WTN: A detour into the Rheingau

I’m still not entirely sure what led me to detour down the Rheingau aisle in my local Wine Emporium. Probably something about interesting selections that I rarely drink.

2006 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Kabinett feinherb Rotlack Auction

**Interestingly this was from the 2016 auction**

From the beginning this is lovely. Ripe, golden, aging and lively. Not at all what I remember of the young 2006 ponderous wines. In fact, for the first few hours this is glistening with minerals, cut, body and life. Perfect package.

That said, with air, the fruits turn red and it gets thicker and heavier. Perhaps this needs more time to fully unwind. Still, a very interesting interpretation of weight and verve and a great match with hummus, couscous, chanterelles/peas.

2009 Georg Breuer Rauenthal Nonnenberg Riesling
Rheingau for people who do not like the Rheingau! Sleek austere bare sparse firm hard. Pale lemon fruits. But with air, the fine crystal-ed structure and layered elegance emerges. Clearly a wine with merit. But now is probably not the best time to enjoy that merit. Come back in a few years. Alas.

wow, very interesting. Was AP number for '07 or '17? Wild that a halbtrocken Kab would have been offered at auction with age. Sounds up my alley.
Mostly I've had the Breuer PN, but have a couple bottles of Riesling, think '09 or '10, should check if this is one.

That's the funny part. AP number is 2007, auction sticker is September 17, 2016.

So it was sitting around in bottle for almost 10 years. Makes me wonder what their plans were during that time, and what led them to finally auction it last year.

For my tastes, and based on this one bottle, it is certainly delicious now but I'm also curious about potential to evolve further. Auction price not cheap, but still fair in my view, 43euros retail.

Not a bad detour Rahsaan. You have tempted me to open a Rheingau this evening.