2023 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett #3 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (11/1/2025)
A good vintage of a WS Kabinett is like a Gary Oldman performance - simply effortless. As is the case here. With a color as clear as spring water this delivers its youthful orchard fruits with a quiet but affective delivery. I found I liked this a little cooler than I normally drink my Pradikat wines as it seemed to focus the acidity a little more. Just needs time but worth an early look. (93 points)
2021 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (11/2/2025)
Monica Larners note has this as ‘the oak element is a little too much’ and while it was certainly apparent in the first few sips, it soon folded in nicely adding a little veneer to an overall all structured and fairly dense Felsina Reserva package. Succulent and ripe dark cherry fruit hovers over the tannin and very fresh acidity. There was a juiciness trait too that had me thinking of a well crafted Brunello and I don’t mean that as a pejorative. I suspect this is going to be long lived and a wise cellar candidate - all the more so for the $32 price tag.
2019 Château d’Issan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (11/2/2025)
Decanted 6hrs. And another great showing by d’Issan which along with Brane, is rapidly moving up not only my Margaux Totem Pole, but really anywhere in Bordeaux for that matter, the Chateau is simply on a heater since 2016. More overt structure than the 2020 (which has plenty mind you) but still maintains elegance and class with an oh so delicious medley of blackcurrant compote, fresh cut flowers, and a healthy dose of the grounding soil element. I have always loved this label too
Good to read. Bought a bunch of the Willi Schaefer 2023s, and the cartons are currently stacked in a leaning tower in my cellar that totally precludes me getting to a bunch of other wines, but I still didn’t open one yet. Was reliably informed that they are superb, however.
2023 Willi Schaefer GH Kabi showed really well a couple of months ago.
Maybe it is just me, but I feel Schaefer’s Himmelreich wines generally shows better young than Domprobst (I always feel Domprobst needs time to fully unwind and show its potential.)
I’ve had the 2023 Domprobst Kabi a couple times now, including last week. I find it drinks surprisingly well now compared to pre-2020 vintages when young, especially with a decant and some air. But I think it still fits the old standard — I expect it to shut down at some point over the next year and need rest until age ~12-15. We will see.
By contrast, 2020 has always been delicious and open. And 2021 was stricter young (not too surprisingly) than either of those. (I skipped 2022.)
I like Himmelreich but decided to stop buying when it became clear Christoph had dialed in the Sonnenuhr wines including the 23 Kabi.
Thanks for the datapoint Jayson. I should check in on '23 Domprobst; always good to have an excuse to drink Schaefer.
And also interesting to hear about the Schaefer Sonnenuhr wines. I haven’t had them too often in the past, it would be good to check in. Will need to track that down.
I think the only 2020 Schaefers I have are the Spatlese #5; I’m assuming those should slumber?
I bought '22 Schaefer just for the sake of continuity and maintaining the vertical, but never got around to opening a bottle. Fingers crossed.
