WTNs: Wagner-Stempel Scheurebe, Weinbach Riesling

Wagner Stempel Scheurebe Trocken 2008 -Rheinhessen, Germany

Scheurebe that drinks like Dry Muscat. There is lemon zest, a subtle whisper of cassis, dandelion, medical marijuana, coriander, gunflint, and smart acidity. 12,0% Alc. -BH


Weinbach Cuvee Ste. Catherine Riesling 2004 -Alsace, France

This is not the GC Schlossberg CSC. Bottled under Vino-Lok. It is a firm and assertive Riesling, though not without richness, showing a bit older than her age (Vino-Lok?) Lime, dried wildflowers, corn meal, peanut brittle and maybe a bit of nutmeg. It calls to mind some of the flavors of Champagne. I like it, though it doesn’t strike the mineral chord of Weinbach Grand Cru Schlossberg Riesling or the voluptuousness of the GC Schlossberg Cuvee Ste. Catherine. 13,5% Alc.
-BH

Thanks for those notes Bill. I've heard a lot of good things about Wagner-Stempel, need to try one of their wines sometime soon.

Re. the Weinbach, great to hear that they are switching to some alternative closures - I will definitely have to look out for some of their new bottlings. (If only there weren't so many bottlings to try and figure out.)

Hello Salil,

What has impressed me most about Daniel Wagner is his brilliant command of the entire range of his wines. He coaxes out Nahe-like precision and minerality from his Rheinhessen vineyards (which are situated closer to the Nahe than to Bingen, the Rote Hang or the Wonnegau.) And besides excellent Riesling, he makes great Silvaner, Scheurebe, and Sauvignon as well.

Your comment about the many Weinbach Cuvees got me thinking about how spectacular a blend of Weinbach's Schlossberg holdings might be. Like an Alsatian Steinberger.

Check out this link for some clarification:
http://www.domaineweinbach.com/en/wines/riesling.htm

Cheers,
Bill

He coaxes out Nahe-like precision and minerality...

Nahe-like precision and minerality! Come on, surely there are other places that better exemplify those two traits