A few German wines

R

Rahsaan

Rahsaan
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...
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
I like the sound of that pizza!
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Me too! Ramps were the first ever-so-slight creep into spring in the markets here. Presumably that will accelerate in the upcoming weeks.
 
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
i had a pfalz last night, but i was just trying to keep up with you
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Did you try the 02 Christoffel Auslese? I never got around to it as the sugar was presumably palate-jarring, but seeing it - along with the Premier Cru sticker - brought back memories..
 
Preaching to the choir re : Stein. we drank a lovely 2015 Stein Alfer Hölle Riesling 1900 this week. but we have but a paltry 6 or so bottles from this weingut given a cellar space eaten up by so many other great German wineries.
If I had started learning about wine 10-15 years ago, Stein would command so much more cellar space.
 
originally posted by Mark Anisman:
Preaching to the choir re : Stein. we drank a lovely 2015 Stein Alfer Hölle Riesling 1900 this week. but we have but a paltry 6 or so bottles from this weingut given a cellar space eaten up by so many other great German wineries.
If I had started learning about wine 10-15 years ago, Stein would command so much more cellar space.
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I love the Stein wines. Alfer Holle seems to be getting harder to track down; I'm looking for the 2023 but not having too much luck.

Recent-ish notes ('22 Alfer Holle was drunk several months before the other Steins):

2023 Stein Riesling Feinherb "Weihwasser": Very expressive and aromatic on the nose, with ripe orchard fruit, a hint of honey, and florals. The palate has a touch of sweetness that helps temper the zesty acidity. Not quite as deep, rich, or complex as the Palmberg, but a really drinkable, acid-forward wine with plenty of cut and verve.

2023 Stein Palmberg Riesling Kabinett trocken Alte Reben: Slightly less expressive on the nose than the “Holy Water” feinherb, but opens up a little bit in the glass with notes of lemon zest and wet slate. On the palate, there’s super fresh acids that come across like sour lemon candies melted into a reservoir of liquified minerals, with a hint of bitter herbs on the finish. Resolutely dry, but not austere or angular at all. If anything, the palate feels very generous and rich. A wow wine.

2022 Stein Alfer Holle 1900: This was 12.5% alcohol and designated a Spatlese. Perhaps there was a smidge of residual sugar here, but this tastes very dry and savory, balanced with good, lively acidity. Sleek, energetic, light-on-its-feet, but what really stood out was the complexity. A hint of green fruit, wet slate, almond, a little bitter herbs, and a touch of appealing funk. An intense, flavorful wine that somehow just hovers over the palate with delicacy and grace. My favorite Riesling of the night.
 
"Alfer Holle seems to be getting harder to track down"
but worth the search... you should chat with Giselle of Chambers Street Wines (hereafter referred to as CSW). She might be helpful.....
 
originally posted by Mark Anisman:
"Alfer Holle seems to be getting harder to track down"
but worth the search... you should chat with Giselle of Chambers Street Wines (hereafter referred to as CSW). She might be helpful.....
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Definitely food for thought. Some other things there I’ve been eyeing
 
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