WTN: The Greatest Silvaner in the Universe? Horst Sauer GG

Not to build it up too much, but I really like this wine.

2009 Horst Sauer Escherndorfer Lump Silvaner Großes Gewächs –Franken, Germany 13,5% alc.

This is certainly one of the greatest Silvaner wines that I have ever tasted. Horst Sauer is consistently among the finest producers in Germany, and tops for Silvaner in every vintage that I’ve had, but this 2009 Lump goes beyond. Very pure, detailed, and crystalline (it must be said that in 2009 a few Silvaner GGs from Franken came off a little large) with almost gritty mineral. Pome fruit, and sweaty earth with good, clean acidity. If you’ve ever wondered what Grüner Veltliner cut with a little Chablis might taste like…

Cheers,
Bill

[Jenise]

this 2009 Lump goes beyond. Bill

Okay, call me immature, but when I read this sentence I giggled. I don't know what "lump" means, it's not a term I've ever seen in reference to German wines, and though I don't thnk I know it all I thought I had the basic terms down. What does 'lump" mean?

this 2009 Lump goes beyond. Bill

Okay, call me immature, but when I read this sentence I giggled. I don't know what "lump" means, it's not a term I've ever seen in reference to German wines, and though I don't thnk I know it all I thought I had the basic terms down. What does 'lump" mean?

It's the vineyard.

this 2009 Lump goes beyond. Bill

Okay, call me immature, but when I read this sentence I giggled. I don't know what "lump" means, it's not a term I've ever seen in reference to German wines, and though I don't thnk I know it all I thought I had the basic terms down. What does 'lump" mean?

The Lump does go beyond. There is wisdom in that line, somewhere.

I don't know for sure the reason for the vineyard being named Lump, but 'Lump' in German is somewhat akin to scoundrel or rascal. Lumpen means rag.

Cheers,
Bill

Hi Bill -

Thank you for the note - sounds like a great wine that I would love. Have not had any GGs from Franken yet.

Sauer's wines are rarely available over my way - the only one that I have found to try was an '07 Silvaner Kabinett. Nonetheless, it was quite nice. Wirsching (also very good) is probably the most commonly seen Franken producer in the northeast US.

Hi Bill -

Thank you for the note - sounds like a great wine that I would love. Have not had any GGs from Franken yet.

Sauer's wines are rarely available over my way - the only one that I have found to try was an '07 Silvaner Kabinett. Nonetheless, it was quite nice. Wirsching (also very good) is probably the most commonly seen Franken producer in the northeast US.

Hi Andrew,

I'd buy anything that Horst Sauer makes without hesitation. The Riesling (when/if you can find it) is spectacular as well. The wines sell out quickly though, as they are considered by many to be the top producer in Franken. It's good to see that they have some US distribution (IIRC, Loosen was bringing them in for a spell, is that still the case?)

Wirsching is of course, excellent as well. Keep drinking Franken! I'd like to see your notes.

Cheers,
Bill

One does not commonly see "sylvaner" parked next to any kind of superlative, which is why great ones are astonishing.

Charles Schleret makes excellent Sylvaner, also. He has 17 acres in the Grand Cru region of Turckheim, and I think I can safely say his 2006 fit into the "astonishing" category.

Hi Andrew,

I'd buy anything that Horst Sauer makes without hesitation. The Riesling (when/if you can find it) is spectacular as well. The wines sell out quickly though, as they are considered by many to be the top producer in Franken. It's good to see that they have some US distribution (IIRC, Loosen was bringing them in for a spell, is that still the case?)

Wirsching is of course, excellent as well. Keep drinking Franken! I'd like to see your notes.

Cheers,
Bill[/quote]

Bill - It's been a year or so since I have had anything from Franken. When I do open up a bottle, though, I'll definitely post a note on it.

One does not commonly see "sylvaner" parked next to any kind of superlative, which is why great ones are astonishing.

Charles Schleret makes excellent Sylvaner, also. He has 17 acres in the Grand Cru region of Turckheim, and I think I can safely say his 2006 fit into the "astonishing" category.

Hi Dave,

Yes, the sad truth is that most everyone plants Silvaner in less-than-excellent sites because they can't get a big enough return to justify the use of a top vineyard. Thank god for Franken, which devotes much more top-vineyard land to Silvaner than even Riesling. Alsace has a few hold-outs too (though unless something has changed, only Zotzenberg has the right to claime Sylvaner as a Grand Cru -though others get around that by declassifying or abbreviating vineyard names.) At least in Germany though, there is a resurgence in popularity of Silvaner and more suitable soils are finding themselves planted to it.

Cheers,
Bill