Anyone have any thoughts about these rieslings or producers?

S

SteveTimko

Steve Timko
Picked these up from K&L in the last couple of months.
1983 Heyl Zu Hersheim Niersteiner Olberg Spatlese
1983 Schloss Groenesteyn Kiedricher Grafenberg Spatlese
1983 Staatlichen Ockfener Bockstein Spatlese

On their Web site, K&L said this:
"Heyl zu Herrnsheim is a trailblazer in ecological viticulture in Germany. Under the direction of Peter von Weymarn, the estate shifted from conventional to ecological viticulture back in the 70s, and as such, the pioneer among German wine estates."

Staatlichen means National, right? Is this government wine?
 
Heyl zu Herrnsheim used to be quite good (though a bit uneven?) in the eighties, from what I remember. Could be a fun bottle, vintage is also OK.

Schloss Groenesteyn I had never heard of before. Turns out it was a member of the VDP, but ceased production in the nineties.

Finally the Ockfener Bockstein is from the Staatliche Weinbaudomaene Trier, indeed a winery owned by the government of Rheinland-Pfalz. Definitely not a top or even remotely remarkable producer right now, but maybe the eighties were better. Generally one can always have luck with some old Riesling Spaetlese even from obscure producers.

Given their age it is time to drink them soon and let us know how they were....

Best

Gg
 
Had the first two in situ (well, approximately). Thought the fHzH was fine, but not fresh. Did not like the SchlossG, although that was at a mega-tasting where palates were fatigued. I think whoever took over the cellars have been clearing it over the last couple of years as lots turn up from time to time.

The recent FHzH wines have been clumsy and blowsy to my taste - partly a function of terroir/climate, partly a stylistic choice. But they seem to age okay; the '01s have been quite nice over the last couple of months. Plus they're fairly cheap.
 
Thanks all for the input.
I like what Strub does with the Paterberg vineyard. Olberg is a different vineyard and it's a different winemaker, but that suggests to me potential.
 
originally posted by Rahsaan:
originally posted by SteveTimko:
Olberg is a different vineyard and it's a different winemaker, but that suggests to me potential.
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????!!!!
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I read it as simply indicating that if Strub hired a winemaker to his taste and was comitted to quality in Paterberg that there was a good chance the same would be true in Olberg.
 
originally posted by Jay Miller:
I read it as simply indicating that if Strub hired a winemaker to his taste and was comitted to quality in Paterberg that there was a good chance the same would be true in Olberg.
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But what does Strub have to do with Heyl zu Herrnsheim?

I don't think Strub is involved with their winemaker?
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
Same village or area. Meaning it's not the Mosel or Saar, the German places I like the best.
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Fair enough. But it can be pretty dangerous to make (large) purchasing decisions based on a sample size of 1 bottle and that kind of logic.

Then again, one has to start somewhere so if the price isn't too painful then you'll always learn something as you go.
 
I have had luck with some lberg from FHzH from the eighties, but have not tasted the '83. Apart from that I agree with Yixin on FHzH today. The Pettenthal can be nice.

Schloss Groenesteyn were one of these old large Schloss-producers of the Rheingau. If the wines are old enough they can be nice. I am afraid '83 is too late for them. The quality got really poor with time. They are out of the business today.

Staatliche Weinbaudomne Trier can be of fair quality. Especially from Serrig I have had some nice and cheap bottles. Never tasted from Ockfener Bockstein though.
 
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