Karthäuserhof 2010 Ruwer Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg BA 375

Karthäuserhof is a treasure in the Ruwer valley; a monastery run for nearly 500 years by Carthusian (hence the name) monks starting in the early 1300s, it was secularized in 1803 and purchased by a French general in 1811. Since then it's been passed down family lines for seven generations with its 19-hectare monopol, the Eitelsbacher Karthäsuserhofberg. Soils on the 'berg are mostly Devonian blue slate with iron oxide striations at varied levels of erosion, and some veins of clay in the soil below to help with water retention. The dense forests in the region bring both shelter from the winds on the slope, and also a variety of fauna and insects to the vineyard. In the bottles I've been able to try, I always find something mineral and green in these wines. Not green as in young, but green, like a freshly rain-soaked forest. In 2010 there were lower yields all around Germany, and this was also true in the Ruwer. Karthäuserhof had close to a 50% loss in yields, but was still able to produce a Beerenauslese, due to the clean, beautiful botrytis and sustained acidity from the cooling weather around harvest time. These bottles came to us from a private cellar, and we would love to hear any reports about how this is tasting. I'm assuming it's probably still very young!! Cari Bernard

Basserman-Jordan 2003 Pfalz Deidesheimer Maushöhle Riesling BA 375 mL

Becker, J.B. 1990 Rheingau Riesling Martinshaler Rodchen Spätlese Trocken

Becker, J.B. 2008 Rheingau Riesling Berg Bildstock Kabinett

Bürklin-Wolf, Dr. 2005 Pfalz Riesling Pechstein Forster

Bürklin-Wolf, Dr. 2005 Pfalz Riesling Wachenheimer Rechbachel

Christoffel Erben 2007 Mosel Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese

Domdechant Werner'sches 1975 Rheingau Riesling Hocheimer Domdechaney Spatlese

Donnhoff 2001 Nahe Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spätlese

Dönnhoff 2001 Nahe Riesling Oberhäuser Leistenberg Auslese Goldkapsel

Dönnhoff 2002 Nahe Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese

Dönnhoff 2008 Nahe Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2008 Nahe Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2009 Nahe Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2009 Nahe Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2009 Nahe Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2010 Nahe Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2010 Nahe Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2010 Nahe Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2011 Nahe Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dellchen is a steep site in Norheim, downstream for the Niederhausen/Oberhausen center where Dönnhoff resides. The soil is a classic Nahe mixture of slate toward the bottom of the site and volcanic elements out toward the sides. The nose is impressively chiseled, especially within the context of the fairly fruity vintage, with fresh, lean and precise mineral tones. I was very excited when tasting this one — the body is just what great German Trocken should be — lighter than comparable wines from Austria or Alsace but with no lack of fruit or depth. Green apple, lemon, strawberry, honeydew melon, and all followed by a stony rush on the penetrating finish. Simply terrific dry Dönnhoff! -jfr

Dönnhoff 2011 Nahe Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs

The ground is 100% volcanic soil here, and the result is a spicier GG than the slatier Dellchen. Salty, spicy, even a bit fiery in a way. Invigorating! The fruit here tends toward more citrus flavors, rather than the berries and melons of the estates other GGs, but there is a distinct rus of blood orange and grapefruit on the slaine-driven finish. Felsenberg is, like Hermannshöhle, the only site where Dönnhoff crafts both excellent dry and sweet wines. -jfr

Dönnhoff 2011 Nahe Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Ferments in stainless steel then matures in stück on the fine lees for two months, then a month back in steel before bottling. Helmutt Dönnhoff told me that his idea of Riesling is like "Mountain Spring Water — Clarity is the most important thing." This has the most complex aromatics of the three GGs. Intensely mineral with some CO2 still showing, along with light, white crisp stony notes. Very poised and the longest and most colorful of the three GGs. -jfr

Dönnhoff 2012 Nahe Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Dönnhoff 2012 Nahe Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewächs

As in 2011, the Hermannshöhle GG is again terrific, but it's really aromatically closed as of June 2013. This is another Dönnhoff GG that's all structure and minerality at this point with the fruit playing second fiddle. The raw material is stunning, and this will probably age much better than any of the estate's previous dry wines. It's long, it's pure, it's elegant, and what its missing in the wild, kaleidoscopic fruit of 2011, it more than makes up for in detail, finesse and structure. -jfr

Dönnhoff 2013 Nahe Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs

Haag, Fritz 2001 Mosel Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese GKA #12

Haag, Fritz 2002 Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese GK Auction 375 mL

Gunderloch 2002 Rheinhessen Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling BA 375ml

Gunderloch 2004 Rheinhessen Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling BA 100 ml

Karthäuserhof 2000 Ruwer Riesing Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Spätlese

Keller 2013 Rheinhessen Dalsheimer Hubacker Grosses Gewächs 1.5L

Kuhling-Gillot 2010 Rheinhessen Riesling Troken Niersteiner Pettenthal GG

Lauer, Peter 1991 Saar Riesling Sekt Brut Reserve

Florian Lauer and his importer keep blessing us with more and more bottles of recently-disgorged vintage Sekt and we're in love with the 1991. Like other releases, it still clearly tastes like Lauer and the Kupp but this strikes us as perhaps the most complex yet. Earthy, stony, mossy aromatics with a good dose of fruit on the palate; dried apricots, sponti flavors, really killer acid and of course, slate, slate, slate. Florian says it's fruitier than the '93; we say it's fantastic! -jfr

Lauer, Peter 2014 Saar Riesling Ayler Kupp GG

Sourced from Florian's finest vines from the legendary Ayler Kupp vinyard, this GG never disappoints, but the 2014 vintage seems to be particularly promising. - David Salinas

Müller-Catoir 1994 Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten Rieslaner Spätlese

Müller-Catoir 1999 Pfalz Haardter Bürgergarten Riesling Eiswein 375 ml

Müller-Catoir 2008 Pfaltz Breumel im den Mauern Riesling GG

Prüm, J.J. 2001 Mosel Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese

This is Auslese to bury deep in the cellar. The perfect gift for the Riesling lover that is looking for a wine that will be compelling either in 2011 or 2031. If enjoying now, be sure to give it a lengthy decant, as I found this really hit its stride after about 4 hours open. Not heavy but expansive, mouth-filling and fresh with perfectly balanced acid. Notes of pear, sweet lime, succulent yellow and white peach, this is just so delicious. Prum at its finest, and one of the most thrilling bottles I've recently tasted. -jfr

Prum, J.J. 2007 Mosel Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese

Prum, J.J. 2010 Mosel Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese

Rebholz 2012 Pfalz Riesling im Sonnenschein Ganz Horn Grosses Gewächs

Rebholz 2014 Pfalz Riesling Kastanienbusch Grosses Gewächs

Schäfer-Fröhlich 2014 Nahe Monzinger Halenberg Grosses Gewächs

Schaefer, Willi 2006 Mosel Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #10

Schaefer, Willi 2009 Mosel Graacher Himmelreich Grosses Gewächs

Selbach-Oster 1999 Mosel Riesling Auslese Zeltinger-Schlossberg

Selbach-Oster 2007 Mosel Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese

Simon, Bert 1976 Saar Serriger Herrenberg Riesling Beerenauslese 375ml

Von Othegraven 1999 Saar Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Auslese

Von Othegraven 2005 Saar Kanzem Altenberg Riesling Auslese Alte Reben

von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser 2005 Ruwer Abstberg Beerenauslese 375ml

Alzinger 2015 Wachau Steinertal Grüner Veltliner Smaragd

Schloss Gobelsburg 2005 Kamptal Gruner Veltliner Ried Lamm

Knoll 2010 Wachau Riesling Smaragd Schutt

Muster, Sepp 2011 Steirerland Graf Morillon

Muster, Maria & Sepp 2013 Steiermark Sauvignon Blanc Vom Opok

Nikolaihof 1997 Wachau Riesling Vinothek

17 years of aging in a large cask, in the ancient Nikolaihof cellars have not been in vain for this world-class Riesling Vinothek. At a recent tasting, this wine was in an absolutely prisitne drinking window. Radiantly golden yellow in color, the nose is discrete put beautifully detailed with floral and stone fruit notes that linger in the mind. The palate is weighty, yet perfectly poised, with a endless stream of minerality that carries notes of white peaches, quince, and cardamom. Although certainly cellar-worthy, this Riesling is simply shinning!

- David Salinas

Pichler, FX 2004 Wachau Riesling Loibner Berg Smaragd

Prager 2005 Wachau Riesling Ried Klaus 'Lieblich'

A Smaragd in everything but name, this is Prager at its most ornate and heady -- going into the stylistic realm of some of his neighbors, especially FX Pichler or Hirtzberger. Fear not though, as rather than translate all that ripeness into an unwieldy amount of alcohol, Toni Bodenstein opted to stop fermentation before it was totally complete, leading to a perfectly balanced wine they would call "Feinherb" across the border in Germany. Bodenstein likens it to the 1990 Klaus, which is no faint praise, to be sure. Built to last in the cellar for many, many years. -jfr

Totally in agreement with John, this 'lieblich' bottling is truly unique and is aging well. Opened last month (12/2018) with friends and Chinese food, it did not disappoint. Although darker in color than expected, the wine is fascinatingly opulent, layered, balanced, and has settled in nicely. Highly recommended. Cari Bernard

Prager 2009 Wachau Riesling Smaragd Achleiten

Prager 2009 Wachau Riesling Smaragd Ried Klaus

Prager 2012 Wachau Achleiten Grüner Veltliner Smaragd

Boxler 2004 Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Sommerberg Vendages Tardive

Boxler 2004 Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Sommerberg VT Zacharie

Boxler 2004 Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Sommerberg VT Zacharie .5L

Deiss, Marcel 2001 Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Schoenenbourg

Josmeyer 1995 Alsace Pinot Gris Selection de Grains Nobles 500ml

Mann, Albert 2000 Alsace Pinot Gris Hengst SGN 375ml

Schoffit, Bernard and Robert 1998 Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Theobald SGN 375ml

Schoffit, Bernard and Robert 2002 Alsace Tokay Pinot Gris Rangen Clos St. Theobald SGN 500ml

Trimbach 1997 Alsace Gewurztraminer Vendages Tardive

Trimbach 2001 Alsace Gewurztraminer Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre

Trimbach 2007 Alsace Riesling Frederic Emile

Trimbach 2009 Alsace Riesling Frederic Emile

Weinbach 2001 Alsace Gewurztraminer Cuvée Laurence

Weinbach 2004 Alsace Riesling Schlossberg Clos des Capucins SGN 500ml

Weinbach 2004 Alsace Riesling Schlossberg VT Trie Speciale 375ml

Zind-Humbrecht 2001 Alsace Gewurztraminer VT Clos Windsbuhl 375ml

Zind-Humbrecht 2002 Alsace Muscat Herrenweg