TASTE: bit watery and light on Day 1, but it filled-in on subsequent days; high acid; very limey; still drinking nicely at Day 12; once it filled-in, it was surprisingly fruity, yet with plenty of mineral and lots of acidity. Excellent, but strong HOLD recommendation on this.
The Webers actually only specify parcel nicknames when there is more than one wine from the same site. There have been some exceptions in the past. And some wines (i.e., parcels) have already been specified by using a particular place-name, such as Ober Schäfershaus or Im Kleinschock, instead.
For example, Krettnacher Altenberg Spätlese trocken comes from the same parcel of old vines in the place-name Enkers Weinberg. Erich Weber, however, just chalks “Altenberg” on the cask. (This parcel actually has no nickname and was one of the original vineyards from his mother.) In contrast, a parcel of old vines nicknamed Lorenz Manni and underpinned by more diabase on the same slope is labeled Ober Schäfershaus, where the Webers have three contiguous parcels in this prime location.
To confuse matters further, those three adjoining parcels in Ober Schäfershaus, which is a section of Altenberg, are nicknamed Lorenz Herbert, Lorenz Manni, and Lorenz Marie. The first two were planted at the same time as one vineyard and were later split into two vineyards. The Webers acquired Lorenz Herbert a few years later than Lorenz Manni. But the age of the vines is the same. They planted Lorenz Marie several years ago; the vines are still young.
I should add that Auf dem Hölzchen, where the Webers also acquired a parcel of old vines, is the place-name just up the slope from Ober Schäfershaus.
Ha! We bottled four 2023s this morning—Serriger, Munny, Altenberg, and Weissburgunder. About 80 percent of the vintage has been bottled. Tonight, I’m drinking a bottle of 2023 Ternes. I’ve recently had bottles of several other 2023 Kabinetts, including Kugel Peter, Gisela, and Mia. All the wines are very fine.
After a long day of vineyard work, I uncorked a bottle of 2023 Niedermenniger Sonnenberg Kabinett trocken, nicknamed Munny. It’s a featherlight, steely, bone-dry Saar wine.