WTN: Klassic Kabinett (Willi Schaefer)

[David M. Bueker]

2008 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett (AP#2)
Classic Mosel kabinett with racy acidity (even to me), crisp apple flavors and a firm mineral backbone. This is what I "grew up with" in German Riesling style, and it's very nice to have a vintage that gives more apple and less tropical flavors for a change. If you want to know what Mosel Riesling is all about then this is the perfect wine to find out.

I love this wine, and plan to reload next time I'm at Table & Vine (in fulls this time, as the 375s I picked up from Crush got emptied much too quickly).

And on an aside I must again comment on just how awesome this vintage is for my taste (particularly with the filters of really good importer selections and a couple of great retailers). Have had mostly hits and only a couple of misses from the 08s I've had in the last few months, and it's really nice to have so many choices for really good, refreshing Kabinetts in the <$20 range.

I love that one. Also try the 08 QbA halbtrocken (screwcap) if it is available to you.

Peter

[David M. Bueker]

Unfortunately Terry Theise did not bring in the halbtrocken.

David

I had another of the 2007 vintage last night. Though I am starting to think perhaps I should take out a few more for summer and leave the rest of the case alone in the cellar for another decade. The 08s arrive soon so going by your note above, I will try and grab some more to try. A question though: you refer to AP#2. For the life of me, I can't see any similar reference letters on the bottle in front of me. The rest of the name matches, namely Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett. Is AP#2 a variant or the same wine (barring the vintage).

Mark

A question though: you refer to AP#2. For the life of me, I can't see any similar reference letters on the bottle in front of me. The rest of the name matches, namely Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett. Is AP#2 a variant or the same wine (barring the vintage).

Mark

http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalgu ... atap.shtml

[David M. Bueker]

Mark,

Willi Schaefer tends to make multiple "versions" of the same wine each year. The AP number is an official German designator that helps the truly geeky (like me & Salil) tell the bottlings apart. For casual enjoyment it's practical to ignore them.

Rahsaan thanks for this. Sadly I seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place with German wines. I have really taken to them again this year and having tried a few old stunning examples would like to cellar more. At the same time mastering the various regions and APs etc is like trying to fully appreciate all the differences between the various burgundy communes, the bordeaux appellations and the sub regions of Piedmonte. You know if you can get on top of all of them you were drink better wine, you just won't have a normal life.

Rahsaan thanks for this. Sadly I seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place with German wines. I have really taken to them again this year and having tried a few old stunning examples would like to cellar more. At the same time mastering the various regions and APs etc is like trying to fully appreciate all the differences between the various burgundy communes, the bordeaux appellations and the sub regions of Piedmonte. You know if you can get on top of all of them you were drink better wine, you just won't have a normal life.

When did you come to the false conclusion that any real wine geek lives a "normal" life. Been smoking Mendocino Gold?

Rahsaan thanks for this. Sadly I seem to be stuck between a rock and a hard place with German wines. I have really taken to them again this year and having tried a few old stunning examples would like to cellar more. At the same time mastering the various regions and APs etc is like trying to fully appreciate all the differences between the various burgundy communes, the bordeaux appellations and the sub regions of Piedmonte. You know if you can get on top of all of them you were drink better wine, you just won't have a normal life.

When did you come to the false conclusion that any real wine geek lives a "normal" life. Been smoking Mendocino Gold?

An interesting topic of discussion. The balance between a "normal" life and the endless search for The Knowledge. Years I ago I decided I didn't want to get into wine on a professional basis (assuming this was a possibility) mainly "professionals" seem to have to drink some much young raw rubbish in between the occassional gem. At the same time even after 30 years of collecting and consumming, there always seems to be some new facet that requires in depth "research" followed by empirical confirmation. Sadly the days of Mendocino Gold on the other hand are but a dim memory.

At the same time even after 30 years of collecting and consumming, there always seems to be some new facet that requires in depth "research" followed by empirical confirmation...

Well, I suppose it depends what your goals are, as you state.

But, the AP numbers are not really that tricky to master. It's just like the notion of special cuvees, which is common elsewhere. And it's up to you how much of the details you really need to remember about who did what from what vineyard in what year. At a minimum, if you know enough to buy the wines and enjoy them, you're already winning!

I had the 08 estate QbA, tasty little bottle, I'll be looking for the Kab!

An interesting topic of discussion. The balance between a "normal" life and the endless search for The Knowledge.

I thought you needed a London cabbie's license to have mastered 'The Knowledge'