Kirchspiel Riesling

Wine of this Melbourne trip. The 07’ Kirchspiel GG was incredible. One of the best renditions of this vineyard I’ve had. So deep, with a whole spectrum of fruits ranging from pineapples to lemons impossibly cramped into it, and a minerality that just explodes in the palate. Richly textured, yet just dances across the tongue with a sparkly acidity. A wine of superlatives basically, but most importantly, a wine that evaporated off the dinner table.

I believe that ‘glides’ is the right word.

Definitely a little more open than the first bottle this year. A gift lugged back from Germany about four months back, and opened some four hours before dinner to breathe. A touch of petrol on the nose when it was first poured out on the table, but that quickly blew away with subsequent pours and by the last pour, the wine was simply bonkers! Like the ocean - so broad, deep, and immensely saline. While second to minerality, the fruit concentration was no laughing matter too. For me, WOTN on it’s own but it was perhaps a little too overpowering for the fried pipefish which elevated the 19’ Dauvissat La Forest to another plane on this evening.

Decanted, but it never really opened up across our 4-hour dinner. Not as viciously austere as the 16’ Abtserde we had a few days back, but in similar fashion, it does put minerality first. Firm reduction on the nose, which eventually gave way to some herbal and chalky notes, as well as hints of citrus fruit. On the palate, it was more approachable - weighty with huge extract, riper stone fruits, juicy acidity, and intense chalkiness. Really enjoyed this, but it’s certainly in need of some serious cellaring time.

Was trying to age this… but was impatient

Perfectly mature Riesling showing how great this grape can be if you give it enough time and get it from a great producer. Asian spices, white flowers and fruit, hint of gout de petrol, off dry with a mineral on-set and a bit of sweetness on the mid-pallet. Stunning.

Tasted blind— called exact bottle! Keller Kirchspiel 2017 🤩

From the superb Weingut Keller, terrific balance and racy energy. Ripe stone fruits, lemongrass, crushed rocks and minerals. Already drinking very nicely and improves with a decant. Was a great way to reenergize the palate after a long day of drinking.

It's wines like this that made me so in love with riesling. Pinnacle level stuff. Mind-blown 🤯🤯🤯

Thought it was 07' Hubacker in our blind. Felt too opulent and a touch warm. Perhaps a bit advanced too, but not in a bad way - it has shed a lot of it's suphidic characters on the nose. I also thought it might have been made in KP's older style, with that monster extract. Nevertheless, this wine was restrained by searing acidity and ruthless minerality. Very exotic and spicy on the nose and palate, with an intriguing gingery finish. The taste lingers for ages. Powerful as it may be, the 14' Kirchspiel still manages to remain fresh and lifted. If I'm being really honest with myself, this isn't my favourite iteration of Kirchspiel but it was still enjoyable. Probably needs time to bring it more balance.