Kreuzberg
Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier
Kreuzberg Auslese Riesling 2019
Stunning nose. Saffron, rich honey and spices. Tangerine honey. Super rich, yet focused. Smells very rich and exotic. Wow, stunning palate. Rich yet so fresh with so much energy. Amazing purity and saline on the finish. Wow. Decadent yet so linear and energetic. Loads is citrus and guava. Perfect ripeness. A stunning Auslese. — 3 years ago
H.J. Kreuzberg
Brut Traditionelle Flaschengärung Blanc de Noir 2016
Can't remember — 7 years ago
Kreuzberg
Kreuzberg Ahrweiler Spätburgunder 2008
2008 vintage. Medium garnet. Amazing nose. Mineral and stoney, savoury and appealing. Coffee and wild blackberry. On the palate, spicy as hell. Medium plus acidity and medium body. Light tannins. Long finish. Very particular and not that subtle. But I like it. Drink now until 2026. — 9 years ago
Dönnhoff
Oberhäuser Brücke GG Riesling Trocken 2018
Wish I could tell you that I tasted the TBA, but silly me (and CW) decided we'd wait until we've tasted all the drier wines before moving on to this... then poof! None left. Sigh. Heard that it's amazing though and the hammer price seems to indicate so - 1020€ 0.375L, 2750€ 0.75L, and 18000€ 1.5L. Insane!
As for the GG, that I did taste. Again, take my notes with a grain of salt given how brief the occasion was. Very fruit driven, ranging from yellow stone fruits to exotic fruits, both on the nose and palate. Nose is beautifully touched by herbal notes. Noticeable sweetness on the palate. Excellent acidity, but I felt the finish was somewhat muted by a touch of warmth in the finish. Needs time to bring more balance. I thought it was a good GG, but trumped by the 18' ADL that it was tasted with on both occasions. 200€ 0.75L
NB: The usual suspects (at least for me) delivered the best dry rieslings at the Nahe VDP auctions. Some brief notes and in order of my favourites:
1) Emrich-Schonleber 18' Auf der Lay: My wine of the auction. Such a beautiful nose - Stone fruits, citrus, just the right amount of greenness (fresh cut herbs and grass), and a real chalky feel. The palate is just so saline, intense, deep, and balanced. Amazing drive. Almost as good as the 17'! 270€ 1.5L and 720€ 3.0L
2) Philipp Kuhn 18' Philippsbrunnen: Wow wow! Surprise of this auction. Precise, elegant, juicy, and so mineral. The nose is airy and cool. Multi-layered palate with sufficient extract. Gentle power comes to mind with this wine. I absolutely adored it and definitely one of the best buys this auction. 105€ 0.75L
3) Keller 18' Pettenthal: What can I say? The terroir is just so strong (taste any producer producing Pettenthal and you'll know) and KP does a great job at turning up the dial to 150%! Admittedly, the doesn't have the electricity of the 17' :( 800€ 0.75L
4) Wagner-Stempel 18' EMT: Better than the 17' I feel, but definitely still on the austere side. Some noticeable phenolics on the palate, but the density and depth is just plain impressive. Excellent value if you ask me. 100€ 0.75L
Lastly, something needs to said about the Wittmann La Borne and Battenfeld-Spanier Zellertal Kreuzberg - I don't get why people are paying so much for these wines (270€ and 210€ respectively). — 5 years ago
Winzer Krems Sandgrube 13
Reserve Kremser Kreuzberg Kremstal Riesling 2019
Bright gold. Abundant, aromatic nose of honeyed yellow apple and wet stone. Smells sweeter than it really is. Medium bodied palate gives crisp yellow apple, honeysuckle, and stony minerality from entry to moderate finish. Medium plus acidity. Exquisite Austrian Riesling from Kremstal with all of the aromatics and complexity of — dare I say it? — a Wachau Smaragd. Wursts and pork dishes are the natural pairing, but the universal white is always ready for anything, including extra time in the cellar. Drink now through 2029. — 3 years ago
Kreuzberg
Ahr Trocken Blanc De Noir 2016
Just OK. Wouldn't buy a case. — 7 years ago
Hessel Idema
Round and fruit summery light wine. — 6 months ago