Kerpen?

A miracle! We're finally getting a German Riesling on the Finnish market that isn't a Trocken and as a bonus it is finally not from either Baden or Rheingau, but from the Mosel!

Any TNs on Kerpen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2006? I don't remember ever trying Kerpen's wines, so can someone give an overview of their wines and style(s)?

-O

[David M. Bueker]

Good producer that had a very fine 2006 vintage. It's going to be sweet and have a good bit of botrytis (style of the vintage) and be more like a beerenauslese thatn an auslese.

Kerpen is one of those producers I frequently overlook until I taste a bottle with a few years on it. Then I wonder why I didn't buy them.

Also using Vino-Lok for most (all?) bottlings.

David's the German guru, but I'll chime in to add I also often forget Kerpen, but usually enjoy. I don' think of Kerpen as top-tier, but I do think solid 2nd tier. And usually good value. That said, all of my recent tastes were Kab/Spat, and mostly '01.

We get Kerpen in New Zealand and I've tasted some rather lovely wines since being introduced to them almost five years ago. They've a whole range of styles / sweetness levels - including a stunning Kerpen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2002, tasted several times during that period but most recently in Feb 2007. My notes: - Light yellow gold with a lightly honeyed, hay and citrus peel aromas and a crisp, dryish palate filled with tropical fruit, pineapple, tart yet juicy citrus. A weighty wine with a delicious honeyed overlay balancing and a long, flavoursome finish. 9.5% alc

Another one I tasted in May 2007 was labeled Kerpen Classic Riesling 2002. My notes: Bright, clear, citrine in colour, it's brightly aromatic with an engine oil overlay to the apricot and custard scents and the palate is full of vibrant acidity with apples, crushed melon, kumquat, lime and honey with a hint of struck match on the finish. A big, oily style, showing a little age and not immediately recognisable as German. 12% alc.

Most recently tasted Kerpen was in December 2007 at a dinner. Kerpen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2001 - Long and sweet, poised and elegant with gorgeous purity. 8% alcohol. This wine was quite sulphury when young (noted in April 2003), but it has improved on every subsequent tasting and no sulphur noted in latest delicious sip.

They've some very interesting artistic labels too.
Haven't seen any Vino-Lok closures here. All cork. But haven't seen any recent vintages of Kerpen.

Cheers,
Sue

[David M. Bueker]

Vino-lok started with the 2005 vintage. And 2nd tier is the proper place for Kerpen in my book. They are solid though, very solid.

Thanks for all the above - I very much look forward to trying it. Alko's website says that the wine is under natural cork. I hope Alko got that wrong...

-O

[David M. Bueker]

Alko's website says that the wine is under natural cork. I hope Alko got that wrong...

I would be surprised by a natural cork, but please let us know!

I dont buy Kerpen myself, but I often get their wines at home. My parents are customers. They tend to go for dry wines though. The WS Spl trocken 2005 was very good. Theise is very enthusiastic about 2006 here. Maybe he's on the way up? Very nice man anyway, and if the price is right, always worth a look.

Peter

[David M. Bueker]

Kerpen has done a feinherb Spatlese for a couple of years that I like a lot.

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