WTN: Friday night Falkenstein double feature

[David M. Bueker]

For the sake of vinous science, two (though not the two I had intended) bottles of 2012 Hofgut Falkenstein were opened last night:

Falkenstein:

2012 Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenninger Sonnenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb
Lovely balance, just barely off dry. Lots of bright citrus fruit and a very stony back end. Invites the next sip, the next glass, and yes the next bottle. Drinking very well now and for at least several more years in my estimation.

Bride of Falkenstein:

2012 Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Auslese
Just as bright as the spatlese feinherb, but with a snappy sweetness. Quite delicate for modern auslese, reminding me of the wines of Merkelbach. Long finish and great refreshment value for a sweeter wine.

These were both outstanding.

Thanks for your notes on the two Falkenstein selections.

In fact, Falkenstein's parcel in Niedermenniger Sonnenberg has a stony gray slate soil. The 2013, which is still in Fuder, has fermented more towards dry and is impressive, too.

In the 19th century, Krettnacher Euchariusberg was a highly rated vineyard. It looks a little like Scharzhofberg, which is a much bigger hillside. Both sites have the same type of soil and exposition.

Like Egon Müller, Erich Weber has lots of ungrafted, old vines in his different vineyard plots and ages his Saar Rieslings in Fuder.

I should add, too, that Sonnenberg is next to Euchariusberg.

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks for the info Lars.

though not the two I had intended

What happened here?

I finally got into 2012 German riesling last night with a bottle of Karthäuserhof Kabinett. Very delicious and refreshing and well worth drinking.

[David M. Bueker]

I meant to grab the bottle of kabinett trocken I have in the cellar. I grabbed the auslese instead and never bothered to look at the label before I opened it. Been a while since I did that.

The 2012 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Kabinett trocken is showing well right now. The 2012 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Spätlese feinherb is excellent and is still available at Crush in NYC for only $19.99. The 2012 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Auslese and Falkenteiner Hofberg Auslese are at Chambers Street Wines.

The first 2013 Saar Rieslings should be bottled in April.

By the way, I added a couple of points in my previous comment.