WTN: 2001 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese

[David M. Bueker]

2001 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese - Germany, Nahe (5/5/2007)
I thought my note of the 2005 Prum spatlese had exhausted my hyperbole resevoir, but this auslese filled it right back up again. From the first sniff, the first sip, it is obvious that this is amazing wine. Sweet herbs, stones, ripe peaches, pears and apples all come out of hte glass in wave after wave. Just stunning, and a wine that never need touch the lips to affirm its fundamental greatness, but once it does there is even more proof. All the flavors of the rainbow, and a sheer drinkability that, for me, takes it past all but the greatest of true dessert wines. Even the Donnhoff Brucke Eiswein, iconic as it is, does not eclipse this for me. The Eiswein is fantastic, but its intensity takes it away from the sheer bliss of the Hermannshohle auslese. Each sip of the auslese is like the first, and the depth and breadth of the flavors is beyond anything that can be imagined. This is still almost painfully young, but already showing stunning flavor complexity without the patina of age. One can only imagine what will happen in three or four more years when the secondaries begin to impart their subtle influences upon this gorgeous flower.

Hermann himself considers this the best of his 2001 Auslese.

[David M. Bueker]

So you were able to discuss this wine with him? I was there for the 2002 vintage, and by that time he only had the AP#18 '01 Hermannshohle for sale at the cellar door (can you believe he had any in fall 2003???). I bought one bottle to compare side by side with the Ap#17 (the one in my note).

David,
Very encouraging.
Its on the wine list at a restaurant I'm going to eat at on May 8th so I will give it a try.
Best, Jim

[David M. Bueker]

I will be eager to read your impressions of the wine Jim.

So you were able to discuss this wine with him? I was there for the 2002 vintage, and by that time he only had the AP#18 '01 Hermannshohle for sale at the cellar door (can you believe he had any in fall 2003???). I bought one bottle to compare side by side with the Ap#17 (the one in my note).

Yes. I was lucky enough to visit in 2002 before most of the press was released about his 01's. Unfortunately, I was traveling light and could only get a case total. Otherwise I'd have gotten a case of each wine he had! Talk about tough decisions! When he saw my indecision with the ausleses, he talked about the various ones. Ended up getting the Brucke Spatlese, the Hermannshohle Auslese, and the Brucke Eiswein.

[David M. Bueker]

Ended up getting the Brucke Spatlese, the Hermannshohle Auslese, and the Brucke Eiswein.

Well chosen. The Brucke spatlese is my favorite of his spatlesen for aging. The Eiswein is, well, a legend, though I think the Auslese is well more than half way there at 1/5 the price.