Christoffel Gets Screwed!

[David M. Bueker]

I received an e-mail from Robert Eymael (who manages both Monchof and Christoffel), and starting with the 2005 vintage, at least the Christoffel QbA and Kabinetts will have Stelvin closures. I don't know about any other pradikats, but this is a good start.

The other bit of data is that he also said to drink up the synthetically closed kabinetts (2002-2004) within the "next months."

[Jenise]

drink up the synthetically closed kabinetts (2002-2004) within the "next months."

Is that because there are problems with the synthetic corks?

David,
are all the Kabinetts synthetic? Because I thought I had some with natural corks. I have some through authorized channels, but most are grey market.

[Robin Garr]

Is that because there are problems with the synthetic corks?

Can't speak for Christoffel, or David, but my experience, and abundant testimony from folks I trust, strongly suggests that the synthetics are not proving out for long-term or even medium-term storage. (Not talking about screwcaps here, but the various forms of plastic cork-shaped stoppers.) For light whites to drink up within a year, maybe. But anything over a couple of years past bottling is looking increasingly iffy.

[David M. Bueker]

Ok...here's what I know: Some, but not all of the Christoffel Kabinetts from 2002-2004 have synthetic corks. Some have real cork (cold comfort...). The QbA is all synthetic from what I hear. There are no AP number differences from real cork to synthetic cork.

Anyway, the synthetic corked 2002 Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett that was part of a tasting on 4/27 was oxidizing. The 2003 of the same wine (at the same event) was prematurely advanced. BOth came from impeccable channels and my anal retentive storage. Robert Eymael has (in his e-mail...hmm...Eymael sending e-mail) indicated he knows there is a problem with the synthetics. For those who wonder, the Christoffels were under the hard plastic extruded plug type cork. These things suck plain and simple.

The 2003 of the same wine (at the same event) was prematurely advanced.

But the 03 UW spatlese are fine for aging?

I forget if it was synthetic or not..

[David M. Bueker]

The spatlese and above are real cork as far as I know.