I was looking forward to Stefan Vetter’s sylvaners, having heard so many good things (and such low alcohol to boot). But these bottles did not convince and I probably won’t be following up on my own initiative. Tell me what I’m missing?
2019 Stefan Vetter Sylvaner
I took this to a raclette dinner, thinking it would be a good match. I suppose it was, although I found it very disappointing. Generic hazy unfiltered apple cider. Maybe I need to reorient my understanding of sylvaner, but I would have never picked this as sylvaner if tasted blind. Pretty much fit into the stereotype of generic natural wine and not inspiring to drink more.
2017 Stefan Vetter CK Sylvaner
More cider! But better tension and texture than the base bottling. Here we get some fine firm mineral quality, but overall the dull apple cider profile does not inspire me.
2017 Stefan Vetter GK Sylvaner
The most promising of the three. Still leaning apple/pear, but not all the way into dull cider. Instead, it is offset with other dimensions, pale citrus and white flowers. There is a plump juicy body that helps make it attractive, but also very light, firm and composed, with piercing saturated minerals lingering on the palate. This is a nice wine and I drink more of it than the other bottles. I guess this shows me why some people are so excited about Vetter, but with this flavor profile it’s not something I need to pursue.