WTN: A very fine Mosel...er Pfalz Kabinett -2008 Minges

2008 Theo Minges Gleisweiler Hölle Riesling Kabinett Trocken –Pfalz, Germany 11% alc.

Terry has spoken many times about the similarities that Minges shares with his Mosel brethren. Perhaps so, but NEVER has a Minges wine or any Pfälzer wine outside of a Meßmer Burrweiler Schäwer struck me as so very Mosel and maybe not even then. It isn’t the soil that does it in this case (the Hölle contains no slate, but rather chalk, clay, sand and loam), but presumably the farming and the long-lees contact. The vintage has a lot to do with it as well, and this has silvery acidity to grace the slightly more generous fruit than a Mosel Riesling might give. But that fruit is apples and pears, not peach and apricot and plum like we normally see in the Pfalz. Elegantly floral with just a touch of what the Germans call UTA (Untypischer Alterungston) and everyone else calls petrol. It is absolutely amazing at this point, and it makes me very happy about the amazing diversity of Riesling that can be found in the Pfalz. If you are a lover of Mosel Riesling, especially one with drier tastes (seemingly on the upswing), I cannot conceive of why your cellar would not be stocked with Theo Minges wine.

Cheers,
Bill

Thanks for the note. Interesting to hear of a Pfälzer being so Mosel-like.

Associating petrol/kerosene notes exclusively with atypical ageing is inaccurate. Is that such a widespead perception in Germany now (shame if it is)?

Thanks for the note. Interesting to hear of a Pfälzer being so Mosel-like.

Associating petrol/kerosene notes exclusively with atypical ageing is inaccurate. Is that such a widespead perception in Germany now (shame if it is)?

Hi Ben,

It isn't exclusively associated with petrol, but UTA is thrown around as the culprit for many percieved flaws by winemakers (usually in describing other peoples wine.)

Cheers,
Bill

[David M. Bueker]

Our cellar has few Minges wines because Terry/Skurnik rarely shows more than 1 or maybe 2 at his big tastings. I would love to sample the range, but have not had the opportunity.

Hi Bill -

Thank you for the note. Although I've only had a couple of Minges' wines myself, I recall the 2004 Gleisweiler Hölle Riesling Kabinett that I had a year ago being very Mosel-like. Terry Theise also mentioned the Mosel resemblance of Minges' Rieslings in one of his catalogs.

Our cellar has few Minges wines because Terry/Skurnik rarely shows more than 1 or maybe 2 at his big tastings. I would love to sample the range, but have not had the opportunity.

Space is limited at those tastings and I highly doubt that Theo Minges would personally attend (a very shy man) but I'll bet that in the future his daughter will be more of a presence. I don't know how well she can speak english, but she is among the more enthusiastic German winery-folks that I have ever met. But, Minges has a big range and I know that Terry brings in quite a few. How often do you see the wines on the shelves? If you can find a bottle of the Froschkönig Riesling (there is both a dry and sweeter version) take a chance on a bottle. Amazing stuff.