Back in July the East Bay Riesling Squad here in the SF Bay Area opened one of these. It was outstanding!
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I’ll bring a 2020 Onkel Peter to Tuesday’s Squad meetup. 
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From Niedermenniger Herrenberg, Mosel Fine Wines rated the 2020 Palm #3 as our top wine of the vintage, a point higher than the 2020 Onkel Peter #4. Whereas Vinum Weinguide Deutschland 2022 awarded the 2020 Meyer Nepal #11 as the best Riesling Kabinett and/or feinherb in 2020; the two categories were combined only in this edition, after which the wine guide stopped ranking feinherb wines. Before this, the guide produced a top-ten list of feinherbs each vintage.
Previous award winners of best Riesling feinherb:
2019 Thörnicher Ritsch Kabinett feinherb “Gackes oben,” Hermann Ludes
2018 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Spätlese feinherb #21 “Deutschen,” Hofgut Falkenstein
2017 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Spätlese feinherb #23 “Herbert,” Hofgut Falkenstein
2016 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Spätlese feinherb #3 “Palm,” Hofgut Falkenstein
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Buerklin Wolf Wachenheim 2017
Village late release, a special bottling for an important German retailer.
Surprisingly open and well balanced (B-W are known to take their time to come around). White and yellow stone fruit, lime, star fruit, honeydew melon, autumn fruit on the nose and the palate. With fine floral and herbal elements, petrol free, a trace of matchstick and linoleum.
Rich yet vivid, with good acidity and energy. Clean, long finish, with a pinch of salt. True to the Pfalz terroir, with chalky core.
A fine affordable alternative to the premium bottlings (Pechstein is now 150 eur). Bonus points for the screwcap.
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Very special was Künstler Hölle Auslese trocken Goldcap 2003. In Mai 2006 I noted: “unbelievable wine, confuses me, have to taste this again”
Now I tasted it again, this time blind. No idea what it could be and surely not what you would expect from a 2003 Auslese trocken. This has smoky aromas and reminds me of smoked bacon, herbs, salted lemon, the palate very concentrated, salty, electric.
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- 2004 Kees-Kieren Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Beerenauslese Auction - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (9/1/2024)
Nose: Candied apricot, honey, orange, ginger, gingersnap, botrytis spice, whipped cream
Palate: Tangerine creamsicle, honey, whipped cream; long+ finish of cinnamon, gingersnap, spice, honey; medium+ sweetness; medium+ body; high acidity that persists through the finish
Overall thoughts: Wow! What an electric BA with a piercing laser of acidity that electrifies the palate and doesn't let go. Incredible tension. Gorgeous fruit, honey, cream and spice notes and a finish that won't stop. Legendary wine!
I didn't get an hint of tertiary notes that were noted in the Mosel Fine Wines review. This bottle was incredibly vibrant and has many, many years left (but is ready to go now for my tastes). (98 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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Markus Molitor - Alte Reben Saar 2018
Lovely stone fruits, elderflower and a faint classic petrol whiff. Very ripe taste of chameh, grapefruit and peach. Dry but the hot vintage is shining through. Very balanced but I don’t see it improving much with age.
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The joys of half bottle aging. I had a half of 2001 Hermannshöhle Auslese a few weeks ago that was full of life.
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I’d say it’s more to do with 06 than the format. But we will never know I suppose.
Well there’s that too. 2006 was so bizarre across the board.
Nice to be drinking some German Riesling again. Had some Alsatian while living in France which was good but not the same thing as a Kabi with sugar. Tried two while living in Argentina and, well, probably best for Argentina to grow something else.
This is right in the zone where I like them. Could use another 2-5 years but no complaints here. Think I bought this at PJ’s or maybe Astor on release. Probably not more than $20.
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Heresy! Alsatian Riesling ftw!
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I like Alsace too. Riesling in general remains pretty neglected by most consumers and especially Alsace. I suppose this is to everyone’s benefit who likes it. Kind of a shame for the growers, though.
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Agree with all that.
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I’m going back to France soon and plan on trying more Alsace. Seems like there is a little bit of a new wave of young producers there.
Absolutely. And the reds I think are coming more into their own.
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do people read/follow/buy based on Vinum?
Picture number one induces apoplexy in this snowflake. I keep reminding myself I was only 16 in 1992, and couldn’t possibly have taken advantage of the low tariff, but I am still pissed!
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