WTN: 2001 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese (M-S-R)

[David M. Bueker]

Uncorked last night to check on how things are going in the stash of 2001s.

In the case of the Schlossberg Spätlese we are just starting to get there. Certainly the petrol element is coming through loud and clar, and there is still a burst of fruit (apples mostly) and minerals with an emerging creaminess on the palate. Yet there is still a significant tightness to the wine, and only with extended airation did further complexity (citrus, greater definition ot the mineral base) come out. The finish still displays that mouthfilling quality (expanding on the palate) that the best 2001s have in abundance.

All the parts are in balance here, and the wine is not too sweet at all, yet has enough sugar in reserve for another 3-4 year slumber in the cellar before hitting its true peak window of drinkability.

This is delicious spätlese, but needs just a little more time to show at its best.

Thanks for checking, David. I thought I had this wine, but it's the Wehlener Sonnenuhr.

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks for checking, David. I thought I had this wine, but it's the Wehlener Sonnenuhr.

That's a very good one too! You won't be sorry. And you'll get to taste the Schlossberg sometime.

David,

Since you didn't give an AP number, does that mean that there's only one bottling of this? Thanks.

Oh, and just to increase the permutations beyond Zeltinger Schlossberg and Wehlener Sonnenuhr, I've also got some Zeltinger Sonnenuhr.

[David M. Bueker]

There might be more than 1 bottling, but I doubt it. I can check the AP another time as I have more. Normally there are not multiple APs of the Selbach wines, just lots of additional wines with * on them.

And just to add to the fun, from 2001 I have the Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, Zeltinger Schlossberg and Graacher Himmelreich* spatlesen. There's more too!

Don't even get me started on all the auslesen!!!

So is it one Sonnenuhr vineyard that borders on Wehlen and Zelting or are the Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr two completely different vineyards?

Found some S-O Zeltlinger Sonnenuhr Spatlese 2002 at a decent price here in Charlotte last night. More bottles for the luggage.

[David M. Bueker]

Bill,

The vineyards are near each other, but not contiguous. I would need my maps to be sure.

David

p.s. the 2002 is quite good.

There might be more than 1 bottling, but I doubt it. I can check the AP another time as I have more. Normally there are not multiple APs of the Selbach wines, just lots of additional wines with * on them.

David,

Thanks. I'd list the AP numbers of the bottles I have, but I'd need to dig out the bottles to get the numbers. I've since started recording AP numbers in my inventory spreadsheet so I can correlate with tasting notes.

Graacher Himmelreich* spatlesen

I've got a bottle of this as well, though I didn't mention it because it didn't have either Zeltinger or Sonnenuhr in the name.