Sign of the times, no Falkenstein for the masses

R

Rahsaan

Rahsaan
One of my favorite Berlin wine shops just sent out their pre-arrival 'subscription' offer for Falkenstein 2022s. Order now (with decent quantity possible) and get delivery in June. Their language implies that the wines will never hit the shelves.

I guess it's good that people are excited about Saar riesling, but I must admit I don't enjoy the 'feverish chase' aspect of things.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Sign of the times, no Falkenstein for the massesOne of my favorite Berlin wine shops just sent out their pre-arrival 'subscription' offer for Falkenstein 2022s. Order now (with decent quantity possible) and get delivery in June. Their language implies that the wines will never hit the shelves.

I guess it's good that people are excited about Saar riesling, but I must admit I don't enjoy the 'feverish chase' aspect of things.
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A bummer worldwide. When Norway's Vinmonopolet had its annual German release day, I waited in the digital queue until my turn. I got zero bottles of about 7 cuvées offered and luckily got 2 bottles of 2021 Zilliken kabinett and 2 bottles of Zillken feinherb. Usually I have been able to get about 4 six packs of Falkenstein and as much Zilliken as I want on that release day. They have been discovered!
 
originally posted by mark e:
luckily got 2 bottles of 2021 Zilliken kabinett and 2 bottles of Zillken feinherb. Usually I have been able to get about 4 six packs of Falkenstein and as much Zilliken as I want on that release day. They have been discovered!
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Wow, didn't know Zilliken was in the same cult conversation as Falkenstein.

I think another reason these fever chases are so intriguing to me is that I don't consider Falkenstein to be dramatically better than dozens of other wineries. I like the wines a lot and they suit me, but there are so many other excellent choices. (Which was not the case with Overnoy)

But, I guess the logic of viral spirals is a world of its own.
 
Falkenstein has been heavily allocated in the states for several years. Interestingly, there is a bunch on winebid this week. The high scores from Mosel Fine Wines have definitely fanned the flames. I could not be happier for the Webers and Lars. Great hardworking people.

If you like the Falkenstein style I would recommend Herman Ludes. I love their 21 Kabinetts.
 
originally posted by Robert Dentice:
...The high scores from Mosel Fine Wines have definitely fanned the flames. I could not be happier for the Webers and Lars. Great hardworking people.
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Yes, I don't begrudge them any of their success. All deserved. And probably still not getting rich off the reasonable prices.

But there are plenty of other hardworking winemakers who don't break through the same way. So it's interesting to track these phenomena.

Also interesting to cite MFW. That could play a role, although they seem to give out a lot of high scores to lots of producers.

originally posted by Robert Dentice:
If you like the Falkenstein style I would recommend Herman Ludes. I love their 21 Kabinetts.
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Yes, am a fan. The Berlin merchant (Nico at the above-mentioned Goldrichs) who introduced me to Falkenstein in 2016, started pushing Ludes to me last year, as he had less and less Falkenstein available.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:

Also interesting to cite MFW. That could play a role, although they seem to give out a lot of high scores to lots of producers.
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The year MFW gave Meyer Nepal 98 points was the year I saw a very big change in demand / availability.

And yes you are absolutely correct about so many other producers, particularly in Germany. Just look at Ludes the wines, they were never, ever promote. Then Lyle discovered them and now Vom Boden. I guarantee they will be as hard to get as Falkenstein in the next few years. They also have a young winemaker who has taken over the domain who understands this.

And Lars has worked tirelessly to promote Falkenstein.

Some winemakers just don't have the interest and/or time to promote their wines.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:

Also interesting to cite MFW. That could play a role, although they seem to give out a lot of high scores to lots of producers.
Click to expand...

The year MFW gave Meyer Nepal 98 points was the year I saw a very big change in demand / availability.

And yes you are absolutely correct about so many other producers, particularly in Germany. Just look at Ludes the wines, they were never, ever promote. Then Lyle discovered them and now Vom Boden. I guarantee they will be as hard to get as Falkenstein in the next few years. They also have a young winemaker who has taken over the domain who understands this.

And Lars has worked tirelessly to promote Falkenstein.

Some winemakers just don't have the interest and/or time to promote their wines.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by mark e:
luckily got 2 bottles of 2021 Zilliken kabinett and 2 bottles of Zillken feinherb. Usually I have been able to get about 4 six packs of Falkenstein and as much Zilliken as I want on that release day. They have been discovered!
Click to expand...

Wow, didn't know Zilliken was in the same cult conversation as Falkenstein.

I think another reason these fever chases are so intriguing to me is that I don't consider Falkenstein to be dramatically better than dozens of other wineries. I like the wines a lot and they suit me, but there are so many other excellent choices. (Which was not the case with Overnoy)

But, I guess the logic of viral spirals is a world of its own.
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Honestly, Zilliken isn't but the wines are excellent. A couple of years ago no one in Norway (a huge importer of German wine, as you may know) knew Falkenstein. When I went to the big, fancy downtown Vinmonopolet store a few years ago on the day of their annual German offering, everyone was grabbing cases of Donnhoff, and I could have loaded up my cart with all the Falkenstein, had I had the means. For me, they are dramatically better than many in terms of purity.
 
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Wow, didn't know Zilliken was in the same cult conversation as Falkenstein.
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what's Falkenstein's version of Butterfly?
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Doesn’t exist. Everything is site specific and designated as such, and single barrel (or less).
 
A local store in Somerville posted yesterday a photo of 13 different Falkensteins that had arrived. It said "no further discount as these wines are scarce" but otherwise seemed like one could just walk in and buy a bunch. Update: And still online available when I checked just now.

Also, if somebody wants to get some Kabinetts and a Spaetlese with a couple of years of age on them, I recently realized that we just do not drink these wines. I have between 2 and 6 of each below and would happily leave them to a true aficionado.

Krettnacher Euchariusberg SL 2020
Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabi 2020
Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabi Alte Reben 2017
Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabi Alte Reben 2016
 
Also, if somebody wants to get some Kabinetts and a Spaetlese with a couple of years of age on them, I recently realized that we just do not drink these wines.
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'These wines' being Falkenstein in general or off-dry pradikat wines?

My purchasing of the off-dry wines has slowed dramatically, very few bottles, and even fewer that I'm saving. Also not sure when I'll drink them!
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Also, if somebody wants to get some Kabinetts and a Spaetlese with a couple of years of age on them, I recently realized that we just do not drink these wines.
Click to expand...

'These wines' being Falkenstein in general or off-dry pradikat wines?

My purchasing of the off-dry wines has slowed dramatically, very few bottles, and even fewer that I'm saving. Also not sure when I'll drink them!
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Off dry is something we pretty much never open. But even the dry Falkensteins remain closed. Riesling in general is right now rather rarely on our dining table and if we drink it it is mostly Rebholz, Bürklin-Wolf, and Beurer.
 
Interesting how we all develop our own patterns and evolving preferences.

I rarely crave off-dry riesling these days. But, when I open it, I do still appreciate its pleasures (and especially its low alcohol).
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
Interesting how we all develop our own patterns and evolving preferences.

I rarely crave off-dry riesling these days. But, when I open it, I do still appreciate its pleasures (and especially its low alcohol).
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That is exactly how it goes here. But last time I had such an experience was already a year ago (and I did finish the bottle all by myself). But somehow even when I think about these wines and go to the cellar to grab one I return with something else. Maybe time to open one again this week.
 
I still have 7 1/2 cases of Prädikat Riesling. I don't drink them often, but enjoy them when I do. I just opened 2001 JJ Prüm Riesling Kabinett (importer told me it's Zeltinger Sonnenuhr). Acidity was there in spades so it seemed more Feinherb than modern day Kabinett.

I sold a couple of cases to a friend as I feel I have more than I need. The only producer that's off-limits for selling are my 2001-05s from Vollenweider. Even my friends who aren't into Prädikat bottlings have been blown away by those.

These days, if I want dry Riesling, I go to Austria. One friend said he has too many of a few wines from 2012-14 and is going to offer those to me before sending them to WineBid.
 
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