Putnam Weekley
putnam
Ludes 2021s = breakout material
Sign of the times, no Falkenstein for the masses
- Thread starter Rahsaan
- Start date
I was about to post a new thread on this topic and then I had a slight feeling that I had trod this road before. And voila...
So now is when an Nyc retailer sent out a tight 'allocation' call for 2022 Falkenstein. I didn't really want to buy any, but figured why not request, so am not too bothered to only get 2 bottles. But it strikes me as ridiculous that these are the wines getting parceled out like diamond drops!
Meanwhile, I read on Berserkers about a new 'collector' amassing cases upon cases of 2022 Falkenstein, not because he necessarily likes the wines or even knows what they taste like, but because he somehow heard they were a rare thing to chase. And I have to imagine that behavior is part of the 'problem'?!
But again, no shade for the winemaker. The wines are delicious and they deserve to sell out. The ridiculous part for me is the process wherein certain producers catch fire and others don't, at the same quality level.
So now is when an Nyc retailer sent out a tight 'allocation' call for 2022 Falkenstein. I didn't really want to buy any, but figured why not request, so am not too bothered to only get 2 bottles. But it strikes me as ridiculous that these are the wines getting parceled out like diamond drops!
Meanwhile, I read on Berserkers about a new 'collector' amassing cases upon cases of 2022 Falkenstein, not because he necessarily likes the wines or even knows what they taste like, but because he somehow heard they were a rare thing to chase. And I have to imagine that behavior is part of the 'problem'?!
But again, no shade for the winemaker. The wines are delicious and they deserve to sell out. The ridiculous part for me is the process wherein certain producers catch fire and others don't, at the same quality level.
Jeff Grossman
Jeff Grossman
I received two different Falkenstein allocations emails. Just a couple more and I can have the whole set!
Not surprised to hear that some label-fondler is after them. Everything is a collectible to somebody ("There, behind a glass, stands a real blade of grass...").
Not surprised to hear that some label-fondler is after them. Everything is a collectible to somebody ("There, behind a glass, stands a real blade of grass...").
Bill Lundstrom
Bill Lundstrom
I'm not having problems getting Falkenstein but I have noticed a couple of my dependable retailers have either allocated it or just don't have any to offer.
But a couple other sources I buy from have/had plenty recently. Of course, you have to be ok paying shipping costs or traveling to pick it up.
But a couple other sources I buy from have/had plenty recently. Of course, you have to be ok paying shipping costs or traveling to pick it up.
LouElla in Durham has some gathering dust on the shelves last I checked. I mostly passed on 2022 (just grabbed 6b). I've given 2.5 cases away to friends and still have almost 10 cases that I've acquired from 2016-2021 (2014s and 2015s are gone). I needed to slow down not because of the quality of the wines but because I just don't have enough use for off-dry wines.
Sounds like life (or at least leisurely wine shopping) is good in Carolina!
And of course preferences and priorities shift. But Falkenstein does have a range of dry wines, if that's what you want. (I'll admit they are not my core preference for dry wines, more like an expression that I occasionally like to experience)
And of course preferences and priorities shift. But Falkenstein does have a range of dry wines, if that's what you want. (I'll admit they are not my core preference for dry wines, more like an expression that I occasionally like to experience)
Like everywhere else, prices are up and allocations puny, but I've been actively attenuating my buying for the past 2 years. I'm at 50% of 2021 levels and getting close to equilibrium of bottles in/out.
I only buy the Falkenstein that come into the market and the only dry wine that comes in is Kabinett trocken Mutter Anna (Fass 1), which is great, but a very specific wine.
Jayson Cohen
Jayson Cohen
Way down on my ‘22 Falkenstein purchases, also noting they are a planned exception to my buying hiatus (as opposed to the unplanned exceptions). I also decided to focus on only three bottlings this vintage. I’m happy with the contraction.
Did I see on Berserkers that you were a fan of Gisela in 2022? I guess that's not too crazy, as it's an impressive wine every year. Although for some reason it doesn't speak to me as much as other bottlings. Maybe because it's tougher on release? Gisela always feels so firm hard and stacked. I see the quality but don't get excited. Or am I missing something?
Jayson Cohen
Jayson Cohen
It is usually very tight on first opening and in principle can use days of air. But 2022 was the first vintage I’ve had young that I thought was actually open right away and less marked by Sponti.
I love Gisela.
I love Gisela.
Pavel Tchichikov
Pavel Tchichikov
Falkenstein also makes off-dry wines??
Years ago - I guess after the 2001s hit the market - the salesman at Caroline Wine Co i used to buy from said he had a client who pitched a fit when told the store had no 2001 Donnhoff Hermansholle spatlese to sell him and insisted that he bought so much from the store that they had to find some for him. So they did. And then shipped them. And the guy called, angry - “you didn’t tell me these are white wines!”
Ben Hunting
Ben Hunting
Great story, Maureen!
Here in the U.K. Falkenstein is also mostly allocated, but I wouldn’t be surprised if CSW got close to the entire UK allocation of wine.
Here in the U.K. Falkenstein is also mostly allocated, but I wouldn’t be surprised if CSW got close to the entire UK allocation of wine.
In the spirit of popping corks, tonight I had the 2017 Falkenstein NH Spätlese Feinherb #23. And it followed a typical pattern of Falkenstein wines for me.
At first it seemed a bit sour and boring and I thought I might have missed the more energetic young window of pleasure.
But, with air (and more sips of wine), the vivid mineral intensity became more pleasing and nicely offset by the soft pillowy Spätlese middle, but always with such clarity and detail.
By the end of the bottle, I was singing its praises!
At first it seemed a bit sour and boring and I thought I might have missed the more energetic young window of pleasure.
But, with air (and more sips of wine), the vivid mineral intensity became more pleasing and nicely offset by the soft pillowy Spätlese middle, but always with such clarity and detail.
By the end of the bottle, I was singing its praises!