WTN: Kallstadt Me

[David M. Bueker]

2018 Koehler-Ruprecht Kallstadter Saumagen Riesling Auslese trocken - Germany, Pfalz (7/29/2022)
It’s always interesting to open a wine that has such a quietly legendary pedigree. It’s one of those things that is supposedly only for those “in the know.” Of course K-R was only just rediscovered in recent years. It was part of the Terry Theise portfolio for years, but never quite caught on. Now it’s a thing, as if it had never been discovered. It’s like celebrating Columbus “discovering America” in 1992 instead of 1492. Yeah, we know. We live here. Let me show you New York City.

All that aside this is a very nice wine. Is it revelatory? No. The balance is good. Seems like the high end of trocken, as I can detect some sweetness, but it’s in harmony with the acidity. Where this wine falls a bit short of excellence is the body. It’s a bit thin to carry all its elements. Needs to hit the weights, suck down some carbs and put on some muscle. It’s one of those German trockens that pales somewhat in the face of even relatively basic Austrian Rieslings. I know that’s kind of harsh, but it’s how I feel.

Interesting that the body would be (relatively) thin in 2018. That said, maybe a house/vineyard style? I've enjoyed the high-end R trockens, for the complex flavors. But even there, I wouldn't describe the body as muscular. And now that you mention it, they probably were a bit slim for the Pfalz.

[David M. Bueker]

Did not make it a bad wine, but it felt out of proportion.

Hi David,

There might be a reason why cellartrackers recommend

Drink between: 2027 - 2038

I once did infanticide to a KR Saumagen Kabinett trocken. It tasted only for wet stones. A couple of years later things had changed.

Winfried

[David M. Bueker]

Perhaps so, though I had not yet observed 2018s to be closing down.

From my limited experience KR wines are different. They do not seem to have a youth. Poor guys

The guy who sold me the Saumagen Kabinett, an experienced winelover, seemed to be shocked when he heard that I immediately tried one.

win_fried

[David M. Bueker]

I only recently gained access to the K-R Auslese Trocken wines. So far a 2011 was more advanced than expected but still delicious (just seemed much older), and the 2018 potentially closed. Looks like a pretty narrow window so far!

Mmmh,

I have the 2011 Auslese and a 2008 Spätlese R. I know that recent tastings of the R were disappointing (opinion: too early).
My riesling friends here gave me the idea, that KR wines are always drunk too young

Maybe I should try the 2011 within the next months.

Win_fried

Mmmh,

your note on cellartracker did not indicate to me that you considered the 2011 quite advanced ....

[David M. Bueker]

Mmmh,

your note on cellartracker did not indicate to me that you considered the 2011 quite advanced ....

For a 2011 to be developed enough to be showing its bones like that most certainly is early/advanced. FYI, I opened another bottle of the 2011 this weekend (not yet posted to CT) and it was completely dead.

I see.

I guess, when I open mine, I will have to post a tasting note.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Win_fried

[David M. Bueker]

Good luck!