rather nuked by a Künstler Hochheimer Stielweg Alte Reben 2021 (see separate note).

9/10/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

No information on the website as now on 2022. A shame as stats would help to explain the opulence. Certainly you get the Alte Reben effect.
Colour :med gold, bright, clear.
Nose: v full, fresh, opulent ripe fruit, intense varietal notes more reminiscent of the Pfalz at first that gives way to Rheingau spiciness and some chalky notes.
Taste: med body, rounded, v opulent with sweet entry, almost botrytis notes, v good fruit and acid balance, long finish full of opulent fruit yet dry and spicy.
Overall, wow! Tasted against a Bürklin Wolf Wachenheimer Gerümpel 2021 which it nuked. Admittedly the latter is currently out of sorts!

9/8/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

ABV: 12%, RS: 8.3 gr/l, TA: 8.9 gr/l.
Colour: v pale straw, hint of green, bright, clear
Nose: not v full. Fresh, taut, flowery, zesty lime, newly mowed grass hints,
Taste: light body, q taut, at first ripe fruit followed immediately by the acidity and tautness, lemon rather than lime, med finish, v dry belying the RS figure, line and lemon.
Overall, a baby still. V good Saar tension.

9/3/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Colour: light gold, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, mealy, touch of wet dog
Taste: light body, rounded, good fruit and weight, still young, med finish, dry, good fruit.
Overall, too young but a bit simple.

9/2/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

ABV: 8%, RS: 48.7 gr/l, TA: 7.4 gr/l
Colour: v pale straw, bright, clear.
Nose: full, fresh, v perfumed, floral, light ylang ylang,
Taste: light body, rounded, white nectarine, peach, med finish, good acidity, not v sweet, stone fruits
Overall, pleasant but not challenging. Does not have the character of the GG version.

9/2/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Colour : pale straw, bright , clear .
Nose: full, fresh, mealy with well integrated oak.
Taste: light/med body, oak led, good ripe fruit, mealy varietal notes, med finish , dry, mealy.
Overall, a good crisp NW Chardonnay.

9/2/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

Update on previous note. Notes written after 24 vacuvined of half finished bottle. Definitely benefits from aeration. A baby still!
Great flavours and length .

8/29/2023 - Michael Mackenzie Likes this wine:

A reasonable example of its type. Crisp, clean and q good fruit.