Opened the Fuerst 2022 “R” about 3 hours ahead of dinner. At that point, it had some distinct reduction but also a very piercing, bitter, lime zest character. So double decanted. Served alongside a 2017 Ente “En La Richard” Puligny. Structurally, it was quite out-muscled but that did not matter to me at all. Quiet intensity, and a lovely, lively filigree feel on the palate (similar to something I see in Leflaive Pucelles in great vintages - in terms of feel, not substance). Lemon, salt, seashells, very elegant. Served blind, I was a bit surprised nobody picked it as Chablis. In my mind, it certainly has similarities (and it’s probably what I would have picked blind, but then I was basically wrong all night 
) but it is also its own, quite distinct thing. Someone picked up “petrol character” on the nose, which I didn’t really get myself; more just a continued reductive hint.
I like challenging.
Why I am not suprised, Robert?!
P.S.
I will make a petition to our President Steinmeyer to honour you
with the „Bundesverdienstkreuz“for your great work/ Passion for German Wines
As I always tell KP I do the easy part, the growers do the real work / hard part!
You should! Few does it as passionately and successfully.
New label, beautiful wine.
Less reductive than the 2022, which makes it more approachable right out of the bottle. This also makes the oak usage more noticeable in this vintage. But it is well balanced with the fruit and its salty mineral character. Less citrus notes this time around. High acidity and only 12,5% abv makes it immensely fresh and energized.
Blind I would have have guessed Burgundy. Only bought four bottles. Need a few more.
DIAM 30
A mature blue chip here
Huber (Malterdinger) Alte Reben 2017
Fresher than expected. Everything is in place: mellow acidity, rich peachy fruit, a touch of toast and flint. Yet somehow missing personality and nerve.Good, not great.
Wish I could get those in the U.S. I have one recent suitcase import that I need to open.
Huber‘s single vineyard Chardonnays and Pinots are among few difficult to source German wines. You have to be fast, or plugged in, to get any. Wildenstein is now 200+ eur.
The two things that I end up finding lacking in a lot of Huber’s wines. In fact more often than not. They’re good wines, but…
Last night the #EastBayRieslingSquad hosted @LisaT for a Tupetz Wine Connection tasting in Albany, CA. Thanks to her we had a chance to try out the Dreissigacker Bechtheimer Chardonnay 2021. This was a very interesting wine - lots of florals on the nose, something I find more often then not in German Chards, plus creamy vanilla. The palate was complex, but with a bit more vanilla then I prefer. Per Lisa it is raised in only 20% new French oak. Cannot recall if there is used oak or stainless or both for the remainder. The vanilla did cover up some of the florals that were present on the palate. Despite my reservations, I will be picking up at least one more as it is a well crafted wine and a good addition to a putative German Chardonnay tasting.
I also picked up floral notes in some Germany Chardonnay. I think it mostly depends on the clones used.
Philipp Kuhn - Chardonnay Réserve 2019
What a surprise! Cool reduction, apple, citrus, tropical notes, fine oak, yellow flowers, mineralic, smoky. Fresh and salty, med+ body, balanced and long lasting. Elegant and high drinkabilty. Burgundy meets Pfalz 
Philipp Kuhn has some incredible wines. I tasted my way through their portfolio at a few trade shows when I was in Germany, very cool!! Big fan of their Pinot Blanc Ortswein as well.
Thanks @Pau1_M3nk3s for sharing your thoughts on my Dreissigacker Chardonnay. Here are a few more details about the wine: It settles over night and then ferments spontanoeously with native yeast 100% in partly new, partly second use 500-Liter-Tonneau barrels. It stays on full lees contact for 1.5 years. After racking, the wine stays on fine lees until bottling. I am a big fan! I am down to the last few bottles but ordering more.
Also, I just got the WUNDERWERK 2019 Riesling from Dreissigacker listed at THE FRENCH LAUNDRY as well!
