Holy Ruprecht

L

Lyle Fass

Lyle Fass
Koehler-Ruprecht has to one of the most individualistic wineries in all of Germany. I haven't tasted much in relation to the other great Pfalz estates, but what I have tasted has been compelling. They are most famous for the Auslese Trocken "S" which I have tasted, but never sat down with. It seems like the type of wine that unfolds over a long period of time. I do love their Kabinett Trockens and Halbtrockens and that is what I have cellared.

The 2002 Koehler-Ruprecht Kallstadter Steinacker Kabinett was just fantastic wine. On it's third day and it has not lost a step. Just amazing. I am still amazed at the resilience of great Riesling. And this is great Riesling. On the first day it was a delicate, savory wine with some lime fruit but more of a liver/foie gras thing going on. Still a classic delicate Kabinett. Day 2 I forgot about it and now on Day 3 it is rich in texture with a nose of foie/funk/honey. Fascinating nose. Really coats the palate. Texturally this wine has the weight now of an Auslese but still the laciness of a Kabinett. This really surprised me, but then again, I never know what to expect when I open one of these wines. One more is slated for five years down the road.
 
originally posted by David M. Bueker:
Consistently interesting (if not always in a good way) wines that sadly are now lacking an importer (unless things have changed).
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They are imported in a few locations, and for the moment, I'm not sure they're looking for more. They can be some of the greatest wines in all of Germany.
 
originally posted by Lyle Fass:
They are most famous for the Auslese Trocken "S" which I have tasted
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I think you mean the "R" (Reserve) Saumagen Auslese. That is a great wine.

I do enjoy exploring those wines, just wish they were more easily available here.
 
I remember being flabbergasted about the 1990 r when I was at his winery back in 1996. I have one remaining and glad to hear it remains a delight!
 
We've always been fans here. I recently found a KR 1999 muskateller spaetlese to be brilliant (rescued from a local shop for $12).

I think I remember reading somewhere that Bernd Philippi ferments in old wood, fuders IIRC. How anomalous is that? And now he's involved in a project in South Africa. Any eyewitnesses?
 
originally posted by Salil Benegal:
originally posted by Lyle Fass:
They are most famous for the Auslese Trocken "S" which I have tasted
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I think you mean the "R" (Reserve) Saumagen Auslese. That is a great wine.

I do enjoy exploring those wines, just wish they were more easily available here.
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Yup mixed it up with Karthauserhof's S.
 
originally posted by Putnam Weekley:
I think I remember reading somewhere that Bernd Philippi ferments in old wood, fuders IIRC. How anomalous is that? And now he's involved in a project in South Africa. Any eyewitnesses?
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Yes, his is one of the few remaining top wineries using classical old wooden barrels for their whites. And he has projects and consultancies in SA, but also a few other places I forgot. Pretty busy guy. Had a chance to talk to him about 18 months ago and he said he is about to sell the winery to an American. Have not heard an update since though.
 
originally posted by georg lauer:
originally posted by Putnam Weekley:
I think I remember reading somewhere that Bernd Philippi ferments in old wood, fuders IIRC. How anomalous is that? And now he's involved in a project in South Africa. Any eyewitnesses?
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Yes, his is one of the few remaining top wineries using classical old wooden barrels for their whites. And he has projects and consultancies in SA, but also a few other places I forgot. Pretty busy guy. Had a chance to talk to him about 18 months ago and he said he is about to sell the winery to an American. Have not heard an update since though.
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He did sell, but is basically in charge of the wines for another five years or so, at least -- it is a friend of his who bought it. I think he's got a project in Portugal and maybe some others. Anyway, he's always flying somewhere so I rarely am able to arrange a visit when I'm in Germany, although I did last year.
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
originally posted by georg lauer:
originally posted by Putnam Weekley:
I think I remember reading somewhere that Bernd Philippi ferments in old wood, fuders IIRC. How anomalous is that? And now he's involved in a project in South Africa. Any eyewitnesses?
Click to expand...

Yes, his is one of the few remaining top wineries using classical old wooden barrels for their whites. And he has projects and consultancies in SA, but also a few other places I forgot. Pretty busy guy. Had a chance to talk to him about 18 months ago and he said he is about to sell the winery to an American. Have not heard an update since though.
Click to expand...
He did sell, but is basically in charge of the wines for another five years or so, at least -- it is a friend of his who bought it. I think he's got a project in Portugal and maybe some others. Anyway, he's always flying somewhere so I rarely am able to arrange a visit when I'm in Germany, although I did last year.
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Indeed. It is so tough to visit the winery. My family lives less than 90 minutes away but it never works out. Will try again in a few weeks. Would love to get some Spaetlese or Auslese R, but they are pretty erratic on what they will give you. But definitely worth sone hassle. These wines are quite unique.
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
originally posted by georg lauer:
originally posted by Putnam Weekley:
I think I remember reading somewhere that Bernd Philippi ferments in old wood, fuders IIRC. How anomalous is that? And now he's involved in a project in South Africa. Any eyewitnesses?
Click to expand...

Yes, his is one of the few remaining top wineries using classical old wooden barrels for their whites. And he has projects and consultancies in SA, but also a few other places I forgot. Pretty busy guy. Had a chance to talk to him about 18 months ago and he said he is about to sell the winery to an American. Have not heard an update since though.
Click to expand...
He did sell, but is basically in charge of the wines for another five years or so, at least -- it is a friend of his who bought it. I think he's got a project in Portugal and maybe some others. Anyway, he's always flying somewhere so I rarely am able to arrange a visit when I'm in Germany, although I did last year.
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He has a project in Portugal near the facilities of Dirk Niepoort. We met the guy once at Dirk's house. Beautiful wines, specially the auslese "r" (can't remember the vintage, but think it was 98)

Sadly, not available in Spain
 
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