Best Riesling now available at retail for <$25?

[Dan_Rosenheck]

Recommendations appreciated. I don’t mind a bit of residual sugar.

[Nathan_Smyth]

If your gums and your teeth can take the acid, then look for the 2012 Donnhoff “Riesling” [what we used to call the “Estate” or “QBA”].

But it’s pushing the envelope as far as what most people will be comfortable with in their mouths, and in that sense it reminds me of the 2010 Huets [which were frankly a little difficult to swallow, and not particularly pleasant to drink when I tried them].

And if you suffer from severe tooth sensitivity, then the 2012 Donnhoff “Riesling” will make you scream in pain.

[salilb]

Willi Schaefer (vineyard irrelevant) Kabinett.

[jcoley3]

Three I’ve had recently and loved with RS:

1. Fritz Haag 2012 Estate QBA
2. Von Hovel 2011 Estate Kabinett
3. Ziliken 2012 'Butterfly

And dry

1. Fox Run Finger Lakes Dry Riesling
2. Maximin Grunhaus 2010 Trocken
3. Gobelsburger 2011 Kamptal Tradition (but really just about any recent version of this)

post-edit
4) Wagner Stempel Estate Trocken makes four in the last category!

[Robert.A.Jr]

@Nathan Smyth

If your gums and your teeth can take the acid, then look for the 2012 Donnhoff “Riesling” [what we used to call the “Estate” or “QBA”].

But it’s pushing the envelope as far as what most people will be comfortable with in their mouths, and in that sense it reminds me of the 2010 Huets [which were frankly a little difficult to swallow, and not particularly pleasant to drink when I tried them].

And if you suffer from severe tooth sensitivity, then the 2012 Donnhoff “Riesling” will make you scream in pain.

Excellent recommendation, I found the acid perfect!

How is the 2013? It’s out now.

[Peter_Tryba]

Basically “dry,” but still has some nice juiciness: Von Othegraven 2010 Altenberg Kabinett

I’m in 100% on the Gobelsburg suggestion!

Also, I’m a big fan of the 2012 Selbach-Oster 2012 Zeltinger Himmelreich Kabinett Halbtrocken.

[Dan_Rosenheck]

Thanks very much, guys. Another quick question–what is the stylistic/quality difference between Graacher Domprost and Graacher Himmelreich?

[C_0_R_E_Y_M]

@salilb

Willi Schaefer (vineyard irrelevant) Kabinett.

This is a good choice, but can be hard to find <$25.

Donnhoff’s kabinetts are only slightly more than the QbA and are generally excellent in a slightly different style from Schaefer, and are easier to find than Schaefer’s.

[Kris_Patten]

Schafer Fröhlich Medium Dry and from Washington, Eroica or Eroica Gold.

[A_So]

@Dan Rosenheck

Thanks very much, guys. Another quick question–what is the stylistic/quality difference between Graacher Domprost and Graacher Himmelreich?

I second all the recommendations of W. Schaefer and Doennhoff kabinetts. Get the '12 instead of the '13. I find Domprobst stonier and more cerebral than the Himmelreich (and I prefer it as well). It also seems like it needs a bit more time to come around.

[Robert_Panzer]

Zilliken Rausch Kabinett, any vintage.

[Paul_McCourt]

I like AJ Adams a lot. Peter Lauer too.

[Zachary_Ross]

The 2012 Merkelbach Kabinetts and Spatleses are terrific and all at or below that price point.

[D_o_u_g_P_a_b_s_t]

@Nathan Smyth

If your gums and your teeth can take the acid, then look for the 2012 Donnhoff “Riesling” [what we used to call the “Estate” or “QBA”].

But it’s pushing the envelope as far as what most people will be comfortable with in their mouths, and in that sense it reminds me of the 2010 Huets [which were frankly a little difficult to swallow, and not particularly pleasant to drink when I tried them].

And if you suffer from severe tooth sensitivity, then the 2012 Donnhoff “Riesling” will make you scream in pain.

+1 on the Donnhoff, though I didn’t find the acid noticeably high at all - it’s really well-balanced with the fruit. If you want German, this one’s hard to beat. The 2012 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Kabinett halbtrocken is also pretty darn good. If you like Alsace or Austria, you have a ton of additional options. I usually like Weinbach’s Riesling Personelle, and you should be able to find that for under $25. Too many others are coming to mind to list, really.

[John_F_Ingram]

I like quite a few by Leitz:

Dragonstone (15 - 18)
Magdalenenkreuz spatlese (18 - 22)
Eins Zwei dry “3” (16 - 19)
Leitz out (10 - 12)

[Russ_Williams]

@John F. Ingram

I like quite a few by Leitz:

Dragonstone (15 - 18)
Magdalenenkreuz spatlese (18 - 22)
Eins Zwei dry “3” (16 - 19)
Leitz out (10 - 12)

Agree on the Dragonstone '12 or '13 for under $20. Very good QPR!!

[Rob_Hansult]

I’ll second the recs for Kabinett’s (&/or Feinherb/Halbtrocken/Trocken) of Zilliken, Merkelbach, Donnhof, & Schaefer (also prefer the Domprobst slightly - a bit fuller/firmer/characterful), & add (in no particular order) Spreitzer, Leitz, Kesselstatt, Von Hovel, & especially Molitor (may be hard to find, but worth it), & Selbach-Oster.

Also for off-dry look for >
Lauer Barrel X (drinking one right now)
Immich-Batterieberg C.A.I.
Van Volxem Saar
Maximin Grunhaus QBA

All Great QPR, & all should be <$25

Look for the 2012’s (there should be a lot still around); one of the best vintages in over a decade, & far superior to the '13’s.

Cheers! & (most likely) Welcome to the Riesling Lovers Club!

[David_Bu3ker]

The’13 Dragonstone is notably drier than prior recent vintages. My taste perceptions on that were confirmed by Johannes Leutz a month ago.

As for the '12 Donnhoff Estate Riesling, Nathan has no idea what he is talking anout. It’s a fabulous wine with high but not unusual acids.

[Russ_Williams]

The '13 Dragonstone is drier than the '12, but the '12 is a damn fine wine in it’s own right.

[Gerhard_P]

You should seek out
TEGERNSEEHOF
from Wachau/Austria.
Exellent dry Rieslings - different qualities, sites, prices - and should be availoable in the US.