Hermann Franz Schmitt
Franz Karl Schmitt
Niersteiner Pettenthal Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling 1934
An absolute privilege to have tasted this drop of liquid history. How well it showed is a testament to the provenance and ultimately, the strength of the terrior. Constantly evolving in the glass. How I wished I had more time with it. I believe my dear friend SC described the wine aptly as follow:
A 1934 Trockenbeerenauslese from Franz Karl Schmitt’s plot on Pettenthal , the same vineyard used by KPK to produce this stunning Nierstein auctioned GG in our days. The long aging time reveals here the potential of the terrior, the expression of the soil stands out and dominate the characteristics of the Pradikat, could be even a red wine blindly. The wine is nearly dry, with a refreshing mix of acidity and tannin-like bitterness (soil characteristics?), so complex and long with unique velvety mouthfeel.
NB: Found in an old cellar, unmoved from day 1 by MH, and also generously shared by him at the Keller household. I can't think of a better way to have enjoyed this wine. — 5 years ago
Franz Karl Schmitt
Niersteiner Orbel Spätlese trocken Riesling 2009
Lovely, drink now thru 2020 dry Riesling. Sadly, the last vintage from dear old Franz Karl. The kids don't want to run the business so the vineyards were sold off. Wine estate in the family since 1549. The first wine family to register a TBA in the Rheinhessen in the early 1900s. Sad. This is not an isolated example. More estate info here. http://www.vinnicombe-wine.de/download/profile/F%20K%20Schmitt.pdf — 11 years ago
Franz Karl Schmitt
Niersteiner Kehr Beerenauslese Riesling 1934
This didn’t captivate the audience quite like the same producer’s and vintage’s Pettenthal TBA a few years ago, but it was still a privilege to drink. I always feel so lucky to be able to taste wines like this - a pristine snapshot of history straight from the source, moving only once since it’s birth nearly nine decades ago (from the cellars of Franz Karl Schmitt to KP’s). The distillation of time revealed the inherently regal quality of Nierstein, even coming from the supposedly lower quality foothills of the red slopes. The wine was almost entirely dry, with remarkable flavours of cherry liqueur, warm earth, caramel, coffee, and bitter almonds; but perhaps the most astounding element was its textural quality - akin to a great aged red, with tannic grip and a weighty body. A little more acidity would have taken this up a notch, but that’s nitpicking for a wine this old. Overall, this was quite the night cap courtesy of KP. Danke! — 2 years ago
Weingut Keller
Niersteiner Hipping R Riesling 2011
2011 Keller 'Niersteiner Hipping - R' Riesling off-dry, Rheinhessen, Germany...this is the Debut bottling of Keller, from a historic, steep and red slate site. Purchased from Franz Karl Schmitt, served at the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. This is a beautiful Riesling, technically medium-dry, but the rs content is barely noticeable. Intense aromas of ripe peaches and spiced quince. The fruit feels lush in the mouth (Spaetlese - level) without being heavy. Some stoney and smoky mineral undertones, adding complexity and tension..need to get more of this!! — 10 years ago
Franz Karl Schmitt
Hermannshof Nierstein Orbel Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling 1925
100 yr old Riesling ko — 2 years ago
Franz Karl Schmitt
Niersteiner Beerenauslese Riesling 1920
Dark in color. Not much sweetness left but a soft rounded gentle marmalade and dark limpid fruit. Interesting — 5 years ago
Tom Elliot
Founder Northwest Wines
A very nice, “normal” Auslese at 22 years with 10 more possible. Clean fruit, medium-bodied, and not overly sweet. — 8 months ago