2021 and 2019 Mosbacher Ungeheuer Riesling GG
Both wines showed the tropical leafy side of Pfalz flavors, which is not my favorite, although it came across better (for my tastes) in the 2019. The 2021 was showing broader and with more rs than I wanted, and I didn’t love the flavors. That’s not a knock on the quality, just personal preferences. The 2019 had a more enjoyable combination of savory yeasty golden midpalate, that had filled in and firmed up better, while also retaining crisp mineral focus. Maybe the 2021 will get there in a few years?
2021 and 2019 Heymann-Löwenstein Röttgen Riesling GG
Here we have the reverse, as I most definitely preferred the 2021. But, not sure if that was ‘bad luck’. Because my bottle of the 2019 was stinky and reduced for well over 24 hours. The structure of the wine was a lovely middle-weight riesling with good fruit in the middle and nice focus. But the flavors were coiled and unfriendly. Strange because cellartracker notes suggest the 2019 has recently been gushing actual fruit flavors. I guess bottles will vary, but wouldn’t have expected reduction to vary so widely like that? (And no it was not corked, these are screwcap)
On the other hand, the 2021 was lovely. Sweet succulent golden and juicy, but also lipsmacking tart and herbal. Fresh, focused, with drive and elegance. It’s a very nice combination and I really like this interpretation of Mosel wine. I wouldn’t say HL is my favorite producer, but I don’t know of anything else close to this style, so I appreciate having a diversity of expressions.