2012Â was a big year for Riesling submissions. I got a ton of them. As a matter of fact, this report is coming out in 2013 because I have been very busy covering so many Rieslings since last July. So finally, in this report, you will find some real gems which I am certain you will enjoy. You can also be rest assured that these are the best offerings that I have covered from what was once a very large sample base. With that background, let’s start discussing the winners.
The best Riesling that I came across this year was the 2011 Dr. Pauly Bergweiler “Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Spatlese.” I scored it 95 points and for $34, it is an absolute steal. Now the downside, there were only 300 cases made. This great wine is medium bodied, very well balanced, and pleasantly sweet. I loved its delicious mild peach and ripe apple flavors with nicely integrated hints of lychee and delicate minerality. The finish remains delicately sweet and sensuous. This Riesling is a perfect wine for a magical date with someone you really like. Start your search for this wine soon; it will not last on the market very long!
Bollig Lehnert did very well with us this year. Even though there was not much of this wine made, it is too good to ignore. The 2011 “Dhroner Hofberger Auslese” Riesling for $25 is an unbelievable deal for this 94 point knockout! This wine is light bodied, elegant, slightly sweet, and impressive. Its flavor profile is a delicious mild ripe Anjou pear with hints of pineapple, ginger and ripe red apple. If you want to serve a Riesling to impress someone, this one would really do the trick. Now call Lee and beg for a bottle or two as only 56 cases were made and less than that were imported.
The next 94 point winner comes from a new producer for me. The 2011 Schloss Saarstein “Serrig Schloss Saarsteiner Spatlese” Riesling for $38 is quite special. It opens with a fragrant and inviting ripe Bosc pear bouquet. On the palate, this wine is light bodied, refined and pleasantly sweet. We loved its delicious ripe peach flavors with notes of apple, fig and apricot. I also detected a hint of minerality. It is a pretty complex Riesling and I can tell you it did not last very long. The finish remains sweet and it's so refined. I would serve this classy Riesling with Asian dishes.
We close out our 94 pointers with another winner from Dr. Pauly Bergweiler. Their 2011 “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese” for $43 is Excellent! It is light bodied, nicely balanced, refined, and pleasantly sweet. Its flavor profile is a delicious mild lychee and gentle peach blend with a hint of pineapple. The finish is elegant and remains pleasantly sweet as it drifts away nicely. I would serve this gem with lemon meringue pie.
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler does not quite leave the podium and the next two 93 pointers are also from this great producer. Their 2011 “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese” for $33 is medium bodied, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. I enjoyed its tasty green apple and pineapple flavors with hints of tangerine, minerality and a touch of peach. Like the other wines from this producer, it is complex. I would serve this very yummy and pleasantly sweet Riesling with broiled scallops. Not to be left behind is the 2011 Dr. Pauly Bergweiler “Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Auslese.” This wine is a bit more refined and elegant. The flavor profile is a slightly sweet and delicious gentle apple and ripe pear blend with faint hints of minerality and a touch of tangerine. This wine would pair very well with one of my favorite meals. Lotus Blossom’s General Gau Chicken.
The next two 93 pointers also come from highly acclaimed producers. That said, readers frequently ask me who is the best Riesling producer in the Finger Lakes? My answer is Hermann J. Wiemer. Their 2010 “Magdalena Vineyard” Riesling is consistently one of the reasons I can confidently say that. This single vineyard offering is very limited and costs $36 per bottle. It is worth seeking out as it is always near the top of my Finger Lakes results. This year’s vintage is medium bodied, smooth and viscous. It displays delicious mild mineral infused gentle Anjou pear flavors with a hint of quince and tangerine. It finishes off-dry and would nicely complement pan seared scallops.
The last 93 pointer is the 2011 St. Urbans Hof “Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese” Riesling for $40. This wine is light bodied, pleasantly sweet and elegant. I really enjoyed its mild mineral infused red apple flavors with notes of tangerine. I also detected a touch of lime and quince. This is the first of many very good St. Urbans Hof 2011's that qualified this year. I would pair this elegant Riesling with broiled scallops.
We kick off our 92 pointers by returning to the Finger Lakes and presenting the 2011 Hermann Wiemer “Dry” Riesling. At $16 this top notch Dry Riesling is a steal. It comes across as light bodied, slightly acidic and pleasantly crisp. It displays a mouthwatering and tasty mild lime and lemon flavor profile with nicely integrated minerality. If you are looking for a refreshing and very food friendly wine, this would be a great choice. Serve it with chicken francaise.
The Bollig-Lehnert 2011 “Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese” Riesling for $21 is terrific and a great value. In the mouth, it is light bodied, silky, smooth and slightly sweet. I really enjoyed its very tasty mild apple flavors with a hint of ripe Bartlett pear and a touch of apricot towards the very end. It finishes pleasantly sweet and refined. I would pair this impressive Riesling with an assorted cheese platter to finish off a romantic evening.
Dr. H. Thanisch is another producer that also consistently comes in near the top. Their 2011 “Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett” Riesling for $24 is their top performer this year. This offering is medium bodied and very nicely balanced between its sweetness and acidity. I really liked its tasty mild pineapple flavors with hints of peach, lemon-lime and green tea. This Riesling is a very good drinking wine, so you could just serve this as your dessert. It is that good and enjoyable.
Our last two 92 pointers both come from Dr. Loosen. Their 2010 “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese” Riesling for $32 is medium to full-bodied and shows off rich ripe flavors with nicely integrated complementary acidity. The flavor profile is a very mild mineral infused ripe orange and pear blend. This offering would pair well with Thai food. Our next Dr. Loosen treat is the 2010 “Urziger Wurzgarden Auslese” Riesling for $64. This dessert styled wine is light bodied, slightly acidic, zippy and pretty sweet. It displays tasty ginger and ripe green apple flavors with hints of lime, bosc pear and a touch of minerality. The finish remains sweet and its impressive flavors linger for quite some time. I would pair this treat with pecan chicken.
Our 91 Pointers
Bollig Lehnert 2011 Riesling “Piesporter Goldtropfchen Kabinett” $18 (91)
This Kabinett finished in first place in our first blind flight of Rieslings at this level. It is light bodied and really nicely balanced between its acidity and fruit. It displays a gentle mineral infused light lemon flavors with a hint of green tea, Fuji apple, and grapefruit. It is a great deal at $18, but may be hard to find with only 220 cases made. Call your favorite retailer quickly before it disappears.
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2011 Riesling “Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett” $22 (91)
This Riesling is light bodied, mildly sweet, and also nicely balanced between its acidity and fruit. The flavor profile is a tasty ripe Bosc pear with notes of pineapple and mild minerality. It would be perfect with chicken lo-mein.
S.A. Prum 2010 Riesling “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese” (Mosel, Germany) $25 (91)
This Spatlese level Riesling is full bodied, very lively and displays lots of sweetness and acidity. It is rich and concentrated as well. The flavor profile is a ripe pear with notes of tangerine and mango. This Riesling would pair well with sliced green apples and assorted sharp cheeses.
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2011 Riesling “Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese” (Mosel, Germany) $30 (91)
This Riesling is medium bodied, crisp, acidic and displays a lot of ripe fruit. Those fruit flavors are Bartlett pear and ripe green apple. I also detect notes of nicely integrated minerality and ginger spice. The finish on this one remains sweet and its flavors linger for quite a while. It is even sweet enough to be a dessert wine.
S.A. Prum 2010 Riesling “Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese” (Mosel, Germany) $31 (91)
This Spatlese level offering from S.A. Prum, opens with an inviting sweet tea like bouquet with a hint of tangerine. It is light bodied, sweet and savory. The flavor profile is lemon with infused oolong tea and orange and a hint of thyme. This is a perfect sipping Riesling to serve with pan-fried scallops with balsamic glaze.
Dr. H. Thanisch 2011 Riesling “Bernkasteler Lay Auslese” (Mosel, Germany ) $39 (91)
Our last 91 pointer is an Auslese, that is medium bodied, slightly sweet and extremely easy to drink and enjoy. The flavor profile is a tasty orange with hints of lime and apple. This wine is rather quaffable. The danger is it comes in 375 ml bottle. So it won’t last long.
Our 90 Pointers
Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Riesling “Semi-Dry” (Finger Lakes, NY) $14 (90)
This semi-dry Riesling is light bodied and nicely balanced. Its pleasant light lemon-lime flavors with hints of green apple and honey are very nice. I would pair Riesling with a mixed cheese platter.
Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2011 Riesling “QbA Dry” (Rheinhessen) $19 (90)
If you are a fan of Dry Riesling, you are really going to enjoy this one. It is very food friendly and would be perfect with Coquilles St. Jacques. It is slightly acidic and leads with pleasant mineral infused Anjou pear flavors.
Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Riesling “Yellow Dog Vineyard” (F. Lakes) $20 (90)
This Finger Lakes Riesling is medium bodied, slightly acidic and mouthwatering. I liked its tasty mineral infused green apple flavors with notes tangerine. This Riesling is very quaffable. It will not last long.
Chehalem 2010 Riesling “Dry Reserve” (Willamette Valley, WA) $21 (90)
This dry Riesling from Oregon is initially crisp and displays lively flavors. It settles down nicely with some air. Those flavors are a mineral infused green apple and lime blend with hints of Anjou pear and pineapple.
St. Urbans Hof 2011 Riesling “Bockstein Ockfen Kabinett” (Mosel, Germany) $22 (90)
This Kabinett is light bodied and shows nice bright acidity. It is also quite mouthwatering. It displays tasty ripe clementine flavors with notes of green apple and mild minerality. Its sweet flavors linger nicely.
St. Urbans Hof 2011 Riesling “Piesport Goldtropfchen Kabinett” (Mosel, Germany) $25 (90)
This Kabinett level Riesling finished in 2nd place in our first blind flight. It is light bodied, mildly sweet and slightly acidic. It displays mineral infused gentle grapefruit flavors with hints of apricot, honey, and Earl Grey tea.
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2011 Riesling “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett” (Mosel, Germany) $26 (90)
This Riesling is medium bodied, citrusy, and vibrant. The panel liked the way the flavors changed and it exploded in their mouth. Those flavors were ripe limeade with hints of pineapple and honey with some mild mineral notes.
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2011 Riesling “Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Kabinett” $26 (90)
This Riesling is light bodied, slightly effervescent, zesty and mildly sweet. Its flavors are a gentle tangy tangerine with a hint of lime and peach. It would pair nicely with chicken lo mein or cashew chicken.
Dr. Loosen 2010 Riesling “Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese” (Mosel, Germany) $32 (90)
This Riesling is rather sweet, acidic, and viscous. The flavor profile is a mineral infused green apple jelly with hints of pineapple, quince and white pepper. This dessert styled Spatlese would pair well with sharp cheddar cheese and green apple slices.
St. Urbans Hof 2011 Riesling “Bockstein Ockfen Spatlese” (Mosel, Germany) $34 (90)
This Riesling is light bodied, slightly acidic and pleasantly sweet. The flavor profile is a mild tea with notes of tangerine and a hint of lime. It would pair well cinnamon sugar and walnuts appetizer treats.
Dr. H. Thanisch 2011 Riesling “Berncasteler Doctor Kabinett” (Mosel, Germany) $44 (90)
This Riesling from Germany will not last long once opened. It is light bodied, slightly effervescent and care free. I really enjoyed its slightly sweet apple flavors with hints of lemon and tea. It will be easily quaffed.
S.A. Prum 2010 Riesling “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Old Vines Dry GG” (Mosel, Germany) $47 (90)
If you like dry-styled Riesling this one is well made and will appeal to you. It is medium bodied, slightly acidic, mouthwatering and fruit forward with honeyed green apple flavors with hints of apricot, white pepper, and minerality.
Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt 2010 “Josephshofer GG” (Germany) $55 (90)
Here is another really good dry Riesling. It is light bodied, balanced, and approachable. Its flavor profile is a mineral infused green apple with a hint of white pepper and lime. Pair with bacon wrapped scallops.
S.A. Prum 2009 Riesling “Graacher Dompropst GG” (Mosel, Germany) $70 (90)
Our final 90 pointer is also a dry Riesling. It is medium bodied, slightly acidic and round in the mouth. This one displays slightly tart green apple flavors with notes of minerality and just a hint of caramel, lemon, and honey.
The Best of the Rest — All Very Good Wines
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2011 Riesling “Semi-Dry” (Finger Lakes, NY) $15 (89)
Dr. Loosen 2010 Riesling “Red Slate Dry” (Mosel, Germany) $16 (89)
Baron Knyphausen 2011 Riesling “Baron K Kabinett” (Rheingau) $17 (89)
St. Urbans Hof 2011 Riesling “From Old Vines” (Mosel, Germany) $17 (89)
Bollig Lehnert 2011 Riesling “Trittenheimer Apotheke Kabinett” $18 (89)
Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Riesling “Red Oak Vineyard” (Finger Lakes) $20 (89)
Dr. Loosen 2010 Riesling “Blue Slate Kabinett” (Mosel, Germany) $22 (89)
S.A. Prum 2010 Riesling “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett” (Mosel) $25 (89)
Lamoreaux Landing 2009 Riesling “Reserve” (Finger Lakes, NY) $25 (89)
Dr. Loosen 2010 Riesling “Bernkasteler Lay Kabinett” (Mosel) $26 (89)
S.A. Prum 2010 Riesling “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese” (Mosel) $40 (89)
Valckenberg 2011 Riesling “Undone Dry Riesling” (Rheinhessen) $9 (88)
Dr. Loosen 2011 Riesling “Dr. L” (Mosel, Germany) $12 (88)
Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Riesling “Dry” (Finger Lakes, NY) $14 (88)
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2011 Riesling “Dry” (Finger Lakes, NY) $15 (88)
Dr. Pauly Bergweiler 2011 Riesling “Wehlener Klosterberg Halfdry” (Mosel) $17 (88)
S.A. Prum 2010 Riesling “Prum Blue Kabinett” (Mosel, Germany) $19 (88)
Dr. Loosen 2010 Riesling “Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett” (Mosel, Germany) $26 (88)
Airfield Estates 2011 Riesling (Yakima Valley, WA) $15 (87)
I hope you enjoy these Rieslings as much as we did. If you find others that you love, please feel free post them in the comments section and share them with the other readers. Cheers – Ken