This
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When it comes to German wine my strategy is simple buy all I can afford (then a little more) and open it for as many people around the world as I can.
I think we need to bump this thread.
If the quality of the wines from the 2020 vintage is anything like those of 2019, I’m going to need to rent another storage locker.
Maybe you could narrow the selection somewhat by only focusing on “vintages of the century”!
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Brian, most vintages are pretty good these days and have something to offer. Some are better than others, but I don’t think you need to feel like you have to back up the truck every vintage (of course it may be too late for that).
Maybe I was exaggerating a little. I always buy my favorite bottlings year after year, but I have many favorite bottlings 
Brian, there will always be another great vintage in the future, so buy over time. Unless you have unlimited space or income.
I’ve been scouring the forums for insight into German Rieslings. This post has been very helpful. However, I am having a hard time sourcing some of these wines.
I love riesling, and have been on the look out for these alleged $18-$35 bottles from top producers in Germany. Unfortunately, I am having a very hard time finding any outside of the 2021 vintage, and even then it’s only with Saratoga Wine Exchange (which has great reviews from this forum). I’ve seen a couple bottles for sale from prior vintages, but they are all $40-$50+ per bottle before shipping.
Do you all have another source for great German rieslings? I live in a wine desert where the only retail options are a local supermarket, Total Wine, and Trader Joe’s (bleh!). TW did have a couple bottles of Zilliken on the shelf for $52…far from the value I keep hearing about.
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I would take a hard pass on recent Zilliken. The wines have fallen off a cliff in recent vintages. What wines are you having a hard time finding? JJ Prum is a no-brainer and should be readily available.
Alex
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Buy off the internet. Look at WHWC if they ship to where you’re at, as well as Saratoga, Grapes, WineX. Also, there was a big bump with the 2021 vintage, so a lot of the “best of the best” producers are now in the $50+ range where they used to be in the range you listed.
There are still wines to be found. Try MF Richter (absolute steal) and Donnhoff’s Kabinetts to start. Some others can probably weigh in.
There is a ton of inexpensive, great Riesling, and even most of the more expensive Riesling is a great value. You’re having trouble finding older vintages at stores because a lot of those wines have already come and gone, especially the more in demand wines. 2021 is an excellent vintage, so I encourage you to check it out.
Max Ferd Richter makes great wine and is very inexpensive, especially at the Kabinett level. Herman Ludes and Fritz Haag are also great and wonderfully priced, especially at the lower Pradikats.
I second buying from WHWC and WineX if they ship to you.
look at bassins.com
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Where are you based?
Check this out - Brian knows his German wines. Plenty in your price range.
(Germany cellar thinning/spring sale!)
Also a couple here . FS: Old World Odds & Ends (incl Foillard, Prum, Grunhaus, Burgs)
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@RylanJacobs I’d definitely take Barry’s advice and buy from Brian, in fact I might do that myself…