Adam, A.J. 2021 Mosel Riesling Im Pfarrgarten Feinherb

 Dhron is named for a river that flows into the Mosel. Its steep, slatey vineyards form the tributaries northern bank. There, the sites are steeper and at higher altitude than most of Mosel. The wines are a little wispier and saltier and the fruit skews cooler and whiter. The Pfarrgarten is part of the Dhroner Hofberg. The steep, southwest facing Hofberg was given the top rating in Clotten’s 1868 Vineyard maps and was famous up until the exodus of younger winemakers and generation to the cities and flatter lands easier to machine cultivate and harvest. The soils are all Devonian grey slate and the vines are 50 years old. Herbaceous, wet rocks, faint peach and petrol with a beautiful kiss of juicy lemonade, peach fuzz with vibrant acidity and a lithe body clocking in at 10%abv. No sharp edges on this dreamy number.! Giselle Hamburg

Adam, A.J. 2022 Mosel Riesling Dhroner Hofberg Kabinett

The Grand Cru Hofberg is one of the greatest Mosel vineyards. In 1868 the vineyards of this hill were classified by the Prussians as an extraordinary place to make great Rieslings. It`s in a  lovely quiet side valley on the Dhron river with weathered Devonian slate mixed with quartzite. Riesling vines are 30 to 65 years old and some are still ungrafted. Sun comes out late in the morning and settles early; the perfect microclimate for our Hofberg Kabinett! The grapes from this part of the Hofberg are fermented spontaneously in big stainless steel tanks.

Adam, A.J. 2022 Mosel Riesling Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Kabinett

Recently, Adams brother and sister acquired vineyards in the Piesporter Goldtröpfchen, specifically a site called Laychen. “Lay” is the old word for slate, and “chen” is the diminutive, referring to the small, broken slate soils of weathered blue slate, clay & sandstone over 100 years old and ungrafted.

Battenfeld Spanier 2013 Hohen Sulzen Riesling Trocken

Hohen-Sülzen is a wine producing village west of Worms, in Rheinhessen, Germany. It is located on the flat land just north of the Pfalz, with soils of deep limestone and a crumbly chalk toplayer, perfect for mineral laden whites and pinot noirs. As per Olivier Spanier: " The vines must root deep in this porous and water-storing rock to obtain nourishment. Due to the Donnersberg mountain, which intercepts the weather from the west, Hohen Sulzen is in the rain shadow and summers are drier than elsewhere. The water-storing limestone exhibits its virtues and yields wines that are ripe and vibrant. The deeply rooted vines bring out the stone aromas rather than the fruit aromas. This is what interests me: the spectrum of aromas of the stones and the soil found beyond the transient fruit. Dancing minerals. Salty character of origin. This applies to Riesling as well as to Sylvaner, the white wine as well as the red Burgundy. I don’t grow any other grape varieties." On the nose, the wine exudes subtle stone fruit,  accompanied by delicate herbal aromas and hints of petrol due to its age, The palate is redolent with juicy mirabelle plums and a blast of saline, chalky minerality. An absolute steal for a 10 year old Riesling. GH

Battenfeld Spanier 2021 Rheinhessen Gruner Sylvaner

Hohen-Sülzen is a wine producing village west of Worms, in Rheinhessen, Germany. It is located on the flat land just north of the Pfalz, with soils of deep limestone and a crumbly chalk toplayer, perfect for mineral laden whites and pinot noirs. As per Olivier Spanier: " The vines must root deep  in this porous and water-storing rock to obtain nourishment. Due to the Donnersberg mountain, which intercepts the weather from the west, Hohen Sulzen is in the rain shadow and summers are drier than elsewhere. The water-storing limestone exhibits its virtues and yields wines that are ripe and vibrant. The deeply rooted vines bring out the stone aromas rather than the fruit aromas. This is what interests me: the spectrum of aromas of the stones and the soil found beyond the transient fruit. Dancing minerals. Salty character of origin. This applies to Riesling as well as to Sylvaner, the white wine as well as the red Burgundy. I don’t grow any other grape varieties." The Gruner Sylvaner (Green Sylvaner as it's called in the southern Rheinhessen) is super zesty and herbaceous with bright acidity and more of that cool minerality native to the area. An excellent affordable alternative for Sancerre lovers! Giselle Hamburg

Brand 2021 Pfalz Weissburgunder

Hailing from the Northern Pfalz near the border with the Rheinhessen and it's limestone soils. Fresh like a German mountain meadow with herbaceous notes of pine forest floor, grass and white flowers,. Extremely zippy and refreshing with notes of limeade, green apple and peach with effervescent acidity yet juicy fruit. The perfect spring picnic wine meant to be consumed in the great outdoors with a brisk chill, able to accompany all manner of light fare: Pure Spring in a Liter Bottle. Giselle Hamburg

Brand 21 Electric Chardonnay Acid Test 2021 Pfalz Chardonnay

From the electric Brand Bros in the northern Pfalz comes the new cuvee of Electric Chardonnay Acid Test. The 2021 vintage is 85%Chardonnay and 15% Riesling, from 30 yr old vines grown in limestone soils with loam and loess. Hand harvested, spontneous fermentation, aged in large , neutral barrels, unfined and unfiltered with very low sulphur at bottling. Flashing a vivd, neon yellow hue, the wine is ELECTRIC with zest and verve, pulsatingly palpable in mouthfeel and will have you seeing the psychedelic rainbow of colors as illustrated in their "Monks on Acid" label ( referring  to 1968"s infamous book The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test  by Thomas Wolf). Giselle Hamburg

Breuer, Georg 2017 Rheingau Rüdesheimer Berg Roseneck Riesling

Sharing  one of Rudesheim's most famous GGs with our friend Leitz, Breuer's Roseneck is incredibly rocky and one of the steepest sites in Germany. Grapes have been cultivated from this site since the year 1200 and the historical name "Katerloch," or “Devil’s Hole,” is the amphitheater portion of the mountain that appears as though it was carved out of the slope of the Rüdesheimer Berg. Wines sourced from this site are always the coolest and leanest in Rudesheim.

Breuer, Georg 2021 Rheingau Rauenthaler Nonneberg Riesling

Breuer's five hectare monopole in a little side valley off of the Rhine near Weisbaden is made up of deep phylite soils producing intenesely concentrated  yet elegant wines of stony minerality, spice and juicy citrus. Although drinkable now, it would be a shame not to lay down the 21s for a decade. A powwerhouse! GH

Breuer, Georg 2021 Rheingau Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Riesling

Rottland sits directly above the town of Rudesheim stetching westward;  facing completely south, the 15 to 50 percent grade slope is fully exposed to abundant sunlight and the numerous terrace walls store tremendous amounts of warmth. Composed of mostly red slate with some grey slate, quartzite covered with deep loess,  the large Rottland is shared with Leitz & Kunstler amongst others. A pure, clean blast of saline minerality, bright citrus and white/yellow tree fruit with great length and a medium body. Pure elegance! GH

Breuer, George 2022 Sauvage Riesling Trocken

The entry level dry riesling from one of the founders of the Rheingau's Charta Association ushering in a drier style of Riesling in the Rhinegau.  Flashing a pale green, Sauvage is all cristaline purity and brilliant acidity. This pops right out of the glass in a whirlwind of white rocks, herbaceousness, lemon peel and peach pit with the faintest spritz; simply breathtaking! GH

Bürgerspital 2020 Franken Würzburger Pfaffenberg Sylvaner Trocken

Incredible gold medal awarded 1er Cru single vineyard Sylvaner from it's home in Franken from one of it's most heralded producers Burgerspital making wines since 1316 !!!!! Need more encouragement because not familiar with Sylvaner? Found mostly in Alsace France, there is a healthy smattering in Germany, Austria & Luxembourg but as far as Germany is concerned, Franken reigns king. Lively herbaceousness with citrus, a crunchy minerality and elegant salinity perfect for all Chablis and crisp, mineral white wine lovers! GH

Dostert, Jonas 2021 Mosel Weiss Pinot gris

Emrich-Schönleber 2021 Nahe Riesling Monzinger Halenberg Spätlese

Enderle and Moll 2021 Baden Pinot Noir 'Muschelkalk'

Gunderloch 2016 Rheinhessen Nierstein Pettenthal Riesling GG

Pettenthal is one of the three Grand Crus from the Roter Hang region along the Rhine in the Rheinhessen south of Mainz. The coolest and steepest Grosse Lage, 2016 marks the first vintage with Johannes Hasselbach as the main winemaker taking over for his father.  Explosive with notes of tangeine, grapefuit, peaches, exotic spices, herbs, smoke and petrol undersored with salty minerality and ample acidity on a lush, dense and creamy body. Perfect for all manner of holiday dishes , a real showstopper! GH

Gunderloch 2021 Rheinhessen Nackenheim Riesling Roten Schiefer

Gunderloch hails from the Rheinhessen's historical "Roter Hang" (Red Slope) area along the Rhine river just south of Mainz. This historical estate from the mid nineteenth century is now in the hands of the latest generation Johannes Hasselbach, who has converted to organic viticulture, native yeast fermentations and minimal handling and sulfur. The wines now have lower alcohol levels, no deacidification, less RS and are less baroque compared to his forefather's wines.  In Nackenheim, they own the dominant portion of the grand cru Rothenberg (sixty-five percent of the estate’s holdings) which is planted completely to Riesling. Their GG from here is the flagship of the estate; 5 kilometers down the road in Nierstein, they also have the GGs Pettenthal and Hipping. The "Roten Schiefer" (red slate) is sourced from all 3 GGs,. Very dry with the red slate coating the tongue and adding spice and herbaceousness to the palate whilst the 12 hours of skin contact adds tannins and tension. Fruit salad and minty nose with explosive, spicy limeade on the palate. Bring on the spicy Thai papaya salad and jungle curried pork! Giselle Hamburg

Gunderloch 2021 Rheinhessen Nierstein Pettenthal Riesling GG

Pettenthal is one of the three Grand Crus from the Roter Hang region along the Rhine in the Rheinhessen south of Mainz. The coolest and steepest Grosse Lage, the 2021 is already showing hints of petrol with it's cool mineral, herbacous, flinty frame underscored by great freshness and zesty spices from the red slate soils. Layered, dense and powerful, one could drink now but it would  definitely benefit from several years cellaring. A true stunner! GH

Gunderloch 2022 Rheinhessen Nierstein Hipping Riesling GG

Niersteiner Hipping is Gunderloch’s smallest grand cru, sourced from an extremely steep portion of the vineyard. Spontaneously fermented, barrel-aged, and picked at punishingly low yields. The nose is typical Roter Hang: herbal, stony, savory, sunny, but ups the ante in 2022 with exotic florals like lilacs and jasmine tea. It is intense and really exciting! Considering that Hipping's other primo producer is Keller at $500 a pop, this new arrival is worth stocking up on !!!! Giselle Hamburg

Gut Hermannsberg 2020 Nahe 'Just Riesling!' Riesling Trocken

Germany's 2023 Vinum Wineguide just awarded our newest German producer from the Nahe, Karsten Peter, "Winemaker of the Year". As per the winery's website: "The stony, mostly volcanic soils, in our vineyards give our wines a pronounced raciness, spice and minerality." The entry level "Just Riesling " shows that in spades whilst maintaining an ethereal 11.5% abv and juicy fruit salad profile underscored by a dry finish. An excellent pairing for all manner of sushi, spicy Asian dishes, barbecued pork, Buffalo chicken wings...Game Day WIne! Giselle Hamburg

Immich-Batterieberg 2018 Mosel Zeppwingert Riesling Feinherb

Gernot works 8 terraces here of 100-year-old vines on GRAY SLATE and quartzite SURROUNDING  the Batterieberg. The wine is a pale straw yellow with hints of green. The nose offers exuberant aromas of white peach, apple, melon, candied ginger and wet stone. The plate, though technically off-dry, is dry tasting and decidedly mineral, with a briny, stony core enrobed by ripe orchard fruit and white strawberry flavors with a hint of pithy citrus character that knits with the earthy character on the pungent, palate-staining finish. This is the most overtly mineral of the lineup and displays the most pronounced old-vine character. This has grand potential and is seemingly coiled at the moment. Decant 6 hours ahead if drinking now but better to wait 5-7 years and beyond for the towering structure to knit. Impressive stuff. John McIlwain

Immich-Batterieberg 2020 Mosel Ellergrub Riesling

The Grand Cru Ellergrub is Gernot’s favorite vineyard to work. Century-old, pre-phylloxera, ungrafted vines planted on a blue slate hillside of dizzying steepness renders a wine that’s nothing short of profound. It offers intense flavor, integrated juiciness, sensuous texture and extraordinary length and intricacy with guaranteed potential for long maturation.

Immich-Batterieberg 2020 Mosel Zollturm Riesling

Winemaker Genot kollman added another grand cru vineyard site in 2014, the dizzyingly steep Zoltrum (Toll Tower) in neighboring Traben.  Historically, the Tower was the defacto toll booth for river traffic as it was high enough to see approaching boats in both directions giving the tollkeepers enough time to run down the hill and collect the toll!The Trabener Zollturm is sourced from the old-vines portion of a hectare recently acquired from a Kröv vintner in a once highly rated site just upstream from Gaispfad and Ellergrub.

Immich-Batterieberg 2022 Mosel Steffensberg Riesling

As per the distributor: " If these wines were classed like Burgundy, this would be a 1er Cru for the estate. Steffensberg is located on a side valley of Enkirch, composed of deeper, softer soils dominated by copper-tinted red slate. Spicy, fragrant wines are made here from extremely old, pre-phylloxera vines on their original rootstock, hand-harvested and aged in barrel." Steffensberg Riesling is a powerful yet elegant white wine from one of the steepest and most storied vineyards in the Mosel.  A wine with an unprecedented structure that stands out as a companion to rich dishes with it's balanced interplay of sugar and acid, Mosel minerality and fruity/spicy notes. GH

Keller 2010 Rheinhessen Abtserde Grosses Gewächs

Keller 2015 Rheinhessen Riesling Kirchspiel Grosses Gewächs

Keller 2016 Rheinhessen Abtserde Spatlese

Koehler-Ruprecht 2021 Pfalz Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Kabinett Trocken

Named after the shape of the vineyard, (a large sausage in a pig's stomach casing), Saumagen is the estate's calling card. Planted in 1810 on a former limestone quarry from Roman times, Saumagen is famed for it's soils heavy with chalk and individual limestone, producing wines of great concentration. The 21 vintage is elegant and spicy, clocking in at a sprightly 11.5%. A true dry kabinett, delightful! GH

Kühn, Peter Jakob 2018 Rheingau Sekt Brut Riesling

Harvested from the higher, cooler vineyards at the very start of harvest time and made up of Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois.  The base wine is spontaneously fermented followed by the second fermentation in bottle with 24 months aging on the lees. A minimal dosage of 2.9 grams lends it a pristine, linear profile. Aromas of citrus, faint petrol and wet rocks are followed by flavors of brioche, lemon curd and crunchy minerality with zingy acidity and a sprightly mousse.  Although perfect on its own as an aperitif, it's complexity begs for some food whether it be oyster and shellfish or schnitzel and fried chicken! An elegant alternative to Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne that will make your heart sing and your wallet smile! Giselle Hamburg

Kühn, Peter Jakob 2020 Hallgartener Hendelberg 1er G Riesling

The name of the site goes back to the old German word “Hindi” (= hind). This used to be a site for watching hinds (does) feeding with their calves in spring, long before wine was grown here. From their highest vineyard at 300 meters above the Mittel Rhiengau plateau, the site is south-west facing and very steep in parts, riddled with grey Devon slate. The high angle of inclination favors the effect of the sun in spring and autumn and reduces the intensity of radiation in midsummer. The vines are aerated by the down winds which helps prevents diseases and cooled by the wooded Taunusrange above. This produces a wine of bright acidity and verve; the nose is very mineral yet delicate and ethereal. The palate is full of bright citrus underscored by a very elegant slate influence. Overall, sleek and feminine like the does that used to graze there. Giselle Hamburg

Kühn, Peter Jakob 2021 Rheingau Oestricher Doosberg Riesling GG

DOOSBERG is a plot of 45 year old vines on a south-west facing slope. This ensures the vines are exposed to constant winds, allowing the grapes to dry fast and develop in ideal conditions for a dry Riesling. The grapes are hand-harvested, whole-bunch-pressed for eight hours and then fermented with natural yeasts. It is then aged on lees for 13 months before being racked in December then aged on fine lees until April. As per the distributor:" The nose is powerful and elegant,  highly complex and terroir-driven that shows fascinating earthy tones of crushed  slate, iodine and  lemonade. Silky, lush and highly elegant on the palate, this is a juicy but refined, vibrantly pure and mineral Doosberg with fine, crunchy tannins and characteristic mineral acidity and crisp phenolic grip. The finish is enormously long and energetic in all its crescendo salinity and mineral purity."

Lardot, Philip 2022 Mosel Landwein Kontakt Ries/MT

An interesting blend of Muller Thurgau and Riesling, unfined and unfiltered with many moons on the lees from.....the Mosel???!!! Yes, as this is the brain child of Finish born, Amsterdam raised Philip Lardot, who after several harvests with Chenin Blanc in the Loire valley, got bit with the Riesling bug after doing a harvest at Ulli Stein in the Mosel and the rest is history. After 5 years of working together where he was supposed to be Ulli's successor, they parted ways so that Philip could make his more uncoventional Mosel wines. All the wines have long skin contact and all the fermentations are natural and Philip does not block malolactic fermentation, which is a bit unique in the Mosel.  While there are certain parcels (for example in Bullay) that always go into these wines, the “Kontakt” wines can also receive random single-vineyard barrels, booster shots of top-level juice that Lardot declassifies. The end result is a fine balancing act of gauziness and clarity, deep minerality and layered herbaceousness! GH

Lauer, Peter 2022 Ayler Kupp Riesling Trocken #25

From Vom Boden Wines: "Think of this as a dry "Barrel X" - it's the village-level dry wine sourced from two sites (Scheidterberg and Rauberg) that circle around the backside of the village. Historically a bit chilly, these sites are now coming into a glorious place... For 2022 this is cut and clear and vigorous with a pronounced acidity - old-school Saar!"  ///////  From Mosel Fine Wines, Issue #66: "The 2022er Ayler Riesling No. 25 is a dry wine (with 6 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit picked on the Scheidterberg and Rauberg side hills." Aromas of cool wet rocks and grass, honeydew and limeade, burst from the glass. The palate is juicy yet herbaceous and zesty with more of those green wet notes without being puckeringly dry or crisp. More of a spearmint than wintergreen Wrigleys gum profile. Giselle Hamburg

Lauer, Peter 2022 Grand Cru Riesling Schonfels Kabinett #111

From Vom Boden: "This is only the second Kabinett Lauer has ever made from the Schonfels vineyard; interestingly, this is sleek and mineral, but does have a cake-icing slickness to it, along with cut and grip." /// From Mosel Fine Wines, Issue No. 66: "The 2022er Schonfels Kabinett No. 111 was made from fruit harvested in this steep, south-east facing Lieu-Dit overseeing the Saar, and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (53 g/l)."

Materne & Schmitt Lehmener 2019 Mosel Lehmener Ausoniusstein

The only single vineyard wine our fave Thelma and Louise dynamic duo bottle. An incredible Grosse Lage, of gray and green slate with pockets of rare limestone from a coral reef speckled with fossilized seashells.  Perched high up on a super steep site above the river, it still manages to have a good water supply, necessary for the 100+ year old un-grafted vines. Vinified in steel to a seriously dry 1.4g RS and 6.6g acid (but it feels way higher than that thanks to the wine's innate minerality and very low RS). An incredible, rare wine of penetrating aromatics, terrific nerve and purity.

Müller, Egon 2019 Saar Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese Auction

Müller, Egon 2020 Saar Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese Auction

Müller, Stefan 2021 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Alte Riesling Kabinett

Their largest holding is the Euchariusberg (pronounced oy-sharius-berg) where they have 5 hectares of vines planted in 1944 and 1964. This is a rambling, diverse terroir from which Stefan derives emphatically delicious Rieslings, especially in sweet prädikats. Made from old un-grafted vines fermented to fruity-styled levels of RS (47 g/l).  A lovely, lighter new release from here, harvested early for Kabinett (this is usually a Spatlese site), so it combines ripeness with that wonderful Saar "floaty" feeling.

Prum, J.J. 2021 Mosel Wehlener Sonennuhr Riesling Spätlese Auction

Schaefer, Willi 2019 Mosel Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #11 375ml

The 2019 Graacher Domprobst Auslese #11 is filigreed and racy for the pradikat, showing all the verve and brightness of the vintage. The nose shows a touch of sponti, but time in the glass reveals pretty aromas of pear skin, orange blossom, peach nectar, and cool mint leaves. There's a delicate honeyed sweetness that dances across the palate balanced by pitch-perfect acidity and waves of luscious stone fruit and citrus flavors with a subtle herbal undercurrent. Framing this is a zesty, mouthwatering stoniness leading to impeccable balance even at this young age. This is already lovely, but this will dazzle when mature in 8-10 years and for decades beyond. An emotionally gratifying wine! John McIlwain

Schaefer, Willi 2021 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #13 Auction

Schaefer, Willi 2022 Mosel Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett (AP03)

As per the distributor's website: In the village of Graach, with south-to-southwest exposition, the vines have great sun exposure all day as well as natural spring that runs through the hillside, guaranteeing good water supply even in warm vintages. The Romans already knew the benefits of Graach’s sites and cultivated vines here. In the Prussian classification of the Mosel vineyards from 1816 to 1832, Graach’s vineyards had the highest ratings. Compared to the wines just slightly northwest in Zeltingen, the wines from Graach show cooler green and white tones rather Wehlen and Zeltingen’s more orange and red flavors. These wines perfectly reflect this unique terroir and show the distinct differences between these two sites right next to each other. Domprobst is more mineral, smokier, shadowy, and takes longer to emerge while Himmelreich is buoyant, more floral, lighter in texture, and is open from day one. The '22 is pure, cool and flinty on the deep, dark and discreet, more aristocratic nose compared to the Himmelreich. It is utterly complex and with bright shimmers in the darkness of the Domprobst due to the flavors of juicy Sicilian lemons. Highly refined and saline, beautifully balanced and weightless as well as seamless with a savory finish.

Schaefer, Willi 2022 Mosel Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett 1.5 Liter

Schaefer, Willi 2022 Mosel Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett

As per the distributor's website: In the village of Graach, with south-to-southwest exposition, the vines have great sun exposure all day as well as natural spring that runs through the hillside, guaranteeing good water supply even in warm vintages. The Romans already knew the benefits of Graach’s sites and cultivated vines here. In the Prussian classification of the Mosel vineyards from 1816 to 1832, Graach’s vineyards had the highest ratings. Compared to the wines just slightly northwest in Zeltingen, the wines from Graach show cooler green and white tones rather Wehlen and Zeltingen’s more orange and red flavors. These wines perfectly reflect this unique terroir and show the distinct differences between these two sites right next to each other. Domprobst is more mineral, smokier, shadowy, and takes longer to emerge while Himmelreich is buoyant, more floral, lighter in texture, and is open from day one. The 2022 shows a coolish, flinty character with ripe, well-concentrated fruit and dark slate notes. On the palate, this is a round and charming, mouth-filling and fruity but finessed and balanced. This is a very elegant and alluring style, but it will be even more so after some years of bottle age. The finish is delicate, fresh and frisky, saline and citric but not at all aggressive.

Schäfer-Fröhlich 2021 Nahe Bockenauer Felseneck Ries Spätlese

Schneider, K.H. 2019 Nahe Sobernheimer Domberg Riesling Spatlese

Stein 2022 Mosel Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Feinherb Alte Reben

Perhaps the purest Mosel of them all in Ulli's range; it always ends up as a  Feinherb, and is sourced from 80+ year old ungrafted vines in terraced vineyards on mostly blue and some grey slate. Compared to it's "sister" vineyard in Graach, Ulli's Himmelreich is slimmer with pronounced minerality and citrus lift. Just beyond dry with only 15 grams RS, this is a restrained and chiseled, old-school Feinherb. A sheer delight! Giselle Hamburg

Stein, Ulli 2022 Mosel Riesling Weihwasser Feinherb

Ulli knocks it out of the park again with this breathtakingly ethereal "Feinherb". Weihwasser means Holywater and Holy Moly is right; almost imperceptibly off dry clocking in at 11.5%, it wafts slightly saline lemonade, white flowers and pear on the nose. Flavors of wet rocks and honeydew underscored by herbaceous spearmint dance above the lithe body with a long, elegant finish. Dangerously gulpable so buy two for your next picnic! Giselle Hamburg

Thorle 2019 Rheinhessen Saulheimer Trocken Spätburgunder

Thorle is a 16th century estate in the center of the Rheinehessen, under new ownership of the Thorle brothers since 2006 who have converted the estate to being Certified Organic as of 2022. The estate is comprised of  three vineyards on a mix of limestone and clay with loess top soils. All wines are unfiltered, gravity clarified, barrel-aged and bottled with minimal SO2. Their Spatburgunder is serious and dark fruited; spontaneously fermented on the skins for 3-4 weeks with frequent punch downs, aged in french oak for 20 months and bottled unfiltered.

Vollenweider 2020 Mosel Riesling Schimbock

Von Winning NV Pfalz Riesling Sekt Extra Brut

We received this elegant sparkling Riesling  just in time for the Holidays. Von Winning maintains some of the oldest parcels in Grosses Gewächs vineyards scattered across Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg in the Pfalz due west from Heidelberg. The Sekt is sourced from different vineyards in Deidesheim, from chalky red sandstone soils. Bone dry and ethereal, it benefits from 2+ years on the lees and a low dosage of 3 grams with a delicate mousse and notes of citrus, peach and chalk. Wunderbar! Giselle Hamburg

Wasenhaus 2022 Baden Grand Ordinaire

Alexander Götze and Christoph Wolber of Wasenhaus met while working in Burgundy. The friends returned to Germany with the idea of finding old vines and making pure, low-intervention wines. Grand Ordinaire—formerly Baden Nouveau— is all Pinot Noir, fermented  100% whole cluster before pressing off and finishing fermentation in tank. The 2022 delivers plenty of bright red fruit, with a lightweight and racy palate. The nose offers aromas of crushed strawberry, pomegranate, and cherry stone. Serve with a light chill!

Weingut Mann 2021 Rheinischer Riesling Grauburgunder