A tasting of German Rieslings (with a single Pinot Blanc interloper) from the cellars of Downing College, Cambridge led by Mr Richard Stibbs, President & Fellow Steward. This tasting was part of the Cambridge University Alumni Weekend, 21-23 September 2012. Very brief notes on some of these, was rather busy opening bottles and serving the wines.
2005 Schloss Sarstein Pinot Blanc
A-
Aromatic nose filled with lychee and guava, theres a sweet, tropical element to this. On the palate, its gently off dry; sweet apples and guava dominating, gentle acidity; theres a richness on the mid palate, quite generous mouthfeel, the wine has filled out nicely with age. Very attractive style, drinking nicely now.
2006 Munsterer Rheinberg Riesling Auslese, Weingut Gottelmann
A-
Forward nose - honey, acacia, sweet waxy oranges, some tropical notes as well as a hint of kerosene / petrol; quite pretty. Nice richness and generosity on the palate again, its off dry, with notes of candied orange peel and sweet clementines; plenty of sweet citrus fruit with balancing acidity. Characteristic Nahe richness, its lush and incredibly poised; joy to drink.
2001 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Weingut Max Ferd. Richter
B+
Clean nose, mostly waxy lemons with a touch of kerosene. Palate is more than off dry, but lacks richness or weight; good fruit but isnt showing brightly; felt a bit light and flabby compared to the Kabinett.
2001 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Max Ferd. Richter
B+
Nose is bright, zesty limes and citrus notes, theres an air freshener quality to this, lively stuff. Focused, rapier like acidity showing; zesty fruit, so much acidity here its like sucking on ripe lemons; feels a tad narrow and one dimensional but by God is it lively.
2002 Oestrich Lenchen Kabinett, Peter Jakob Kuhn Rheingau Riesling
B-
Nose is muted, as is the palate; fruit isnt showing at all well, its the dullest of the lot today; dodgy bottle?
2003 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Weingut Max Ferd. Richter
B+
Lime zest and kerosene dominates, shows it has developed with age; its overtly quite sweet on the nose. Palate is generous, plenty of fruit which coats the midpalate; lovely flavours, showing good balance and not tiring, another keeper.
2003 Riesling Spatlese Serriger Schloss Saarstein
B+
Waxy lemons, with some kerosene touches, and lime zest too; lively nose. Citrus dominates on the palate, nice concentration of flavours just a bit short on the finish. Nicely balanced, will keep for a while yet.
2005 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg
A-
Beautiful aromatics, the rinds of lemon and sweet oranges, hints of sweetness there too; its a bold nose, yet delicate at the same time. Sweet oranges on the palate, plenty of primary fruit and acidity; it feels focused, with concentrated flavours that linger. Great balance, its a perfectly poised wine. My favourite of the day.
2003 Oestrich Lenchen Riesling Auslese, Peter Jakob Kuhn
B+
Half bottles in a crown (beer) cap - must admit I've never seen a German Pradikatswein under crown cap before. Amber gold with shimmering copper in colour, it flows rather reluctantly; acacia honey, fudge and caramel on the nose. On the palate, its thick and weighty, really sits on the palate, revealing its honeyed richness, its like drinking slightly diluted honey; acidity is still there but drowned by the 150-200 g/l or so of residual sugar left in, I've had Beerenausleses lighter than this. Bit too heavy for my liking, lacks balance.
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