Last Week’s Tasting
Lighter German Wines; Lighter Prices

I was impressed with how tasters picked up the nuances of the more complex and less accessible of the Germans in last week’s. The two favorites were not the most forward or obvious, but the wines with the most complexity and nuance.
The 2005 Grans-Fassian Trittenheimer Riesling Kabinett was most mentions. Off dry, it was lively and mineral on the palate, with delicate citrus notes. It is drinking nicely now, but, I think, not quite at its peak and will drink nicely for the net couple of years. We have four cases left.
2007 Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese was only slightly less mentioned but was almost equal in purchases. By contrast it has a way to go to reach its apogee, now showing breed and finesse much more than sensuous fruit, but there is richness lurking behind its minerals and acids. We have a little over a case left.
The 2007 Bollig-Lehnert Dhron Hofberger Spatlese epitomized the lush richness of spatlese in a good vintage with its instantly appealing juicy ripe fruit. Some preferred the comparative dryness of the 2008 Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer Kreuz Riesling Kabinett as a low priced companion for food.
The two Fitz-Ritter wines from Rheinhesse were outliers, new to many tasters. People commented on both the dryness and the nutty character of the sparkling Fitz-Ritter Riesling Sekt. For some it was the most interesting. The 2007 Fitz Ritter Gewurztraminer Spatlese had the characteristic lychee and rose character of the grape. Although its expression was more delicately balanced than many of its Alsatian counterparts, it was stronger than any New World rendition, and was over-the-top for some. With Thai or the Asian spiced grill, it would be just right.

Sparkling

Fitz Ritter Riesling Sekt; Aroma: clean light but firm & yeasty; Mouth: clean fresh, pretty and light ; Very Good 14.99; Mixed Case, 13.49; Case, 12.74

White

2008 Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer Kreuz Riesling Kabinett; Aroma: pretty, fresh, and clean; Mouth: clean pretty nicely rounded and fruity; Very Good 12.99; Mixed Case, 11.69; Case, 11.04

2007 Bollig-Lehnert Dhron Hofberger Spatlese; Aroma: heady sweet dense thick; Mouth: dense thick, semisweet good acid, firm clean finish; Very Good Plus 14.99; Mixed Case, 13.49; Case, 12.74

2005 Grans Fassian Trittenheimer Riesling Kabinett; Color: light gold green; Aroma: heady fullish, mature Riesling nose, softened petrol; Mouth: semisweet a touch of light stony acid, rich fruit, thick=k in midmouth finishes long with a refreshing sweet acidity; Very Good Plus 16.99; Mixed Case, 15.29; Case, 14.44

2007 Dr. Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese; Aroma: Rather light, heady, clean light red slate, ; Mouth: a touch of spritz, light acidity, young, fresh; Very Good Plus 26.99; Mixed Case, 24.29; Case, 22.94

2007 Fitz Ritter Gewurztraminer Spatlese; Aroma: light almost delicately aromatic fleshy, very light spice; Mouth: clean between just off dry to semisweet, balanced clean firm medium, bodied, finishes off dry; Very Good Plus 16.99; Mixed Case, 15.29; Case, 14.44

6/17 German Lights Case: Two each of the above wines at a special price of $176