Koehler-Ruprecht
Kallstadter Saumagen R Auslese Trocken Riesling
Pfalz, Germany
The best wines are often circumstantial, which couldn’t be truer here. I’ve had this wine on a couple of occasions and none has hit a peak quite like this bottle. Whether it’s the extra cellaring time, the quelling of a built-up riesling craving, or the excellent company, I’m sure it all contributed to the best riesling I’ve had this year. This was comforting, complete, invigorating. Powerful and ripe, deep and savoury, yet fiercely mineral, herbal, and taut, all inflected by a certain special Koehler-Ruprecht earthiness. A one on the binary scale!
The best wines are often circumstantial, which couldn’t be truer here. I’ve had this wine on a couple of occasions and none has hit a peak quite like this bottle. Whether it’s the extra cellaring time, the quelling of a built-up riesling craving, or the excellent company, I’m sure it all contributed to the best riesling I’ve had this year. This was comforting, complete, invigorating. Powerful and ripe, deep and savoury, yet fiercely mineral, herbal, and taut, all inflected by a certain special Koehler-Ruprecht earthiness. A one on the binary scale!
May 14th, 2023This could easily be the WOTN on any other evening, but there were so many great wines on the table to contend for the title. To be frank, I'm sure everyone had a different favourite during the night. The 96' Saumagen for me was a serious runner-up.
I couldn't even tell it was a KR in the blind. The bouquet was so atypically floral and lacking in that KR "dirt" that I was totally thrown off. It was so fresh, even more so than the 04' medley that preceded, that it would have been impossible for me to have called it a 96'. Great texture and structure. Serious concentration of fruits and herbs. Mandarin, kiwi, preserved lemon, chrysanthemum, smoke, cream, fresh cut herbs. Finished painfully saline, supported by laser sharp acidity. Fantastic stuff. Still a baby after 23 years in bottle.
This could easily be the WOTN on any other evening, but there were so many great wines on the table to contend for the title. To be frank, I'm sure everyone had a different favourite during the night. The 96' Saumagen for me was a serious runner-up.
I couldn't even tell it was a KR in the blind. The bouquet was so atypically floral and lacking in that KR "dirt" that I was totally thrown off. It was so fresh, even more so than the 04' medley that preceded, that it would have been impossible for me to have called it a 96'. Great texture and structure. Serious concentration of fruits and herbs. Mandarin, kiwi, preserved lemon, chrysanthemum, smoke, cream, fresh cut herbs. Finished painfully saline, supported by laser sharp acidity. Fantastic stuff. Still a baby after 23 years in bottle.
A bit overshadowed by the G-Max. Nevertheless an outstanding Riesling from Bernd Phillipi which still can age for 10-15 more years.
A bit overshadowed by the G-Max. Nevertheless an outstanding Riesling from Bernd Phillipi which still can age for 10-15 more years.
Jun 5th, 2016
Had a couple of looks lately; this was the lesser bottle, basically showing a little less lift and vibrancy. But it's still a pretty awesome drink - great strength of fruit, texture, tension. Tropical fruits, pebbliness with a lick of herbs - the aroma sensations are pretty stimulating on their own, but the textural dimension is what makes it for me.
Had a couple of looks lately; this was the lesser bottle, basically showing a little less lift and vibrancy. But it's still a pretty awesome drink - great strength of fruit, texture, tension. Tropical fruits, pebbliness with a lick of herbs - the aroma sensations are pretty stimulating on their own, but the textural dimension is what makes it for me.
Aug 22nd, 2015This is crazy good. Well aged KR Auslese R is one of the best German Rieslings. If you can get your hands on some bottles don't hesitate.
This is crazy good. Well aged KR Auslese R is one of the best German Rieslings. If you can get your hands on some bottles don't hesitate.
Apr 20th, 2015The R Auslese from 08 showed a stony minerality on the mid-palate, great acidity and long finish. Nose was a bit withdrawn.
The R Auslese from 08 showed a stony minerality on the mid-palate, great acidity and long finish. Nose was a bit withdrawn.
Nov 28th, 2014*Auslese R Riesling trocken
*Auslese R Riesling trocken
Nov 27th, 2014Wow! So much potential.
Wow! So much potential.
Nov 27th, 2014