WTN: A few German wines

I've developed a little stash of Thörle wines, which are outside my usual style of sleek freshness, but balance is the spice of life. Or something like that...

My first taste of 2021 Thörle Probstey Spätburgunder 1.5 years ago was gorgeous, but a bottle a few months ago was a bit crisp and less seductive. The latest bottle was all flowing in the right directions. Silky and sexy but fresh and crisp; makes it gulpable in all the best ways. The earthy notes evoke Spätburgunder and remind you that it’s neither Beaujolais nor Burgundy. Some might find that intrusive, but I don’t mind, it’s an impressive package and was the perfect drink after a long day on the road.

Then I revisited 2021 Thörle Hölle Spätburgunder. This has always been the more complete package in comparison to the Probstey Spätburgunder, it is rounder and deeper. But still plenty fresh and elegant, detailed and layered. Very nice, rich but with lift, clarity, elegance and sooo easy to drink. Delightful with maitake and ramp (welcome spring) pizza

Of course who can forget riesling. 2023 Stein Palmberg Spätlese trocken alte reben was absolutely gorgeous, my kind of riesling. Layered textured and savory but fresh focused and juicy. The complete package. I should have been drinking these wines earlier...

[David M. Bueker]

Any particular manner of savory in that Stein? Sounds quite interesting.

I'm hesitant to put a precise flavor descriptor on it, as that stuff is so subjective and evolves over time anyway. But it was a nice counterpoint to the fresh juicy fruit and the crisp herbal/mineral structure. The savory element was almost in the mold of the fruit pit/oil essence elements I often get in Austrian riesling. A nice balance and I'll be happy to drink more of these wines in the future and explore further (as if the list wasn't long enough....)

[David M. Bueker]

That’s very helpful. Given my love of Austrian Riesling I might need to “bend” my buying hiatus to try the Stein.

That’s very helpful. Given my love of Austrian Riesling I might need to “bend” my buying hiatus to try the Stein.

I don't know your tastes well enough to predict the reaction, but it's certainly one of the many excellent wines one could consider from the Mosel! I will slowly expand to their other bottlings, at some point...