WTN: 2012 Willi Schaefer Himmelreich Spätlese

[David M. Bueker]

2012 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese #8 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (12/29/2015)
Surprisingly still very much open for business. Lots of ripe apple and quince fruit and a lovely acidic spine. This was totally slurpable!

do you think '12s in general are closing down?

[David M. Bueker]

No. And that surprises me.

I had a bottle of this 2012 last night and my experience was very similar to yours. The fruit was so vibrant and seductive but the mineral acid structure was dazzling. So balanced. So lovely. Tonight's 2011 was nowhere near as fun and seemed a bit dull, even as it opened. But the vintages have always been that way for me.

2014 GH Kabinett was also quite nice, fresh, brisk (but with weight), and fun to drink.

[David M. Bueker]

I luckily do not have much 2011 (by my standards). I think the wines will eventually be serviceable, but never something I go looking to drink, except for some of the dry wines. It's a good vintage for dry wines.

I have to wonder what you gentlemen are paying for these Schaefer wines? Bet you know what we pay up here .

I luckily do not have much 2011 (by my standards). I think the wines will eventually be serviceable, but never something I go looking to drink, except for some of the dry wines. It's a good vintage for dry wines.

Good to know. I've been hesitant to buy any 2011 dry wines because of my experiences with the off-dry ones. But nice to know I need not be afraid.

I have to wonder what you gentlemen are paying for these Schaefer wines? Bet you know what we pay up here .

Sorry to hear that. I guess you have many wine market challenges!

From my perspective the US prices are pretty fair. There is variation, but the kabinetts are generally in the 20s and the spatleses are generally in the 30s. Certainly in line with other producers of similar (or lesser) quality.

In German retail I pay a bit less (further aided by the favorable exchange rate). 17euros/19USD for kabinett and 21euros/23USD for spatlese.

[David M. Bueker]

Pricing for Schaefer Spätlese has increased dramatically the last few years, with the AP#5 Domprobst Spätlese now going for $49.99 in most places. The AP#10 is still $39.99. (Schaefer keeps the AP numbers consistent year after year.)

Pricing for Schaefer Spätlese has increased dramatically the last few years, with the AP#5 Domprobst Spätlese now going for $49.99 in most places. The AP#10 is still $39.99. (Schaefer keeps the AP numbers consistent year after year.)

Ok. But he's not alone in that pricing territory, is he?

[David M. Bueker]

No. $50 for a top Spätlese is pretty much the new normal, unless you are Egon Muller.