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.
But this is so different from off-dry German Riesling, so much that they could be different grape varieties.
While I love the Loewen 1896, I do balk at the price, which is basically double the Selbach Ur Alte Reben.
The greatest off-dry / feinherb riesling?
The Gackes

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Ur Alte Reben
It’s a bit disappointing these are relatively high ABV.

The Gackes
This is a lieu-dit in the Thörnicher Ritsch farmed by Julian Ludes. Gackes Oben and Gackes Unten. Excellent wines!
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.
What about Stein’s Alfer Holle 1900? That should be in the price range and style preference.
Thanks,
Zachary
No but the 1988 Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Auslese Halbtrocken was really magnificent in November 2018
Grunhaus Superior and Selbach Uralte Reben.

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

What about Stein’s Alfer Holle 1900? That should be in the price range and style preference.
Thanks,
Zachary
But it’s not expensive enough
Winesearcher low is like $75 which is close enough
Thanks,
Zachary
Different from comparing Chiani to Brunello?