2013  

100% Pinot Blanc. We are fans of this estate - among the best producers of Pinot Noir (Spatburgunder) in Germany. This is a lovely example of the charms of Pinot Blanc, made by the young Friedrich Wilhelm, building on the strong reputation that his father, also Friedrich, established over the last four decades. Although a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc is structurally close to Chardonnay. This is fairly rich, with an expressive yellow fruit & citrus nose, and a palate that is layered and tense with acidity. Situated at the very southern end of the Pfalz, this estate actually owns a significant portion of vineyard land across the border in Alsace-which they are allowed to label legally as German wine. The whole operation feels like a hybrid of French technique with German tradition. Young Fritz Becker gleefully experiments with French vs German clones of Pinor Noir and French vs German barrels-including numerous casks he picked up (used) from Romanée-Conti and Comtes Lafon!

2013  Riesling QbA Trocken GG Domdechaney

2004  Niederhauser Hermannshohle

Niederhauser Hermannshohle - Stained label

2014  Scharzhofberger Riesling

2014  

2011  Spatlese, Dry

100% Riesling. Dry. 12.5% alcohol. Opens with a whiff of kerosene. Focused and precise, rather full-bodied for a Mosel, but very nice. nicely balanced sweetness with acidity. In 1997 Thomas Haag bought the estate. He is the son of Wilhelm Haag, proprietor of the Fritz Haag estate. The estate is now comprised of seven hectares (17.5 acres) of vineyard which are 100% planted to Riesling. The vineyards are some of the steepest on the Middle Mosel with grades up to 70%. Thomas strives to make wines with ripe acid structure, vibrant and petillant palate, with the pure expression of fruit - racy and light.

2014  

100% Riesling. Great riesling with an aromatic fruit profile tending more towards the middle - pear & some peach skin. A little grip, suggesting there might have been some skin contact. Medium+ acidity. Nice weight. 10.5% abv. Dry!

1989  Hattenheim Pfaffenberg

This is the oldest estate in Germany under continuous family ownership: 27 generations spanning over 650 years. No other estate in the Rheingau possesses such a bevy of fine vineyards as this highly traditional property in Hattenheim, writes Joel Payne. Indeed, their formidable holdings of 50ha in the Rheingau comprise choice parcels in 38 vineyards, which include virtually all of the top sites of the appellation. Most have been in the family’s care since 1349; several fabulous sites, like the grand cru Erbacher Marcobrunn, were added in the 17th and 18th centuries. Ninety percent of the production is Riesling. Yields are exceptionally low and the best wines are aged in monumental 100-year-old casks.

2020  Riesling Grosses Gewachs

Riesling Grosses Gewachs

2012  

A Pinot noir made from manually-harvested grapes which undergo a spontaneous fermentation in open wooden barrels. The malolactic fermentation takes place in barrique. This Pinot displays a deep red fruity flavour with a complex character; fine and delicate and possessing the Burgundian capability of being able to develop further from year to year. Unfiltered.