The greatest off-dry / feinherb riesling?

Thanks for providing a link to that thread. I didn’t bother to look for it.

David,

Russell Faulkner kindly linked to a previous discussion.

These wines were a staple for me from the mid-60s through the 70s. As per the previous thread, at the time I had no way at home of measuring sugar, TA or pH. As per Lars Carlberg in the previous thread, the sugars were actually usually in the range of 20 - 30 grams, I don’t mind being corrected.

Not so much correction, as we are talking about different eras. It helps to know the time period you are talking about.

I was introduced to Maximin Grunhaus in the mid to late 60s; loved it, could rarely afford it. A year or two later I branched out and my go-to became the Winzerverein Ayler Kupp. Ockfener Bockstein, Serriger Schloss Saarsteiner, Auf der Wiltinger Kupp came into the mix as well.

This is my favorite. It has such amazing depth, a broad range of fruit expression, and something that I can only call earthy, almost like development but not quite, that makes it really distinctive. It’s one of the most impressive, complex young Rieslings I have had, across multiple vintages.

For me, a close second to the above. People who prefer a more citrusy expression might prefer it. There are some similar characteristics here. I don’t know if it has to do with the extremely old vines, winemaking, sites, or (I suspect) a combination of the three.

For me, the Mosel and its tributaries are where these off-dry Rieslings really shine.

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But this is so different from off-dry German Riesling, so much that they could be different grape varieties.

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While I love the Loewen 1896, I do balk at the price, which is basically double the Selbach Ur Alte Reben.

last month in Berlin!

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The greatest off-dry / feinherb riesling?

The Gackes

It’s a bit disappointing these are relatively high ABV.

This is a lieu-dit in the Thörnicher Ritsch farmed by Julian Ludes. Gackes Oben and Gackes Unten. Excellent wines!

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How might you expect the ABV to be lower in these days of climate change? It’s not going to be 8% and just off-dry.

The cadastral place-name, or Gewannname, is Auf dem Gackes. Hermann Ludes nicknames his holding in this vineyard area as “Gackes oben” and “Gackes unten,” or the part of Gackes above and below the slate crag.

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What about Stein’s Alfer Holle 1900? That should be in the price range and style preference.

Thanks,

Zachary

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No but the 1988 Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Auslese Halbtrocken was really magnificent in November 2018

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Grunhaus Superior and Selbach Uralte Reben.

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That one occurred to me but in most vintages it feels much closer to fully trocken than feinherb.

Keith,

I think sometimes it’s Feinherb, sometimes Trocken. But it should be easy to source from Vom Boden.

Thanks,

Zachary

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But it’s not expensive enough :clinking_glasses:

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Winesearcher low is like $75 which is close enough :wink:

Thanks,

Zachary

Different from comparing Chiani to Brunello?