Archive: Germany: Rheingau

Georg Breuer 2002 Riesling QbA Rheingau Montosa ($20). Apricot and tropical fruit flavors and aromas, with generous mineral, honey and light herbal notes. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Robyn’s Picks, 04/04)

Prinz von Hessen 1998 Riesling Kabinett Rheingau Johannisberger Klaus ($13). This is one of my favorites, since it seems to cover a lot of bases very well. It is sleek, multi-layered, full of orange, lime, nectarine, and mineral. Very good now, but will be even better in a couple of years. (Wine Tasting Party, 06/00)

Schloss Schonborn

1998 Riesling Spätlese Rheingau Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg ($27). Very nice array of peach, just a touch of grapefruit, some mineral, and a hint of tropical fruit – this Spätlese is drinking extremely well now and should continue to do so for a few more years. Wonderful. (Wine Tasting Party, 06/00)

1997 Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Rheingau Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg ($310). Hard to find, but well worth it, this Trockenbeerenauslese is a winner with full-blown apricot, wild honey, spice, and a touch of pistachio-like nuttiness. Very sweet, but very good. Wonderful now and should age for at least a decade. (Wine Tasting Party, 06/00)

Schloss Vollrads

2001 Riesling Trocken Rheingau ($16). Dr. Hepp described this wine as the “fingerprint” of the winery’s quality policy — this is their entry level wine, and they strive to make it reflect the high quality of their entire winemaking effort. Crisp acidity and mineral accented fruit upfront lead to opulent spice and wildflower honey emerging on the finish. Medium bodied and dry. Ready to drink now. Outstanding with Chef Tim Keating’s (of Houston’s Quattro) Bluepoint oysters on the half shell with Asian Mignonette sauce. (Weekend Wine, 11/02)

2001 Riesling Kabinett Rheingau ($17). Rich and elegant, with concentrated apple and peach fruit mingling with substantial mineral and spice notes. Fairly sweet but balanced. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. A great match for horseradish crusted salmon with leeks and celery-butter emulsion. (Weekend Wine, 11/02)

1999 Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken Rheingau ($17). Incredible floral and peach bouquet leads to impressive concentrated fruit, including luscious peach, orange rind, and apricot. Mouthwatering acidity. Off-dry. Great length. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine, 11/02)

1999 Riesling Spatlese Rheingau ($26). A good example of a sweet Riesling with the classic acidity that keeps the wine from being cloying. Intense peach and tropical fruit aromas and flavors are accented with mineral and subtle spice notes. Lingering finish. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Weekend Wine, 11/02)

1999 Riesling Spatlese Halbtrocken Rheingau ($26). Just off-dry, with a solid medium-bodied structure. Mineral studded apple and peach fruit, with a pronounced citrus note emerging on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine, 11/02)

1999 Riesling Auslese Rheingau ($46). Opulently sweet, with spicy peach and apple fruit forward, mineral notes, and lush honey. Supported by acidity that prevents over the top sweetness. Finish is generous and focused. Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. (Weekend Wine, 11/02)

Staatsweinguter Kloster Eberbach 1998 Riesling Kabinett Rheingau Steinberger ($19). This is an ice princess of a wine – regal, no-nonsense, crisp and clean. Quite a bit of mineral flavor mixes elegantly with ample citrus. Good now, but will be even better in a couple of years. (Wine Tasting Party, 06/00)