About eight of us who are mostly active on the WLTV forum got together in Chicago two weeks ago for what we dubbed a “Riesling Summit”. With 17 different wines, we crossed three countries, 40 years, and multiple verticals/horizontals/diagonals. They were all very good to great, and only one was slightly flawed. I was also surprised to find that only one or two showed the oft heard petrol characteristic. The restaurant (which charges only $5/btl for BYO) was an authentic Cantonese restaurant with fantastic food, particularly their duck; the total bill was <$300, a full third of which was corkage. My notes and a couple pictures follow: They aren’t quite as detailed as I normally like due to focusing on comparing the various wine/pairings and of course fantastic fellowship.
CHICAGO RIESLING SUMMIT 2011 - Sun Wah BBQ, Chicago, IL (8/6/2011)
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2008 von Schleinitz Riesling Brut - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
A nice wine to open the evening. Very crisp nose with notes of lemon/lime. Everyone at the table commented how great the acidity was at least once. Nice minerality and mouthfeel as well. I re-tasted this at the end of the night and I think this ended up being the driest wine we opened. (88 pts.) -
2010 Grans-Fassian Riesling Catharina - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Brought by one of the party direct from Germany to sample the 2010 vintage, which is just starting to trickle into the US, though he said this cuvee is currently not imported. Racy, crisp nose with lime; flavors of stone fruit, white peach and herbs. Again, fantastic acidity. (91 pts.) -
1990 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile - France, Alsace, Ribeauvillé, Alsace AOC
Two 375s were brought to the dinner, and both seemed somewhat oxidized, one more than the other. Golden color, with a seductive yellow apple/mango nose, but tastes a bit sherry-like. -
2006 Markko Johannisberg Riesling - USA, Ohio, Lake Erie
The winemaker at Markko studied under Dr Konstantin Frank, and I have been told this is one of the best riesling producers in Ohio. I brought this just to compare to the rest of the wines, all of which were from Germany/Alsace. I found it a bit hard to place as it almost reminded me more of a chardonnay than a riesling- yellow color, fairly rich almost creamy nose. Dry, with peach and lemon creme notes on the palate. (86 pts.) -
1997 Kruger-Rumpf Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
Lemon and stone-fruit notes. Less acidic and thinner than the other wines of the night, and with a very short finish, but still pleasant. (88 pts.) -
1994 Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Pittersberg Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
Still fresh, with a creamy nose, and flavors of nectarine. The palate was also creamy yet maintained acidity, and the finish was pleasant and long. (92 pts.) -
1971 Franz Karl Schmitt Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Auslese - Germany, Rheinhessen
Dark color, sherry-like, with a toffee/caramel nose, thick rich palate with similar characteristics. Aged but not flawed. Very unique. (91 pts.) -
**2003 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese **** - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Juicy nectarine/peach notes. This tasted sweeter than some of the other wines of the evening, but still had good acidity. (92 pts.) -
**2003 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese ***** - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Similar to the ** in terms of sweet peach, with a bit of frizzante action. Long finish that shows a bit of lime. (91 pts.) -
2006 Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
Nose of stone fruit, wet sonte, and honey. Maybe just a hint of petrol. Rich palate full of honey, peach, Rainier cherry, green tea, and acid. Absolutely delicious. (94 pts.) -
2006 Dönnhoff Schloßböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
Lovely aromas of grilled peaches drizzles with honey. The taste of green tea on the palate is unique and undeniable. Also rich with characteristic honey, but slightly less acidity than the Norheimer Kirschheck. (93 pts.) -
2006 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
My WOTN. Lush with honey, peach and lime notes. A big yet elegant wine. Extremely long finish. Fantastic. (95 pts.) -
2002 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
Nose of fried plantains (which I just had the night before). Flavors of plantain, lime and rose. Quite fresh; lighter-bodied than the 06 with a medium-length finish. (93 pts.) -
2004 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben-Thanisch) Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Creamy, with vanilla and stone fruit notes. Not as acidic as most of the evening’s wins, but velvety and delicious with a fairly long finish. (93 pts.) -
2003 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben-Thanisch) Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Notes of spearmint, honey, and a bit of slate. Great minerality. Drier and less acidity/ a shorter finish than the 04 Auslese, but extremely balanced and tasty. (92 pts.) -
2006 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
The nose was all crushed rocks, slate, wet stone, minerals, etc. Light-bodied, with honey and green tea flavors. Medium finish. (92 pts.) -
1995 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
The nose has a smokey aspect, along with flint and vegetal notes, maybe a hint of petrol. Absolutely no fruit, though that comes out more on the palate along with honey. Light and acidic, with a medium finish. (91 pts.)
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