WTN: Two Rieslings

[David M. Bueker]

Dinner at the local Asian BYO with Laura and Salil

2004 Spreitzer Oestricher Lenchen Riesling Spatlese '303'
A specially named bottling that comes from a parcel that produced a record TBA years ago. That said, the '303' bottling does try to approach TBA level in some years. The '04 is very honeyed and has more than its fair share of baking spice elements (courtesy of all the botrytis), but is also has a back end clarity that brings it back into the modern Spatlese (i.e. old time gold capsule auslese) range. Needs a touch more lift and to rid itself of a phenolic bite to be outstanding, but a very good drink.

2002 Gunderloch Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Auslese
It actually seems less weighty than the Spreitzer, but I think that is basically because it has less overt botrytis. What it does have is freshness allied to richness, red tinged peach fruit and back end cleansing minerality and a touch of iron. Not much development here, but plenty of depth and weight for much longer cellaring. Outstanding wine.

Dinner at the local Asian BYO with Laura and Salil

2004 Spreitzer Oestricher Lenchen Riesling Spatlese '303'
A specially named bottling that comes from a parcel that produced a record TBA years ago. That said, the '303' bottling does try to approach TBA level in some years. The '04 is very honeyed and has more than its fair share of baking spice elements (courtesy of all the botrytis), but is also has a back end clarity that brings it back into the modern Spatlese (i.e. old time gold capsule auslese) range. Needs a touch more lift and to rid itself of a phenolic bite to be outstanding, but a very good drink.

2002 Gunderloch Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Auslese
It actually seems less weighty than the Spreitzer, but I think that is basically because it has less overt botrytis. What it does have is freshness allied to richness, red tinged peach fruit and back end cleansing minerality and a touch of iron. Not much development here, but plenty of depth and weight for much longer cellaring. Outstanding wine.

Hi David,

I have the 2001 Gunderloch N R Auslese in my cellar. I plan to have it on my 60th birthday in November. Based on your tasting of the 2002, how do you think the 2001 will be drinking now?

Tom, can't believe a kid like you are going to be 60 soon!

2004 Spreitzer Oestricher Lenchen Riesling Spatlese '303'
A specially named bottling that comes from a parcel that produced a record TBA years ago. That said, the '303' bottling does try to approach TBA level in some years. The '04 is very honeyed and has more than its fair share of baking spice elements (courtesy of all the botrytis), but is also has a back end clarity that brings it back into the modern Spatlese (i.e. old time gold capsule auslese) range. Needs a touch more lift and to rid itself of a phenolic bite to be outstanding, but a very good drink.

Interesting, David. I have very fond memories of lunching at Weingärten in Östrich, a quiet little town situated along the Rhein in the Rheingau. The wines we had back then (pre-1980) were simple and quaffable. It's nice to know that there's something more substantial coming out of there.

Mark Lipton

[David M. Bueker]

Mark,

The Spreitzer brothers are near the top in terms of quality coming out of the Rhingau. They have been on my go-to list since 2001.

[David M. Bueker]

I have the 2001 Gunderloch N R Auslese in my cellar. I plan to have it on my 60th birthday in November. Based on your tasting of the 2002, how do you think the 2001 will be drinking now?

Tom,

It will still be a young wine, but should be delicious.

Tom, can't believe a kid like you are going to be 60 soon!

Hi Bob,

Us 'kids' have a nasty habit of age sneaking up on us. Looking forward to some good wines to celebrate, which is probably one of the best things about getting older, more excuses to drink fine wine.