WTN: Auction Wine Tasting - the holy grail of sweet Riesling

On Friday, the 9. Versteigerungsweinprobe took place in Berlin at the Hotel Brandenburger Hof organised by the wineshop Wein&Glas and attended by many winemakers. It was a pre-tasting of auction wines which will be auctioned at the end of the month. The auction will take place on 26th september at Trier and 28th september at Bad Kreuznach.
First, I have never tasted before such a terrific collection of sweet Rieslings. The wines of the vintage 2007 showed such an amazing elegant fruit combined with a big acidity which give the wines the necessary balance, finesse, freshness and drinking pleasure.


Note: the forecast of the possible final auction price is a prediction of the wineshop Wein&Glas. And the wineshop take your auction orders until 12th september

MG: Magnum
DMG: Double Magnum
Fl.: 0,75l. bottle
1/2 Fl.: half-bottle


But first 4 dry Rieslings.........

A. Christmann
2007 "Mandelgarten"
"Großes Gewächs"
24 MG @ 30 Euro /forecast 70-110 Euro
firm, clear structure with a good spice. Doesn´t impress me!


A. Christmann
2007 "Idig"
"Großes Gewächs"
18 DMG @ 60 Euro/forecast 220-300 Euro
No doubt, one of the best dry Riesling of the vintage. Outstanding structure. Flavors of herbs, blossoms, hay. Big power and great length. BUY


Wittmann
2007 "150 Tage"
240 Fl. @ 15 Euro/forecast 30-40 Euro
A new Riesling from the estate Wittmann in Rheinhessen. Comes from a little lot in the vineyard Morstein. Very focused Riesling with an impressive minerality, firm structure. BUY


Wittmann
2007 "Morstein"
"Großes Gewächs"
6 DMG @ 60 Euro/forecast 200-300 Euro
Also one of the best dry Riesling of the vintage. Terrific
complexity&length with a perfect mix of fruit and minerality. BUY



Egon Müller-Le Gallais
2007 Wiltinger braune Kupp
Auslese Goldkapsel
90 Fl. @ 80 Euro/forecast 120-175 Euro
90 1/2 Fl. @ 40 Euro/forecast 70-90 Euro
6 MG @ 160 Euro /forecast 250-380 Euro
filegree stuff, nice sweetness, not my taste.



Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken
2007 Saarburger Rausch
Spätlese
480 Fl. @ 18 Euro / forecast 26-36 Euro
Wonderful Spätlese, fresh, elegant, good acidity, play, flavors of passionfruit BUY


Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken
2007 Saarburger Rausch
Auslese
300 Fl. @ 30 Euro / forecast 45-75 Euro
lush fruit of lychee, freshness, great acidity BUY


Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken
2007 Saarburger Rausch
Auslese Goldkapsel
80 Fl. @ 50 Euro / forecast 90-120 Euro
120 1/2 Fl. @ 25 Euro / forecast 45-65 Euro
6 MG @ 100 Euro / forecast 180-200 Euro
very concentrated fruit of fig&date, lovely freshness, fine acidity, well-made!


Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken
2007 Saarburger Rausch
Auslese lange Goldkapsel
48 Fl. @ 90 Euro / forecast 180-250 Euro
72 1/2 Fl. @ 45 Euro / forecast 90-130 Euro
very, very concentrated fruit of shrunken raisin


Van Volxem
2007 Wawern Goldberg
Auslese
160 Fl. @ 35 Euro / forecast 50-60 Euro
160 1/2 Fl. @ 17,50 Euro / forecast 25-30 Euro
Normally, I am a big fan of his wines, but this Auslese was disappointing. Some hint of nail-polish, toffee



Egon Müller-Scharzhof
2007 Scharzhofberger
Spätlese
600 Fl. @ 25 Euro / forecast 60-70 Euro
According to Egon Müller a vintage like 1971. WOW, great stuff! Elegant, fresh, flavors of chocolate, balancing acidity, finesse BUY


Egon Müller-Scharzhof
2007 Scharzhofberger
Auslese
240 Fl .@ 60 Euro / forecast 120-150 Euro
Okay, good fruit and acidity


Egon Müller-Scharzhof
2007 Scharzhofberger
Auslese Goldkapsel
60 Fl. @ 120 Euro / forecast 350-500 Euro
108 1/2 Fl. @ 60 Euro / forecast 220-270 Euro
3 MG @ 800-1200 Euro / forecast 800-1200 Euro
Flavors of nougat, nuts, fine wine but lacks of acidity,


Schloss Lieser
Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr
Spätlese
360 Fl. @ 18 Euro / forecast 35-43 Euro
12 MG @ 36 Euro / forecast 70-100 Euro
WOW, very precise&clear fruit, great drinking pleasure
simply delicious BUY


Schloss Lieser
Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr
Auslese lange Goldkapsel
60 Fl. @ 90 Euro / forecast 150-220 Euro
60 1/2 Fl. @ 45 Euro / forecast 90-130 Euro
pure nectar, impressive clarity with impressive finesse


Heymann-Löwenstein
2007 Uhlen R
Auslese lange Goldkapsel
160 1/2 Fl. @ 40 Euro / forecast 70-85 Euro
quite disappointing performance!



Willi Schaefer
2007 Graacher Domprobst
Spätlese
420 Fl. @ 18 Euro / forecast 45-55 Euro
Gorgeous Spätlese with finesse and freshness. BUY



Willi Schaefer
2007 Graacher Domprobst
Auslese Goldkapsel
60 Fl. @ 50 Euro / forecast 120-160 Euro
120 1/2 Fl.@25 Euro / forecast 60-90 Euro
very concentrated fruit


Fritz Haag
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr
Spätlese
480 Fl. @ 18 Euro / forecast 45-53 Euro
30 MG @ 36 Euro / forecast 100 -120 Euro
3 DMG @ 72 / forecast 230-275 Euro
ripe fruit with a lot of baby fat, filigree, good acidity


Fritz Haag
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr
Auslese Goldkapsel
120 Fl. @ 50 Euro / forecast 110-130 Euro
120 1/2 Fl. @ 25 Euro / forecast 60-75 Euro
WOW, amazing wine. Very filigree and focused with a bombastic minerality&fruit BUY



Fritz Haag
2007 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr
Auslese lange Goldkapsel
60 Fl. @ 90 Euro / forecast 180-250 Euro
60 1/2 Fl. @ 45 Euro / forecast 90-130 Euro
Out of this world! perfect mix of minerality, fruit and acidity BUY



J. J. Prüm
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr
Spätlese
360 Fl. @ 20 Euro / forecast 50-70 Euro
DELICIOUS, mind-boggling stuff, flavors of nougat with a remarkable acidity BUY



J. J. Prüm
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr
Auslese
150 Fl. @ 40 Euro / forecast 100-170 Euro
180 1/2 Fl. @ 20 Euro / forecast 60-90 Euro
was unfortunately very closed!


J. J. Prüm
2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr
Auslese Goldkapsel
60 Fl. @ 80 Euro / forecast 200-300Euro
120 1/2 Fl. @ 40 Euro / forecast 120-180 Euro
YUM, YUM ..........BUY


J. J. Prüm
2007 Graacher Himmelreich
Auslese lange Goldkapsel
30 Fl. @ 120 Euro / forecast 380-550Euro
102 1/2 Fl. @ 60 Euro / forecast 220-280 Euro
high concentration, dense and fat



Clemens Busch
2007 Pünderich Marienburg
Auslese lange Goldkapsel
60 Fl. @ 90 Euro / forecast 150-200 Euro
120 1/2 Fl. @ 45 Euro / forecast 75-100 Euro
too fat, very, very concentrated, not my taste!



Dr. Loosen
2007 Ürziger Würzgarten
Spätlese
360 Fl. @ 18 Euro / forecast 25-35 Euro
Good freshness, overall taste like an ice-candy, Amazing spice! BUY


Dr. Loosen
2007 Erdener Prälat Auslese
Auslese lange Goldkapsel
30 Fl. @ 100 Euro / forecast 350-400 Euro
100 1/2 Fl. @ 50 Euro / forecast 170-220 Euro
very elegant, fine!



Keller
2007 Brunnenhäuschen Abtserde
Spätlese Goldkapsel
420 Fl. @ 15 Euro / forecast 35-70 Euro
12 MG @ 32 Euro / forecast 70-120 Euro
unfortunately quite closed


Keller
2007 Brunnenhäuschen Abtserde
Auslese Goldkapsel
120 Fl. @ 35 Euro / forecast 75-120 Euro
also a bit closed, BUT very,very promising! BUY



Dönnhoff
2007 Norheimer Dellchen
Spätlese
480 Fl. @ 15 Euro / forecast 28-36 Euro
24 MG @ 30 Euro / forecast 60-80 Euro
AMAZING...........BUY



Dönnhoff
2007 Oberhäuser Brücke
Auslese Goldkapsel
48 Fl. @ 40 Euro / forecast 80-130 Euro
+120 1/2 Fl.
Also fantastic. BUY



Schäfer-Fröhlich
2007 Bockenauer Felseneck
Auslese Goldkapsel
96 1/2 Fl. @ 20 Euro / forecast 80-100 Euro
closed



Robert Weil
2007 Kiedrich Gräfenberg
Auslese Goldkapsel
24 Fl. @ 100 Euro / forecast 280-300 Euro
+48 1/2 Fl. @ 50 Euro
a lot of toffee flavors, very dense fruit, but also elegant with an impressive finesse BUY



Schäfer-Fröhlich
2007 Bockenauer Felseneck
Beerenauslese Goldkapsel
48 1/2 Fl. @ 40 Euro / forecast 120 160 Euro
not my taste!



J. J. Prüm
1994 Wehlener Sonnenuhr
Beerenauslese
12 Fl. @ 400 Euro / forecast 700-1100 Euro
48 1/2 Fl. @ 200 Euro / forecast 350-600 Euro
A masterpiece! Caramell, petrol, very concentrated




Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken
2003 Saarburger Rausch
Trockenbeerenauslese
18 Fl. @ 600 Euro / forecast 900-1400 Euro
36 1/2 Fl. @ 300 Euro / forecast 550-800 Euro
"Schmackofatz", YUM, YUM,



Egon-Müller Scharzhoff
1997 Scharzhofberger
Trockenbeerenauslese
18 Fl. @ 1000 Euro / forecast 4000-5000 Euro
36 1/2 Fl. @ 500 Euro / forecast 2000-2700 Euro
Elixir of the devil!

Thanks for your notes. Some I will never see locally and/or cannot afford, but I will look for the Saarburger and Graacher Domprost wines.

Thanks for your notes. Some I will never see locally and/or cannot afford, but I will look for the Saarburger and Graacher Domprost wines.

[Homer Simpson voice]Mmmmmmmm . . . Saarburger[/Homer Simpson voice]

Thanks for the notes. I will go to the versteigerung 26-9 in Trier and I'm happy you are positve about the wines I was planning to buy. Will you be there too?

No Felix, I will not attend the Versteigerungen. Check your bank account in advance, these Rieslings are such outstanding!

My bankaccount..... I just ordered some wine from that site you posted on the parkerbb. I hope those Keller wines are as good as you say they are.

Did you buy 07 Keller "von der Fels"? If so, after you have opened the first bottle, you will order a few cases more. Trust me!

After your tasting notes, how couldnt I have bought the von Fels? I also bought the three GG's that they offered:
Dalsheimer Hubacker GG 2006 and 2005, Westhofen Abtserde, Riesling Großes Gewächs 2006. I also ordered som of the Riesling RR trocken and the Westhofen Kirchspiel Riesling Auslese 2007. Did I bought the right wines?

Ontopic. Do you think the spatlese wines of Schloss Lieser, Haag and Schaefer are superior to the normal wines of them? I mean, are they worth the extra Euro's.
You are not very positive about the 2007 wine of Clemens-Busch. Have you already tasted the "normal" wines they made in 2007 and if so what do you think about the wines. I bought 2006 but im in doubt if I should visit them and buy some 2007 looking at my bankaccount The wines they made in 2006 were very impressive but I'm not sure if it is easy to empty a whole bottle (except the von rotem schiefer 2006 which I drink on a regular basis and which has a very high qpr).

To bad they dont offer all the wines at the same Versteigerung. That Wittman 150 sounds very tasty. Those Germans know how to market their wines. It's always the same: this wine comes from a very special piece of land and we only made 666 bottles, buy it quick or they are gone. It is just so hard to resist the temptation. When I visited Schloss Lieser just after they bottles the wines I still could only buy 1 half bottle of the goldkapsel Auslese, I mean thats just crazy.
Thanks again for the notes, they inspire to try more and more things that I dont know yet.

You made a good choice with the Keller wines! BTW, 07 is the best vintage at the winery!!

Good question with the extra money. I had both versions of 07 Schloss Lieser "Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr" Spätlese in the last weeks and I think the auction version is only a touch better. But not worth the extra money.
I have tasted several wines from Clemens Busch at the week-end and the wines were shaky/nervous and a bit closed. No doubt, they are very, very promising.I enjoyed especially "Marienburg" GG

Apropos Mosel, keep your eyes open for Van Volxem, very strong collection in the vintage 2007. Also the basic "Saar Riesling" is very fine. And one of the best dry Riesling of the VDP -"Gutswein" was his 07 "Scharzhofberg-Pergentsknopp"

Best dry Riesling of VDP -"Gutswein" was clearly 07 Emrich-Schönleber "Halenberg" GG

Discovery was the collection of Kühling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier from the region Rheinhessen

P.S. Schloss Lieser was sold very early, because the estate was praised in spring during the ProWein exhibition.

Felix,

a good source for Keller-Rieslings and in general german Rieslings is the danish dealer atomwine

http://www.atomwine.dk/

Oké, thanks for the info. I did not really like the Van Volxem wines I had until now. I had the 2007 u talk about but did not like it tbh. It missed tension for me.
The Halenberg GG from Schonleber is very good but I'm also very impressed by the GG's of both Diel (Burg Layer 2007 GG is fantastic) and Schafer-Frohlich GG's were one of the most intense Dry rieslings I had until now.
Funny this Atomwine, when I check the website I see Mr Christoffel. A very nice man. He gave us a brilliant tasting in that room and opened loads of older wines. I really enjoy his style of wines.

The 07 wines of Van Volxem show much more minerality than in previous vintages, and especially my recommendation is very filigree and not broad&opulent which is normally typical for Van Volxem Rieslings.

I was curious about Schäfer-Fröhlich Rieslings, but he didn´t present his wines, as he is sold out.

Another question: My parents bought some wine from Huber in Baden today. I told them to buy some wines for me. Have u had any experience with these wines or maybe even tasted his 2005 spatburgunders? The guy at the domaine told my parents the wines need loads of time..... I dont have a lot of patience.

Personally I would find it hard to get excited about either Clemens Busch or Van Volxem with so many other exciting goodies on display. But, to each his own..

Sounds like a great time.

Another question: My parents bought some wine from Huber in Baden today. I told them to buy some wines for me. Have u had any experience with these wines or maybe even tasted his 2005 spatburgunders? The guy at the domaine told my parents the wines need loads of time..... I dont have a lot of patience.

The Spätburgunder from Huber in Baden are considered one of the best Spätburgunder in Germany. And the vintage 2005 is the best Spätburgunder vintage so far. I really love these red wines, as they show finesse and are very sublime. Here is a nice overview of the portfolio.

http://www.weinguide.de/suche/suche_ssu ... ?id=0208/2

Personally I would find it hard to get excited about either Clemens Busch or Van Volxem with so many other exciting goodies on display. But, to each his own..

Sounds like a great time.

Van Volxem is worth to rediscover. The wines show more minerality and finesse. My recommendation:

07 Van Volxem " Scharzhofberg Pergentsknopp" GG

Another question: My parents bought some wine from Huber in Baden today. I told them to buy some wines for me. Have u had any experience with these wines or maybe even tasted his 2005 spatburgunders? The guy at the domaine told my parents the wines need loads of time..... I dont have a lot of patience.

The Spätburgunder from Huber in Baden are considered one of the best Spätburgunder in Germany. And the vintage 2005 is the best Spätburgunder vintage so far. I really love these red wines, as they show finesse and are very sublime. Here is a nice overview of the portfolio.

http://www.weinguide.de/suche/suche_ssu ... ?id=0208/2

Thanks, yeah the Weinguide.de site is brilliant. Thru this site I found their name and saw that my parents would drive past them. I'm looking forward to try the wines. I dont have much experience with wines from Baden but 58Euro's is not cheap for a bottle of wine and I hope it will deliver. Can you give me an impression of the style they make wines in. I know the wines from Duijn and Salwey a bit and I understood Huber helped Duijn with the making of his wines. Is the style of Duijn and Huber similar?

About van Volxem, I understood he gives his Rieslings full malo. Is this true and if so, why does he do this. I felt the wines I had from him lacked an acid backbone and although they were creamy and opulent missed character. Hope I get the chance to taste the 07 Van Volxem "Scharzhofberg Pergentsknopp" GG.

Van Volxem is worth to rediscover. The wines show more minerality and finesse. My recommendation:

07 Van Volxem " Scharzhofberg Pergentsknopp" GG

I liked the the 2007 Saar riesling and the 2007 Alte Reben riesling although I didn't taste any of the higher wines. Perhaps they would put him in the same category as some of my other favorites. Will try to keep an open mind.

Another question: My parents bought some wine from Huber in Baden today. I told them to buy some wines for me. Have u had any experience with these wines or maybe even tasted his 2005 spatburgunders? The guy at the domaine told my parents the wines need loads of time..... I dont have a lot of patience.

The Spätburgunder from Huber in Baden are considered one of the best Spätburgunder in Germany. And the vintage 2005 is the best Spätburgunder vintage so far. I really love these red wines, as they show finesse and are very sublime. Here is a nice overview of the portfolio.

http://www.weinguide.de/suche/suche_ssu ... ?id=0208/2

Thanks, yeah the Weinguide.de site is brilliant. Thru this site I found their name and saw that my parents would drive past them. I'm looking forward to try the wines. I dont have much experience with wines from Baden but 58Euro's is not cheap for a bottle of wine and I hope it will deliver. Can you give me an impression of the style they make wines in. I know the wines from Duijn and Salwey a bit and I understood Huber helped Duijn with the making of his wines. Is the style of Duijn and Huber similar?

About van Volxem, I understood he gives his Rieslings full malo. Is this true and if so, why does he do this. I felt the wines I had from him lacked an acid backbone and although they were creamy and opulent missed character. Hope I get the chance to taste the 07 Van Volxem "Scharzhofberg Pergentsknopp" GG.

In my view, the Huber wines are more Salwey-like or if Fürst-like. Less oak and more finesse.

I don´t know about the malo.The 07 vintage of Van Volxem showed a good acid/minerality backbone.