2019 Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben (Gisela)

[Jayson Cohen]

The Euchariusberg Alte Reben Gisela (AP 8) is remarkably consistent from year to year, having a clear profile in the 2016-2019 stretch that I know. After writing this up, I went back to my January 2019 note on the 2017, and it’s uncanny how similar it is to my impressions of this 2019.

Sponti, subtle lime notes on opening need a couple days of air but the compelling midpalate tension is immediately unmistakable. After two days of air, and some shaking in the interim, it has less searing intensity than the 2016 and 2017, but I think it’s only because the acid-extract-ripeness balance is already better integrated. The aromatics and retronasal impression flit between Granny Smith apple skin and fresh cut apple, pine cone (that musky spiciness!), lime marmalade and zest (if you’ve had Robert Lambert’s citrus marmalades, think that dialed down a notch), and a hint of licorice and petrichor. Needless to say almost, it’s tangy. It’s also fabulous, and I have a slight preference for the shape of this wine today compared to last week’s #11 Herrenberg Feinherb. But it’s splitting hairs.

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:
2019 Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben (Gisela)The Euchariusberg Alte Reben Gisela (AP 8) is remarkably consistent from year to year, having a clear profile in the 2016-2019 stretch that I know. After writing this up, I went back to my January 2019 note on the 2017, and it’s uncanny how similar it is to my impressions of this 2019.

Sponti, subtle lime notes on opening need a couple days of air but the compelling midpalate tension is immediately unmistakeable. After two days of air, and some shaking in the interim, it has less searing intensity than the 2016 and 2017, but I think it’s only because the acid-extract-ripeness balance is already better integrated. The aromatics and retronasal impression flit between Granny Smith apple skin and fresh cut apple, pine cone (that musky spiciness!), lime marmalade and zest (if you’ve had Robert Lambert’s citrus marmalades, think that dialed down a notch), and a hint of licorice and petrichor. Needless to say almost, it’s tangy. It’s also fabulous, and I have a slight preference for the shape of this wine today compared to last week’s #11 Herrenberg Feinherb. But it’s splitting hairs.

I haven't had any 2019s yet but have one of each chilled down and ready to go. Looking forward to seeing if they live up to the hype or they're just the normal excellent wines sounds like it is another excellent one but not stunningly better than previous vintages. Do I read that right? The feeding frenzy has been a little bit silly frankly.

 

[Jayson Cohen]

originally posted by VLM:

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:
2019 Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben (Gisela)The Euchariusberg Alte Reben Gisela (AP 8) is remarkably consistent from year to year, having a clear profile in the 2016-2019 stretch that I know. After writing this up, I went back to my January 2019 note on the 2017, and it’s uncanny how similar it is to my impressions of this 2019.

Sponti, subtle lime notes on opening need a couple days of air but the compelling midpalate tension is immediately unmistakeable. After two days of air, and some shaking in the interim, it has less searing intensity than the 2016 and 2017, but I think it’s only because the acid-extract-ripeness balance is already better integrated. The aromatics and retronasal impression flit between Granny Smith apple skin and fresh cut apple, pine cone (that musky spiciness!), lime marmalade and zest (if you’ve had Robert Lambert’s citrus marmalades, think that dialed down a notch), and a hint of licorice and petrichor. Needless to say almost, it’s tangy. It’s also fabulous, and I have a slight preference for the shape of this wine today compared to last week’s #11 Herrenberg Feinherb. But it’s splitting hairs.

I haven't had any 2019s yet but have one of each chilled down and ready to go. Looking forward to seeing if they live up to the hype or they're just the normal excellent wines sounds like it is another excellent one but not stunningly better than previous vintages. Do I read that right? The feeding frenzy has been a little bit silly frankly.

Honestly, it seems like typical vintage hype so far, but the two I’ve had are very good. I didn’t get the fireworks Seth did on the #11 although I like it a lot. And without a side by side I can’t say if this one was “better” in any sense than the last 3 vintages for Gisela. I can say it’s really good. And I can say that draining a bottle in one night (easy to do at 7.5% ABV) will miss the early fireworks. It was clearly on a higher plain after 2 full days open.

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:

originally posted by VLM:

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:
2019 Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben (Gisela)The Euchariusberg Alte Reben Gisela (AP 8) is remarkably consistent from year to year, having a clear profile in the 2016-2019 stretch that I know. After writing this up, I went back to my January 2019 note on the 2017, and it’s uncanny how similar it is to my impressions of this 2019.

Sponti, subtle lime notes on opening need a couple days of air but the compelling midpalate tension is immediately unmistakeable. After two days of air, and some shaking in the interim, it has less searing intensity than the 2016 and 2017, but I think it’s only because the acid-extract-ripeness balance is already better integrated. The aromatics and retronasal impression flit between Granny Smith apple skin and fresh cut apple, pine cone (that musky spiciness!), lime marmalade and zest (if you’ve had Robert Lambert’s citrus marmalades, think that dialed down a notch), and a hint of licorice and petrichor. Needless to say almost, it’s tangy. It’s also fabulous, and I have a slight preference for the shape of this wine today compared to last week’s #11 Herrenberg Feinherb. But it’s splitting hairs.

I haven't had any 2019s yet but have one of each chilled down and ready to go. Looking forward to seeing if they live up to the hype or they're just the normal excellent wines sounds like it is another excellent one but not stunningly better than previous vintages. Do I read that right? The feeding frenzy has been a little bit silly frankly.

It was clearly on a higher plain after 2 full days open.

It must be said that a higher plane would be higher than a higher plain (except during takeoff and landing).

 

[Jay Miller]

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:

originally posted by VLM:


I haven't had any 2019s yet but have one of each chilled down and ready to go. Looking forward to seeing if they live up to the hype or they're just the normal excellent wines sounds like it is another excellent one but not stunningly better than previous vintages. Do I read that right? The feeding frenzy has been a little bit silly frankly.

It was clearly on a higher plain after 2 full days open.

It must be said that a higher plane would be higher than a higher plain (except during takeoff and landing).

some fancy reasoning there.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

originally posted by Jay Miller:

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:

originally posted by VLM:


I haven't had any 2019s yet but have one of each chilled down and ready to go. Looking forward to seeing if they live up to the hype or they're just the normal excellent wines sounds like it is another excellent one but not stunningly better than previous vintages. Do I read that right? The feeding frenzy has been a little bit silly frankly.

It was clearly on a higher plain after 2 full days open.

It must be said that a higher plane would be higher than a higher plain (except during takeoff and landing).

some fancy reasoning there.

I think he's on the level.

 

[Jayson Cohen]

I had my first 2020 Falkenstein a few weeks ago and now again last night. But it’s Pinot. And it’s pink. And it’s a soilpimp selection brought to us (or the state of NY at least) by Robert. AP 6.

As I mentioned on Instagram, where I mention a lot of things these days (progress, and Keeping Up with the Joneses, and Doing Memes, and all), it’s most reminiscent of Pascal Cotat. And I think you know I wouldn’t use that reference lightly.

If there are any bottles left, it’s probably in Brooklyn at Brooklyn Wine Exchange or Leon & Sons. I bought a couple more from the former.

 

[Robert Dentice]

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:
I had my first 2020 Falkenstein a few weeks ago and now again last night. But it’s Pinot. And it’s pink. And it’s a soilpimp selection brought to us (or the state of NY at least) by Robert. AP 6.

As I mentioned on Instagram, where I mention a lot of things these days (progress, and Keeping Up with the Joneses, and Doing Memes, and all), it’s most reminiscent of Pascal Cotat. And I think you know I wouldn’t use that reference lightly.

If there are any bottles left, it’s probably in Brooklyn at Brooklyn Wine Exchange or Leon & Sons. I bought a couple more from the former.

So cool to see this here! Thank you very much, Jason.

My idea with Soilpimp Selections is to ask German winemakers I respect, know and love to collaborate on a wine that is not currently in their lineup. I approached Lars and Johannes with the idea to make a Saar, Falkensteinesque Rose, they agreed and boy did they deliver!

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

originally posted by Robert Dentice:

originally posted by Jayson Cohen:
I had my first 2020 Falkenstein a few weeks ago and now again last night. But it’s Pinot. And it’s pink. And it’s a soilpimp selection brought to us (or the state of NY at least) by Robert. AP 6.

As I mentioned on Instagram, where I mention a lot of things these days (progress, and Keeping Up with the Joneses, and Doing Memes, and all), it’s most reminiscent of Pascal Cotat. And I think you know I wouldn’t use that reference lightly.

If there are any bottles left, it’s probably in Brooklyn at Brooklyn Wine Exchange or Leon & Sons. I bought a couple more from the former.

So cool to see this here! Thank you very much, Jason.

My idea with Soilpimp Selections is to ask German winemakers I respect, know and love to collaborate on a wine that is not currently in their lineup. I approached Lars and Johannes with the idea to make a Saar, Falkensteinesque Rose, they agreed and boy did they deliver!

Very cool initiative.