WTN: Donnhoff Schloßböckelheimer Kupfergrube Spatlese 1998

I post this for two reasons - to share the note on the wine and also to seek advice. This was quite unlike any Riesling I've tried, and I wonder if there was a fault involved.
The cork split on opening, with part of it stuck to the inside of the neck. The nose is almost aggressively spicy - white pepper, nettles, rocket lettuce even (!) some lemon grass and nutmeg, over some white flowers. The palate has the nutmeg lift in it too, over some Roses Lime Marmalade, a touch of jet fuel, on a wonderfully persistent balanced palate. This is a beautifully structured wine, although the nose and flavour profile are…well…odd. No rating - not sure what to make of this.

I suspect the nettle and nutmeg might be a sulphur manifestation.

Is the flavour profile coming from the Kupfergrube site, or is it something else?

cheers

Andrew.

PS I got a look at the 07 AJ Adam Spatlese last weekend - how good is that!

Adam has made some very nice wines in 2007. I especially liked his kabinett but also his spatlese is very good. It is however in a concentrated style, Donnhoff is more elegant.

[David M. Bueker]

That sure sounds like the Kupfergrube to me. I tend to get spice in the wines (and not due to sulfur). I love the vineyard for its distinctive flavor profile.

That sure sounds like the Kupfergrube to me. I tend to get spice in the wines (and not due to sulfur). I love the vineyard for its distinctive flavor profile.

Thanks David, appreciate that feedback,

Andrew