Schafer-Frohlich 2006’s: The Cream of the Crop
6/22/2007 -
Tim Frohlich has been on a roll recently and he is definetly a member of the wine elite in the Nahe and maybe all of Germany. All that at the tender age of 32. Tim's wines are akin to the great master of the Nahe, Helmut Donnhoff, but they seems to have more of a juicy playfulness that gives them their own style. As Donnhoff's wines are more sedate, Tim's are more playful. Tim worked hard in the vineyard in 2006 and made a very strict selection and as a result his wines play harder than usual. For my palate they are the finest collection of the vintage. They have filigree, finesse, purity and amazing length. The structures are deep and fine and hint that they will be long agers. Tim actually thinks that 2006 has a more elegant streamlined character than his 2005's which also were a stunning collection. Powerful wines with a laser-like delivery are the hallmark of Tim's 2006's. Tim is a supertstar and it's nice getting in on these wines before they go the way of Donnhoff, Egon Muller etc. Do not miss these wines especially at these ridiculous giveaway pre-sell prices. These are net prices only and the offer, like the previous Riesling offer, closes July 15th.
Estate Halbtrocken - Always one of the best values in Germany. This wine is so juicy, ripe and pure with beautiful flavors of cassis, blueberries and white peach. Chalky minerality and lively acidity give this great snap. The BEST estate Riesling I have tasted in 2006.
Bockeneauer Felseneck Spatlese Trocken - Dry wines are absolutely stunning in 2006 and this was one of the best I tasted. Crunchy minerality, a hint of forest floor, shimmering minerality and wonderful peachy fruit. Tim's dry wines are every bit as good as his wet ones
Estate Kabinett - Easily the best Kabinett I tasted from the 2006 vintage. This wine was a Kabinett too, Not a dumbed down Auslese or Spatlese. Crisp and extremely minerally with an elegant mouthfeel and lovely cassis fruit. Just off-dry as a Kabinett should be. This is a must buy case purchase.
Bockenauer Felseneck Spatlese - Just like Donnhoff has his Hermannshohle Spatlese, which is the wine that best represents the pinnacle of Donnhoff's excellence, Tim Frohlich has his Bockenauer Felseneck Spatlese. There is zero botrytis in this wine.Tim was very proud of this fact and he should be as it represents severe selection in the vineyard. This is shimmering with crystal-clean pure fruit, crisp acidity and a haunting velvety texture. Just an absolutely spectacular Spatlese.
Bockenauer Felseneck Auslese - The first of Tim's wines to have any botrytis and it is super clean just like '05. Have no idea how he does it. Just deep dried and very rich apricot and red fruits with absolutely amazing purity. This wine packs a serious punch but kisses you right after.
And a special bonus wine!!!!
2005 Monziger Halenberg Berenauslese - Just an amazing wine that oozes class and really shows the pure clean botrytis of the vintage. A heartbreaker. Extremely Limited. (.375ml)
