WTN: Georg Breuer Rauenthal Nonnenberg Riesling 2004

Besides Berg Schlossberg, this is Breuers finest riesling. It would be a great sparring partner for Savennières. Bone dry, muscular, mineral-packed and wielding a sack of acidic snap. The "New-style" Rheingau wines often come off a bit more sappy and succulent. This is an Axe waiting to be buried in your palate. Sure there's peach and marmalade, grapefruit, and orange peel, but the mineral is already taking a firm stand. Kerosene which has been infused with peppermint and ginger, wild-flower aromas and a little sweat and sex. It is quite an experience to drink wines with this much power who also display such scathing acid. 13% Alc. 30€ ?

Hi Bill,
Nice note!
I've only had the opportunity to try a few of Breuer's wines and have enjoyed every one of them. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for my wallet, not many find their way to the local market.
Do I recall correctly that this estate had a change of winemaker or perhaps ownership in that last 3-5 years? If so, do you know if 2004 was under the new or old regime?
Thanks.

Bill,

Bernhard Breuer died in the spring of 2004, so this ('04)would be the first vintage without him at the helm. The Weingut (and hotel) continue to be run by the family Breuer with Herr Hermann Schmoranz as winemaker. You're right about them being scarce stateside. I have only seen the lesser bottlings on sale in MN (The Estate and Sauvage, and have rarely encountered them elsewhere. The Berg Schlossberg is really only available in Germany by pre-sell (Purchase in Oct for March release.) I'm told that the US gets a couple of cases but have seen no evidence of it. Breuer is certainly one of the finest producers of Dry Riesling in Germany.

Bill,
Thanks for my the update on Georg Breuer. I feel pretty fortunate to have discovered 4 bottles of the 2001 Berg Schlossberg at retail a few years ago...at a very attractive price...$18 IIRC.
'Winger

Bill,
Thanks for my the update on Georg Breuer. I feel pretty fortunate to have discovered 4 bottles of the 2001 Berg Schlossberg at retail a few years ago...at a very attractive price...$18 IIRC.
'Winger

Lucky dog. Were they on closeout?

...Were they on closeout?

Sort of. The retailer, who is not known for low margins, apparently got a great deal from the distributor. I wish I had wandered in there a few days earlier when a couple of cases were available instead of 4 bottles. Oh well.
BP