WTN: Dee Vine 2003 Germans, Part I

[wnissen]

The first container of 2003s arrived a little while ago, and after this time to recover, were offered for tasting. I didn't see the usual WLDG suspects, but did meet up with "chaud-froid" a.k.a. Paul. But to start, a couple of 2002 auction wines.<br />

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<b>2002 Egon Müller Schärzhofberger Riesling Kabinett Auction</b><i> - Saar, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$37, AP 10-03.<br>Rich, savory, tart. This is Kabinett? Open, very enjoyable. Very Good+.<br />

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<b>2002 von Othegraven Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Spätlese Auction</b><i> - Saar, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$35, AP 10-03.<br>Closed nose but good palate, a bit of petrol. Juicy finish. Very Good.<br />

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OK, here are my first tastes of the 2003s. Didn't find them exactly lacking in acid, but fewer were what I would consider balanced. There was a distinct lack of floral scents, more grass and artificial-smelling fruits. Still, some very good wines.

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<b>2003 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling QbA Trocken</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$12, 12.5%, AP 2-04.<br>Synthetic cork! Austere, stony nose of quartz, and then hot and a little coarse in the mouth. Tasted better than it sounds, Good+.<br />

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<b>2003 Gerhard Al Alba Vinceró Riesling Kabinett Trocken</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$13.50, 13.0%, AP 005-04.<br>Rainwater and slate nose, taste the same, with maybe a vanilla/oak note underneath. Balanced, doesn't even really taste German, it's more "normal." Very Good.<br />

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<b>2003 Reinhard & Beate Knebel Winninger Brückstück Riesling QbA halbtrocken</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$15, 11.5%, AP 2-04.<br>This one is really hard to describe. No rating.<br />

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<b>2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Kabinett feinherb</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$13, 13%, AP 006-04.<br>Lush, floral nose, rich and smooth but hot at the same time. Pretty, and full-bodied. Good+.<br />

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<b>2003 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Kabinett</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$13.50, 8.5%, AP 7-04.<br>Sulphur blows off, but still closed, maybe a little rainwater peeking through. Far softer on the palate than the above, flabby but remains attractive. Good+.<br />

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<b>2003 Reinhard & Beate Knebel Winninger Rottgen Riesling Spätlese</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$19.50, 9.0%, AP 11-04.<br>Fine "red" nose, but just explodes in the mouth. Sweet, just enough acid, flowery. Very Good.<br />

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<b>2003 Josef Rosch Dhroner Hofberger Riesling Spätlese</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$18.50, 8.5%, AP 8-04.<br>Caramel, fruit, spice, another sweetie, oh, the caramel! Delicious. Very Good+. Picked up a couple of these, just so much fun to drink.<br />

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<b>2003 Josef Rosch Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$20, 8.5%, AP 9-04.<br>Quiet. Lacks the intensity and density of the Dhroner Hofberger. Closed? Good+.<br />

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<b>2003 Reinhard & Beate Knebel Winninger Rottgen Riesling Spätlese alte reben</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$28, 8.5%, AP 10-04.<br>Grassy, dry nose paired with <b>sweet</b> full-bodied similar palate. Good+.<br />

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<b>2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Spätlese</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$14, 12%, AP 8-04.<br>I would guess Sauvignon Blanc from the nose, and this one tastes seriously dry, a shock after the Winninger Röttgen Spätlese. However, it turns out well and I would love to have this with dinner. Very Good. If I had been smart, I would have gotten this instead of the Goldkap.<br />

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<b>2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Spätlese alte reben</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$16, 12%, AP 10-04.<br>More grass. Is there something in the air? Rocks. Less interesting than the regular. Good+.<br />

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<b>2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Hassel I Riesling Spätlese</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$16, $14 on pre-arrival, 11%, AP 9-04. This doesn't seem the same weight as the other spätlesen, but it's good. A bit blowsy, but just a bit. Balanced, fruity, a hint of plastic. Good+, actually might be Very Good.<br />

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<b>2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Hassel II Riesling Kabinett</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$13.50, no pre-arrival discount (what's up with that?), 8.5%. AP 007-04. This is noted on the tasting sheet as "auslese grade taste," and is quite sugary. Not that flavorful in terms of intensity, but pure fruits and, very, very nice. Very Good.<br />

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<b>2003 Josef Rosch Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese ***</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$22.50/500mL, 9%, AP 16-04.<br>Oh my. This has the flavor and stuffing to exceed its shy nose. Bubble gum, unidentifiable smells. Very Good+.<br />

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<b>2003 Gerhard Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Spätlese Goldkapsel</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$15.50, again no pre-arrival discount, 11%. AP 011-04. Hmm. Purple Kool-aid, doesn't seem that rich. Decent food wine. Good+. It's an inexpensive Spätlese Goldkap, but I was hoping for more. This is what happens when you don't attend the barrel sample tasting!<br />

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<b>2003 Reinhard & Beate Knebel Winninger Rottgen Riesling Auslese</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$35/500 mL, 8%, AP 13-04.<br>Melon, hand lotion. Honey. Oooooh. No more words! Excellent. My wife is gonna kill me, but I got a bottle.<br />

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<b>2003 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Auslese</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$24.50/500mL, 9%, AP 11-04.<br>Honey, less lush than the Winninger Röttgen Auslese, more savory. Still pretty darn good. (forgot to give this a rating).<br />

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<b>2003 Josef Rosch Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Auslese ***</b><i> - Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$42/500mL, 9%, AP 11-04.<br>Rich, a little lacking in flavor for my taste. This is ***? I'd rather have the Spätlese. Good+.<br />

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Next a couple of wine club wines.<br />

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<b>2002 Schloss Vollrads Riesling Spätlese</b><i> - Rheingau, Germany (9/12/2004)</i><br>$19.75.<br>Apples! Grapes, simple, balanced, tasty.<br />

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<b>2001 Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach Steinberger Riesling Kabinett Goldkapsel</b><i> - Eltville, Rheingau, Germany (9/11/2004)</i><br>$21.50, 9%, AP 026-02.<br>Hard to come down to this. Just off-dry, crisp, solid. <br />

Good+.<br />

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And finally, a few other selections.<br />

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<b>2000 Etude Pinot Gris</b><i> - Carneros, California, USA (9/11/2004)</i><br>Bad bottle.<br />

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<b>1999 York Creek Vineyards Meritage</b><i> - Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California, USA (9/11/2004)</i><br>$45/ 36.75 Dee Vine wine club, 13.5%.<br>Cassis, earthy. Not quite ripe? Medium bodied. Good.<br />

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Walt<br />