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WTN: Riesling in August Company

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Doug Surplus

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WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Doug Surplus » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:04 am

A few weeks ago, August Kesseler came to Phoenix and presented some of his wines at Cave Creek Wines. I was fortunate enough to get a seat for the action (along with my daughter and one of her friends).

Herr Kesseler is a friendly, engaging fellow with a cherubic smile and a good sense of humour. He started off by saying he was a bit out of sorts as it was 7PM and he hadn't yet had his 5 o'clock Riesling. However, he expected to be much better 20 minutes hence.

Anyway, on to the wine, in the order presented. Notes were sparse and my memory is sparser, but I believe I've captured the essence of the wines:

2005 August Kesseler Spatburgunder Rose Light minerals underpin flowery scents; minerals and floweres dance over the tongue. Bought 2.

2004 August Kesseler Riesling Kabinett (his idea of a 5 o'clock wine): Bone dry, lightly acidic with a refreshing citrus aroma that carries over into the mouth. 12.5% abv. Ordered 3.

2004 August Kesseler Estate Riesling Qba Notes of honey, even though it's dry and a lingering finish make this a joy to drink. Again with pleasant acidity and good balance. Ordered 3

2005 August Kesseler Silvaner & Riesling Qba Bone dry, austere with a lingering finish. OK, but didn't thrill me so I didn't order any.

2003 Lorcher Schlossber Riesling Kabinett Minerally, with a hint of petrol. Good wine but I didn't order any and don't remember why I didn't. Mabye because the next two blew it out of the water, so to speak.

2003 Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck Riesling Kabinett Off-dry, honeyed with brisk acidity and only 8% alcohol. Bought 3.

2004 Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese Gold Cap Oh my. Sweet honeyed apples with enough acidity to cut through to a lingering tart and very clean finish. My WOTN and 6% alcohol. Bought 3.

2000 August Kesseler 'Cuvee Max' Spatburgunder This was orignally going to be poured first, but August changed his mind on the way to the wine shop. I think he should have stuck with the original plan as most of us had our palates overwhelmed by the last two Rieslings. It was a wrencing paradigm shift to a gracefully aged Pinot that still had decent acidty with a mushroomy, leaf-mold character. While I could begin to appreciate what was there, I couldn't bring myself to part with $55 for it.
Doug

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Rahsaan

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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Rahsaan » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:34 am

Doug Surplus wrote:2000 August Kesseler 'Cuvee Max' Spatburgunder This was orignally going to be poured first, but August changed his mind on the way to the wine shop. I think he should have stuck with the original plan as most of us had our palates overwhelmed by the last two Rieslings..


That is a strange decision.

Did he offer any explanation of his reasoning? (Other than the fact that he was primarily jonesing for riesling)..
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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Doug Surplus » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:04 am

Rahsaan wrote:
Doug Surplus wrote:2000 August Kesseler 'Cuvee Max' Spatburgunder This was orignally going to be poured first, but August changed his mind on the way to the wine shop. I think he should have stuck with the original plan as most of us had our palates overwhelmed by the last two Rieslings..


That is a strange decision.

Did he offer any explanation of his reasoning? (Other than the fact that he was primarily jonesing for riesling)..


No explanation was given, and Lena, the distributor of his wines here, tried to persuade him otherwise, but did not prevail. When she pours a Pinot at what is mostly a Riesling tasting, she always pours it ahead of any Spatlese.
Doug

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Oswaldo Costa

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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Oswaldo Costa » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:31 am

I really liked a Kesseler rosé that I tried last year that the store attendant said was made 100% from pinot noir. Do you remember if the first wine on your list was also 100% pinot?
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Dick Bueker

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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Dick Bueker » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:05 am

I'm a real fan of Kesseler's wines. First introduced to him at the 2005 German Wine Society national event. We have been through cases of the '04 kabinets (various). Have not been able to find any locally. I will agree with previous posts on the pinots, they are good but expensive for what they are. He is one of my favorite producers. 8)
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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Bill Buitenhuys » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:53 am

I'm sorry to have missed this one, Doug. Thanks for the report. Sounds like you found some nice wines.

I'm surprised the '04 Estate is still showing so well. I thought it was fading when I finished my last bottled this past fall but I'm not all that good at judging longevity.
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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Doug Surplus » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:19 am

Oswaldo Costa wrote:I really liked a Kesseler rosé that I tried last year that the store attendant said was made 100% from pinot noir. Do you remember if the first wine on your list was also 100% pinot?


Oswaldo - Yes, it was 100% Pinot Noir.

Dick - one of the bright spots in the Phoenix wine scene is the distributor of these wines. Lena and her husband retired here from Germany and were disappointed at not being able to find their favorite Rieslings.
So they started up a company to import wine from Germany, as well as some from other countries. They even find some gems from the USA.
Doug

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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Dick Bueker » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:23 am

Bill - I picked up some '04 Estate Trocken in Houston in Jan. Still doing great. Only had room for 3. If I had had more room or money, I'd have bought a case. 8) This from the non riesling side of the family.
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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Bill Buitenhuys » Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:40 pm

I think you do pretty well for the non riesling side, Dick. :D David and I had split a case of '04 Estate QbA back in 2005. I drank up all mine but he probably has 1 or 2 hidden.
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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Bill Buitenhuys » Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:43 pm

btw, Doug, your mention of 4inwine prompted me to do some hunting.
Have you tried anything from Beulwitz? I grabbed a couple bottles of the '01 Kaseler Nieschen spat*** GK today.
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Re: WTN: Riesling in August Company

by Doug Surplus » Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:46 pm

Bill Buitenhuys wrote:btw, Doug, your mention of 4inwine prompted me to do some hunting.
Have you tried anything from Beulwitz? I grabbed a couple bottles of the '01 Kaseler Nieschen spat*** GK today.


Lena often brings a von Beulwitz or two along when she's presenting at Cave Creek and I never fail to buy some. Currently I have 2 Kabinetts and 2 Spatleses (but not GK) in the cellar. I find them to be a very good value.
Doug

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