2023 Falkenstein complete lineup Tasting Notes
The RieslingKenner 5th Annual Hofgut Falkenstein vintage charity tasting was held on December 8 at Easy Does It in Chicago, with all proceeds going to support The Trotter Project. This year we were so fortunate to have winemaker Johannes Weber join us from the winery. He was able to see, first hand, the love and affection that not only we have for the wines, but also the wine loving people of Chicago (and beyond) as well. We were again thrilled to be joined by German wine expert/legend David Schildknecht for the third straight year. We so appreciative our enthusiastic guests who came in from 8 different states to enjoy these great wines and support a wonderful cause.
We were able to offer our guests an opportunity to taste through the entire US allocation of 25 different current release bottlings which highlighted the highly anticipated 2023 vintage. The shear number of wines is something to behold when they are all lined up and presented for tasting. (notes by Patrick R)
NV Landwein: Coming from the younger Weisburgunder vines this is so much fun to drink. Juicy pears on a bright and racy palate
NV Pet Nat: From slightly older vines than the Landwein, this always tends to show a bit more depth. Like ginger infused pear cider with layers of citrus on top. So delicious.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Weissburgunder SpÀtlese trocken AP 2: This bottling seems to get better every vintage. Citrus, wildflowers, and particularly elegant and racy this year.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Rose trocken AP 23: Bright, refreshing, and full of energy. This SpÀtburgunder rose is delicious and begs for food.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Kabinett trocken âMutter Annaâ AP 1: A serious way to get into the Rieslings. Incredible cut with so much saline minerality that reminds me of the ocean. A hint of citrus that will most definitely show itself more with age.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Kabinett trocken âEgonâ AP 19: Always the most âgivingâ of these first few wines. A mix of tart citrus that paired wonderfully with notes of slate, and an almost orange whip like deliciousness at the finish.
2023 Niedermenniger Sonnenberg Kabinett trocken âMunnyâ AP 9: This wine cuts like a knife. Steely, mineral, smokey, and herbaceous. Falkenstein to the core.
2023 Krettnacher Auf dem Hölzchen Kabinett trocken AP 21: This felt more âripeâ than the others with piquant apples, candied lime and a light finish full of energy.
2023 Krettnacher Altenberg SpÀtlese trocken AP 7: Of the two SpÀtlese trocken this was the more angular with a slightly sharp edge of slate with delicate fruit lying below.
2023 Krettnacher Ober SchÀfershaus Riesling SpÀtlese trocken AP 18: This may be my favorite vintage ever for this wine. Incredibly mineral with tons of herbs and great grapefruit like tang.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Kabinett feinherb âHerbertâ AP 15: As always, this drinks incredibly well young. Juicy, playful, and delicious â bursting with citrus notes.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Kabinett feinherb âOnkel Peterâ AP 4: This was incredibly light and filigreed with layers of nuanced minerality. A flutter of lime and wonderfully herbal.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg SpĂ€tlese feinherb âMeyer Nepalâ AP 11: This was somehow both an explosion of racy fruit and incredibly light-footed. Crazy grip and an everlasting finish. Piquant citrus, a touch of spice and so much zip.
2023 Niedermenniger Herrenberg SpĂ€tlese feinherb âPalmâ AP 3: Wow, drinking so so well. Bursting from the glass with tangerines, white flowers, and sweet herbs. This wine has it all; expressive, delicious, and very very fine.
2023 Niedermenniger Im Kleinschock Riesling Kabinett AP 20: I say it every year, this is a like lemon-lime soda to me. Bright, flat out gulpable, and so much fun to drink.
2023 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabinett âArthuroâ AP 13: Very playful and fresh, with a light yet juicy feel. A cooling herbal note followed by piquant orchard fruit.
2023 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett âSchorschâ AP 17: Another playful bright Kabi that showed a very different fruit character that the others. Exotic yet restrained with a spicy finish.
2023 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabinett âTernesâ AP 14: A particularly successful vintage for this wine. Like a kaleidoscope of fruit flavors that show both a lip-smacking quality as well as great elegance.
2023 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabinett âKugel Peterâ AP 12: Man oh man is this one fun to drink. So playful and delicious. Citrus, golden kiwi, and tons of slate.
2023 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabinett Alte Reben âGiselaâ AP 8: A wow wine that balances depth and lightness in a way that is unmatched. Gorgeous layers of fruit, herbs, and minerality. This is a wine that stands out in a crowd. Not because it is loud, but because it has something very important to say.
2023 Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben âMiaâ AP 22: Like walking in a field of wildflowers, with a touch of cooling mint and piquant orchard fruit. So much going on here, wow.
2023 Krettnacher Euchariusberg SpĂ€tlese âKlausâ AP 6: A bit more creamy than the rest with ripe fruit, an herbal undertone, and finishes very clean.
2023 Krettnacher Euchariusberg SpĂ€tlese âMammenâ AP 24: Juicy and full of yum factor. Sweet citrus with a piquant finish to keep it all feeling fresh.
2023 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Auslese âFörsterâ AP 5: Another star in the lineup with great ripeness but an almost impossible elegance and lightness that makes you double check the label to make sure you say the word Auslese right. Tropical fruit with zippy citrus and an everlasting finish.
2022 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Rotwein trocken AP 10: This SpÀtburgunder is delicate and subtle with great bright red fruit and undertone of sweet herbs.
