Lauer 2015ers : Flo(rian) Knows Saar Riesling
8/26/16 -
Our group was in the Peter Lauer tasting room, collectively gawking at old bottles, Lauer Schnapps(!), and the formidable number of samples we would soon be tasting through. Florian Lauer joined us and, after giving an amazing historical and geological primer on the region, the epic tasting began. Florian Lauer is a font of knowledge, which flows from him with such casual confidence, that it becomes clear that he is deeply invested in all the facets of his life’s work. Looking back at my notes on the wines, there is a lot to revisit. Thank goodness for notes. I would have never remembered off-hand that Lambertskirch was replanted using selection massale cuttings from 5 different old vine vineyards along the Mosel, or that this was the specific tasting in which Tobias coined my new favorite Riesling tasting term "dog-whistle acidity." I don't have a photographic memory (or even that great of a short-term one), but I do remember on a visceral level how much I loved these wines, some of which were still barrel samples at the time. A few of those bottles won't be with us until January or February, but until then, we have lots to drink!
Along with the Grosses Gewächs (GG) bottlings, Weingut Peter Lauer is known for their dry-tasting wines: those Rieslings that do not ferment fully trocken, but have enough acidity to be harmonious and bright, not saccharine and cloying. The Saar is an ideal region for this style, with cooler winds helping to temper the sunny weather, keeping acidity levels high in the grapes. Florian is currently farming some of the finest sites in the Saar, and has taken huge steps to preserve their integrity. He has gone so far as to petition to be able to use the original site names on his labels, which from 1971 until 2014, wasn’t allowed by law.
Florian does not make (residually sweet) Prädikat wines every vintage, but the condtions in 2015 were favorable. Florian selects grapes that are ripening faster, or are already showing signs of botrytis. The grapes for the Prädikat wines are often picked earlier than those used for the single vineyard and GG wines. 2015's intense ripeness levels aside, the electric acidity is also loud and clear in the Prädikat wines, making for invigorating drinking!
We are very excited to offer the Lauer 2015s on pre-arrival (arriving late September/early October), and look forward to offering the GGs in the new year! -Cari Bernard
