Friday, February 28, 2020

Germany’s 21 Top (5/5) Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker 2019/20

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Amei Prüm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Der Feinschmecker, the leading German wine and food journal, presented its new ranking of the German wine scene. The Feinschmecker awarded xxx winemakers in Germany 5 F's, its top ranking.

For previous years see:

Germany’s Top 21 Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker 2018/2019
Germany’s Top 19 Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2017/2018
Germany’s Top 22 Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker 2016/2017
Germany’s Top 20 Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2015
Germany’s Top 19 Winemakers - Der Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2014
Germany's Top 18 Winemakers - Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2013
Germany's Top 16 Winemakers - Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2012
Germany's Top 16 Winemakers - Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2011
Germany's 15 Top Winemakers - The Feinschmecker WeinGuide 2010

Top 21 Winemakers

Here are those winemakers that got the maximum number of 5 F's, grouped by wine region.

Overall. the number did not change. But Weingut Kartäuserhof (Mosel) and Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt (Mosel) lost their position in the top group and Weingut Eva Fricke (Rheingau) and Gut Hermannsberg (Nahe) were promoted to the 5 star/ F category.

AHR

Meyer-Näkel

Weingut Meyer-Näkel
Friedensstr. 15
53507 Dernau
Deutschland
+49 (0) 2643 1628
www.meyer-naekel.de
23 hectares
185.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Werner Näkel has earned a great reputation with his wines: opulent yet concentrated wines made him a pioneer of the Ahr Region and raised him to the international stage. But the family does not rest on these laurels. The siblings Dörte and Meike Näkel now run the business. The current vintage is fantastic, it shines with subtle beauty and restraint. Velvety and silky go hand in hand with juicy and beautiful, you want to smell, drink and start again. Pure drinking flow. The refreshing citrus fruit on the palate of the Blanc de Noir is not even noticeable in the 2018 hot vintage. The Blauschiefer is a great wine for the price, with nice juiciness. The Grauwacke is herbal and has a complex structure, subtle fruit. The density of the Kräuterberg indicates that this wine still needs time. The Sonnenberg GG already shines with an almost perfect slim elegance and vibrating acidity.

Illusion Spätburgunder Blanc de Noir: 12,50 €
Blauschiefer Spätburgunder: 21,00 €
Sonnenberg Spätburgunder GG: 45,00 €

Pictures: Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Weingut Meyer-Näkel in Dernau, Ahr, with Dörte Näkel – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Jean Stodden

Weingut Jean Stodden
Rotweinstr 7-9
53506 Rech
Deutschland
+49 (0) 2643 3001
stodden.de
9 hectares
55.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: The wines of winemaker Alexander Stodden have long been known for their remarkable restraint, they are quiet but very elegant. This effect was intensified in the 2017 vintage. Stodden, who has always had a penchant for French flair, builds exceptionally balanced wines that seduce with structure rather than fruit. For this, his bottles need rest and time to develop their full finesse. The reward for waiting: a fluid, unmistakable embodiment of Stodden's incredible precision in the vineyard and cellar. His Sonnenberg GG is straightforward and fine, with a depth and aromas that merge into an almost endless finale; the Herrenberg GG is rather playful, with a lively acidity and bright red fruits, which are surrounded by a deep, delicate network of tannins. Make room in the cellar for these GGs and enjoy the expressive charm of the Frühburgunder while you wait.

Herrenberg Spätburgunder GG: 75,00 €
Sonnenberg Spätburgunder GG: 55,00 €
Herrenberg Frühburgunder GG: 39,00 €

Pictures: Tasting with Alexander Stodden, Weingut Jean Stodden, Ahr. See: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Jean Stodden, Ahr, with Alexander Stodden - Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTour

BADEN

Bernhard Huber

Weingut Bernhard Huber
Heimbacher Weg 19
79364 Malterdingen
Deutschland
+49 (0) 7644 9297220
weingut-huber.com
28 hectares
155.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: That Julian Huber's GG belongs to the best Pinot Noirs in Germany is well known by now. Julian Huber has changed the style of Weingut Bernhard Huber quit a bit. The collection has become smaller, more focused and a bit more delicate. The leap in quality is particularly large with the Chardonnay. Our favorite among Pinot Noirs this year is the Große Gewächs from the Malterdinger Bienenberg, because it is already very accessible: a little sweet fruit on the nose, dark fruits on the palate, fresh acidity, round. We don't reveal any secret. But we are also convinced by Julian Huber's basic wines. The Malterdinger Pinot Noir offers a lot of wine in a glass for 18 Euros and bears the elegant handwriting of the big brothers. And as already mentioned, you should now stock up a bit with Chardonnay. For example with the representative of the Alte Reben - he takes us to Burgundy. The nose smoky-flinty, cactus, fascinating. Still young, extremely fresh acid. Keep going!

Malterdinger Spätburgunder: 18,00 €
Malterdinger Bienenberg Spätburgunder: 45,00 €
Malterdinger Alte Reben Chardonnay: 30,00 €

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser and Julian Huber – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Dinner with Sebastian Fürst and Julian Huber. See: Winemaker Dinner with Chef/ King of Spices Ingo Holland and Sebastian Fürst (Weingut Rudolf Fürst, Franken), Julian Huber (Weingut Bernhard Huber, Baden) and Jérôme Legras (Champagne Legras & Haas)

FRANKEN

Rudolf Fürst

Weingut Rudolf Fürst
Hohenlindenweg 46
63927 Bürgstadt
Deutschland
+49 (0) 9371 8642
21 hectares
120.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Only 21 wineries have been awarded 5 stars: everything has to be right. The entry-level is represented by the Pinot Blanc pur mineral: straightforward, slim and yet rich in discovery - a slight hint of flint in the bouquet, mineral on the palate, subtle in the fruit, slim, with a tickling, dynamic acidity. At the top, the winery must have a unique selling point; at Fürst, the Spätburgunder and Frühburgunder wines are deeply elegant - like the 2017 Pinot Noir from the Hundsrück vineyard: it is still young, you need patience, but then it is incredibly complex, cool, spicy, with almost ethereal density on the palate, plus good tannins. The Burgstädter Berg from the Erste Lage vineyard is somewhat more accessible. If there is still a Chardonnay with impressive elegance and clarity in the glass, you know: Here you are at Germany's top level.

Astheimer Chardonnay: 25,00 €
Weisser Burgunder pur mineral VDP. Gutswein: 14,50 €
Bürgstadter Berg Spätburgunder VDP. Erste Lage: 32,00 €

Pictures:Paul Fürst, Annette Schiller, Sebastian Fürst and Christian Schiller at Weingut Rudolf Fürst. See: Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: Joel B. Payne and Sebastian Fürst at the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Award Ceremony. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

Pictures: Winemaker Dinner with Sebastian Fürst, Weingut Fürst, Franken, at Schaumahl, Offenbach/ Frankfurt, 16 Points Gault Millau, Germany

Horst Sauer

Weingut Horst Sauer
Bocksbeutelstr. 14
97332 Volkach
Deutschland
+49 (0) 9381 4364
www.weingut-horst-sauer.de
20 hectares
170.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Horst Sauer cultivates around 20 hectares, jointly with his daughter Sandra. When young, Silvaner and Riesling are characterized by a demanding, sometimes bitter acidity that makes these wines so lively. The sweet wines from the estate in Escherndorf are great this year. The Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese from the top location Escherndorfer Lump is full of energy, clean and clear in the fruit: With the very good grapes, this wine should keep its freshness for decades. The Silvaner from the Lump is dense, complex and long. We are always pleased with the quality of the estate, the independent character of the wines and the versatility of Riesling and Silvaner from dry to noble sweet.

Escherndorf am Lumpen Silvaner GG: 27,00 €
Escherndorfer Lump Riesling S trocken: 13,50 €
Escherndorfer Lump Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese: 70,00 €

Pictures: Vinyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Horst Sauer in Eschendorf, Franken, with Horst Sauer – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

HESSISCHE BERGSTRASSE

None

MITTELRHEIN

None

MOSEL

Fritz Haag

Weingut Fritz Haag
Dusemonderstr. 44
54472 Brauneberg
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6534 410
www.weingut-fritz-haag.de
24 hectares
170.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: This producer on the Middle Mosel has become known above all for its fruity-sweet wines, which have always been world-class. Nothing has changed to this day, but here too the dry Rieslings are on the rise. Trendy and in-demand wines of simple elegance, a bit trimmed to mainstream, but not the extraordinary class of the traditional Moselle style, which can only arise in this wine region. In 2018 Oliver Haag presented a respectable collection that undoubtedly also includes outstanding dry Rieslings. But we are still proven fans of his fruit-sweet specimens, which are perfectly balanced and show an amazing tension between fruit and acid. Wine to bite into, full of finesse and multi-faceted play within the crystal-clear aroma, plus a Riesling acidy of the finest, balanced and mature, invigorating and enormously refreshing. World class!

Brauneberger -J- Riesling trocken VDP.Ortswein: 15,50 €
Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett VDP.Große Lage: 12,80 €
Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese VDP.Große Lage: 23,50 €

Pictures: At Weingut Fritz Haag, with Oliver Haag. See: Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Dr. Loosen

Weingut Dr. Loosen
Johannishof 1
54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6531 3426
www.drloosen.de
55 hectares
400.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Ernst Loosen belongs to the absolute top producers in Germany and also convinces us year after year. These are characterful wines of an exceptional format. Above all, this constancy can be admired. The entry-level wines are accessible and harmonious, moving up the quality pyramid the complexity, depth and maturity of the wines increase. Ernst Loosen also has a strong presence worldwide, he exports to 80 countries and is an ambassador for German Riesling culture. The British wine critic Jancis Robinson expressly praised his commitment as being groundbreaking for the future of German wine abroad. The estates's success story is impressive. Ernst Loosen can look at a variety of world-famous locations: Erdener Prälat, Ürziger Würzgarten or Wehlener Sonnenuhr. This year's collection is also classic. The remaining fruity-sweet wines, from Kabinett to Auslese, are fantastic, full of play and harmony. The dry wines are getting better and better. We particularly like the Großer Gewächs Réserve line, wines that Ernst Loosen gives even more time in the bottle before they are sold.

Blauschiefer Riesling trocken: 12,00 €
Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Grosses Gewächs Alte Reben: 21,00 €
Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Grosses Gewächs Réserve Alte Reben: 50,00 €

Pictures: Ernst Loosen and Annette and Christian Schiller in Washington DC. See: The Dry and Ultra-premium Dry GG and GG Reserve Rieslings of Weingut Dr. Loosen – Ernie Loosen in Washington DC

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Middle Mosel, with Ernie Loosen- Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Joh. Jos. Prüm

Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm
Uferallee 19
54470 Bernkastel-Wehlen
Deutschland
+49 6531 3091
www.jjpruem.com
21 hectares
160.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: How do you deal with this when a winery has received the highest ratings and has been delivering outstanding quality for years and has become even better with the current vintage? This is the case at Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm. Manfred and Katharina Prüm are legends. Only Rieslings are produced at ths winery, all are not fully fermented so that the wines have residual sugar. The wines of Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm are famous worldwide for residual sugar. this. The wines, which already taste fantastic when young, only fully display their exceptional quality after a few years. They are extremely fine, of almost endless play and combine lightness and depth in impressive dimensions. Tasting the collection is always a highlight. In 2017, we were particularly impressed by the wines from the Graacher Himmelreich vineyard: the Spätlese full of excitement and delicately chiselled acid. The Auslese is tighter, with a little more fruit, very animating. The Goldkapsel Auslese goes one step further even.

Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese: 27,00 €
Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese: 33,50 €
Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel: 75,00 €

Picture: Annette Schiller and Manfred Prüm

Picture: Christian Schiller with Katharina Pruem at Wegmans in Virginia. See also: JJ Pruem Goes Supermarket: Meeting Katharina Pruem and Tasting the Incredible JJ Pruem Wines at Wegmans

Pictures: Tasting at the Legendary Weingut J.J. Prüm with Amei Prüm – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Jos. Jos. Prüm in Bernkastel-Wehlen, Mosel, with Amei Prüm - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Nik Weis - Sankt Urbans-Hof

Weingut Nik Weis - St. Urbans-Hof
Urbanusstr. 16
54340 Leiwen
Deutschland
+49 (0)6507 93770
www.nikweis.com
42 hectares
250.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Nik Weis is living proof that charismatic winemakers also produce charismatic wines. For many vintages, the stately winery has not only been offering quality continuity at the highest level, but also wines full of character that tell exciting stories: of perfectly ripe grapes, mineral-rich soils and almost perfect aging. The highlight of the 2018 collection are the fruity-sweet Kabinett wines, Spätlese and Auslese wines, which are wonderfully juicy and characterized by crystal-clear fruit, coupled with a racy acidity that guarantees enormous freshness. We were also impressed by the two Grosses Gewächs wines, powerful, dry Rieslings, which, despite their fullness and power, always are elegant and which show their true greatness in the maturing potential they have.

Goldtröpfchen Riesling VDP.Großes Gewächs: 34,00 €
Bockstein Kabinett Riesling VDP.Große Lage fruchtsüß: 16,80 €
Bockstein Spätlese Riesling VDP.Große Lage fruchtsüß: 27,50 €

Picture: Nik and Daniela Weis and Annette and Christian Schiller at Prowein 2014

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen, Mosel, with Nik Weis – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schloss Lieser - Thomas Haag

Weingut Schloss Lieser - Thomas Haag
Am Markt 1-5
54470 Lieser
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6531 6431
www.weingut-schloss-lieser.de
24 hectares.
140.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: There is no doubt that Thomas Haag's Grosses Gewächs wines are among the best in the region. Also in the current collection, the striking GG Riesling from the Niederberg Helden vineyard stands out: a strong, full-bodied wine with a dense, elegant fruit body, powerful on the palate and impressively long in the finish. But Thomas Haag can do it differently. His fruit-sweet Kabinett Riesling is of dance-like elegance, light-footed in its drinking flow, full of aromatics and accompanied by a fresh, polished acidity that is almost perfectly set. At the same high level, we tried outstanding Spätlese and Auslese wines, which are prime examples of the fruity-sweet style.

Niederberg Helden Großes Gewächs VDP. Große Lage: 29,50 €
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett VDP. Große Lage: 13,90 €
Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese VDP. Große Lage: 28,00 €

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Schloss Lieser in Lieser with Owner/ Winemaker Thomas Haag – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016

Picture: Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, and Christian Schiller in Mainz. See: Thomas Haag, Weingut Schloss Lieser, Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide Deutschland 2015

Picture: Annette Schiller, Thomas Haag with his Son (Weingut Schloss Lieser) and Stephen Bitterolf at the 2017 Rieslingfeier in NYC. See: The Annual "Slaughterhouse" Riesling Feast in New York: Rieslingfeier 2017, USA

NAHE

Dönnhoff

Weingut H. Dönnhoff
Bahnhofstr. 11
55585 Oberhausen
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6755 263
www.doennhoff.com
28 hectares
180.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: When it comes to perfect Rieslings, the name Dönnhoff must be mentioned. For years, this exceptional producers has stood for first-class wines that not only belong to the top at the top, but are also a figurehead for German Riesling worldwide. With the 2018 vintage, Cornelius Dönnhoff has once again set accents: his slim, extremely elegant wines shine with sparkling clean fruit, are perfectly balanced and get the right momentum from an imposing refreshing acidity to swing themselves into the highest spheres. Rieslings with wings - even the compact Grosses Gewächs wines have something of the playful elegance that characterizes all Dönnhoff wines. If residual sweetness comes into play, the Rieslings present themselves in a unique, partly exotic fruitiness, which leaves no doubt that they are also great Rieslings.

Tonschiefer Riesling trocken: 13,50 €
Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling trocken VDP. Erste Lage: 18,50 €
Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese: 25,00 €

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Dönnhoff, Oberhausen, Nahe. with Anne Dönnhoff - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Picture: Annette Schiller, Helmut Dönnhoff and daughter Christina Dönnhoff (Weingut Dönnhoff) and Didier Cuevlier (Chateau Leoville Poyferre) at Weingut Dr. Robert Weil

Pictures: Dönnhoff Hermann, Oberhausen (Nahe) - An Afternoon with Riesling Star Winemaker Helmut Doennhoff at Weingut Doennhoff in Oberhausen in the Nahe Valley, Germany

Emrich-Schönleber

Weingut Emrich-Schönleber
Soonwaldstr. 10a
55569 Monzingen
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6751 2733
www.emrich-schoenleber.de
20 hectares
140.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Frank Schönleber presented us with a great collection, his Rieslings and Burgundies from 2018 impressively show that great wines of international format can be made in the Nahe Region. Respect for this achievement of a young winemaker, which seamlessly ties in with the first-class wines of his father Werner. Frank Schönleber immerses the clean and fresh, aromatic fruit into the depths of his Rieslings and at the same time brings a dynamic touch to his wines from a gripping, extremely fine acidity. The current Pinot Blanc captivates with clear, subtly balanced fruit aromas that run through the entire, elegantly shaped drinking flow. This is how Weissburgunder works!

"Mineral" Riesling trocken: 14,90 €
"Halgans" Monzinger Riesling trocken: 21,00 €
Weißburgunder trocken: 9,90 €

Picture: Christian Schiller and Werner Schönleber, Weingut Emrich-Schönleber at the 2013 Riesling Gala at Kloster Eberbach, Germany

Pictures: At Weingut Emrich-Schönleber See: Germany-North Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential German Riesling and the Northernmost Pinot Noir

Gut Hermannsberg

Gut Hermannsberg
Ehemalige Weinbaudomäne 1
55585 Niederhausen
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6758 92500
www.gut-hermannsberg.de
30 hectares
250.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Pomoted! This year, the entire collection presented was of such an exceptional class that we give the highest mark and congratulate the whole team. We were able to try Rieslings, starting with an uncomplicated Gutswein, that were bursting with elegance, were very fine and graceful, and brought a beguiling sheen into the glass with a very subtle and varied fruit. The retasted Grosses Gewächs wines from the previous year also showed themselves cheerfully present and complex, no trace of fatigue, but an amazing freshness packed in a compact fruit body. This is great! The “7 Terroirs” is one of the best estate wines in the price range that we tasted from the 2018 vintage.

7Terroirs, Riesling trocken, VDP.Gutswein: 11,90 €
Steinterrassen Riesling, Riesling trocken, Selektion aus Großen Lagen: 19,90 €
Hermannsberg Riesling GG, Niederhausen, Riesling trocken, VDP.Großes Gewächs: 42,00 €

Pictures: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Gut Hermannsberg in Niederhausen, Nahe – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schäfer-Fröhlich

Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich
Schulstr. 6
55595 Bockenau
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6758 6521
www.weingut-schaefer-froehlich.de
22 hectares
130.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Tim Fröhlich has long been one of the exceptional winemakers in the Nahe Region. In addition to his first class Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, it is above all the Rieslings that year after year undisputedly justify his place in the top group of winemakers in the region. Always equipped with fine, but distinct mineral notes, the Rieslings present themselves in top form in 2018 and show how a multi-layered fruit is balanced with sweetness and acidity in such a way that a perfectly harmonious taste is created in the end. The 2018 Pinot Blanc wines are also top class: fine-fruity wines with long-lasting floral notes that are characterized by a captivating elegance.

Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling GG trocken: 50,00 €
Weisser Burgunder 'S' trocken: 15,50 €
Bockenauer Schiefergestein Riesling trocken: 18,90 €

Picture: Christian Schiller and Tim Fröhlich in Wiesbaden

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Schäfer-Fröhlich in Bockenau, Nahe - Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

PFALZ

Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan

Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan
Kirchgasse 10
67146 Deidesheim
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6326 6006
www.bassermann-jordan.de
49 hectares
275.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: While other wineries are stirring the marketing drum and trying to underpin their wines with a lot of talk, you hear nothing from Gunther Hauck and Ulrich Mell. The two Palatinates simply do their job and let the wines speak for themselves. And they are outstanding in 2018, all of them remarkable works of art. Despite all the depth in which the sparkling clean fruit is immersed, the Rieslings never lose their captivating elegance, which applies to all wines of the winery. The Riesling Auslese from the Forster Ungeheuer is an exciting wine with a perfect fruit-acid play, which only wnemaker Ulrich Mell can probably get in the Mittelhardt.

Forst Riesling Trocken VDP.Ortswein: 14,00 €
Jesuitengarten Riesling GG VDP.Grosse Lage: 45,00 €
Forster Ungeheuer Riesling Auslese VDP.Grosse Lage: 25,00 €

Pictures: At Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan. See: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Geheimer Rat Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan in Deidesheim with General Manager Gunther Hauck – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Knipser

Weingut Knipser
Hauptstr. 47-49
67229 Laumersheim
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6238 742
www.weingut-knipser.de
80 hectares
500.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: The renowned family-run estate is very far ahead with its wines in the Pfalz. It almost is a routine, for many years Laumersheimer wines have been of a special class, the name Knipser has long been a trademark and a seal of quality at the highest level in the German wine scene. From the 2018 vintage, we were unfortunately only able to try the Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that scratches the “world class” level. The powerful Rieslings from 2017 show only a few aging notes, but are in top form as are the fine Pinot Noirs, which, with their captivating elegance and Bourgogne depth, show what German red wine can do if it gets into the right hands. Simply great!

Sauvignon Blanc: 9,80 €
Riesling "Kalkmergel": 12,40 €
Spätburgunder RdP: 98,00 €

Picture: Stephan Knipser, Sebastian Fürst and Christian Schiller at the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Award Ceremony. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany  

RHEINGAU

Künstler

Weingut Künstler
Geheimrat-Hummel-Platz 1a
65239 Hochheim am Main
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6146 8386-0
www.weingut-kuenstler.de
50 hectares
350.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: The estate run by Gunter Künstler is one of the most diverse in the Rheingau: the grape variety portfolio offers more than Riesling and Pinot Noir, and the vineyards are spread over the entire Rheingau region. The estate itself is a little out of the way in Hochheim am Main, just before the confluence with the Rhine. The winery's style has become a bit fuller and juicier, sometimes at the expense of finesse. Nevertheless, there are exciting and good wines here. The Chardonnay Barrique matures in the French Faa, has fine toasted notes and a vanilla nose, it is juicy and fresh on the palate, round and lush. The Riesling Weiss Erd shows the muscles mentioned and has a lot of potential. The Spätburgunder from the Höllenberg is classically elegant and a good ambassador for the vineyard.

Weiss Erd Riesling GG | VDP. Grose Lage: 26,00 €
Chardonnay trocken Barrique: 29,50 €
Höllenberg Spätburgunder GG | VDP. Grosse Lage: 55,00 €

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Gunter Kuenstler at Schloss Johnnisberg. Weingut Kuenstler was founded by the late Franz Kuenstler. We were both founding members of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim: The Wines of Franz Kuenstler from Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany

Pictures: At Weingut Künstler in Hochheim am Main, Rheingau, with Stefan Traub. See:Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Pictures: Annette Schiller and Gunter Künstler at Weingut Franz Künstler. See: 40th Anniversary of the Weinfreundeskreis Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany

Weingut Fricke

Weingut Eva Fricke
Elisabethenstr. 6
65343 Eltville
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6123 703658
www.evafricke.com
13 hectares
80.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Getting into the ranks of the 5 star producers is not easy: an individual style, continuous quality and a collection without outliers are the minimum requirements. Eva Fricke fulfilled them in our eyes. The winery is one of the most exciting in the region and one of the best in Germany. Eva Fricke is a classic newcomer. She had always wanted to make wine, but she had no family business or marked path. After graduating from gymnasium (Abitur) in Bremen, she found what she was looking for after a few stops in the Rheingau and bottled her first year of 0.24 hectares in 2006. Since then she has built a respectable winery out of nowhere: five employees, 13 hectares, export to 20 countries, ecological management. We are not only impressed by our career, but above all by her wines, which are very expressive, elegant and yet low in alcohol. It starts wth the entry-level, Rheingau Riesling, round from bouquet to finish, carried by the acid, ideally balanced. The wines all have a lot of strength with little alcohol. The Riesling Seligmacher is sensually almost dry, the subtle residual sweetness gives the wine just the right amount of play. Whether dry or sweet: big!

Rheingau Riesling QbA trocken: 12,50 €
Lorchhäuser Seligmacher Riesling QbA: 30,00 €
Kiedricher Klosterberg Riesling Spätlese: 25,00 €

Picture: Christian Schiller with Eva Fricke. See: Visiting Weingut Josef Leitz in Ruedesheim – Johannes Leitz is Germany’s Winemaker of the Year, Gault Millau WeinGuide 2011

Pictures: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2015, USA

Robert Weil

Weingut Robert Weil
Mühlberg 5
65399 Kiedrich
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6123 2308
www.weingut-robert-weil.com
90 hectares
650.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: Wilhelm Weil meticulously produces Riesling from his Kiedicher mountain vineyards at various predicate levels every year. The fact that he produces outstanding Kabinett wines as well as Trockenbeerenauslese wines makes him a top winemaker who is highly regarded worldwide for his Riesling. The wines are characterized by great aging potential. Just like the hochfine Auslese, which has already opened up quit a bit, but is made to last. The Riesling Gräfenberg is a bench, very fine, with a light aromas and radiant with a very subtle creaminess. There is a nice spice on the palate. This is great Riesling with an unbelievable number of facets. A tip: visit the winery. It is probably the only one with a chateau character: if you walk up the path to the vinotheque, you will see the old manor house on the left and the new building on the right.

Kiedricher Riesling Trocken VDP.Ortswein: 18,50 €
Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Trocken GG VDP.Grosse Lage: 42,90 €
Kiedrich Turmberg Riesling Auslese VDP.Erste lage: 41,75 €

Picture: Christian Schiller and Wilhelm Weil, Weingut Robert Weil, Tasting at Weingut Weil. See: Tasting with Wilhelm Weil the 2010 Weingut Weil Wines in Kiedrich, Germany

Pictures: Christian and Annette Schiller with Wilhelm Weil at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich

Pictures: Kiedrich: Visit of the Basilica of Saint Valentine and of Weingut Robert Weil - Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Robert Weil in Kiedrich, Rheingau, with Jan Christensen - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

RHEINHESSEN

Klaus Keller

Weingut Keller
Bahnhofstr. 1
67592 Flörsheim-Dalsheim
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6243 456
www.keller-wein.de
18 hectares.
100.000 bottles

Feinschmecker: That exceptional winemakers produce produce exceptional wines is obvious. If this happens regularly and for years without any dropouts, it is a special class in which only a few estates in the world operate. From this point of view, the Rieslings from Klaus-Peter Keller are once again at the highest level, you can't get more out of the grape variety with the best effort anywhere in the world. Pure elegance, fine fruit and a lively acidity - everything is ideally put together and well balanced, real Keller-Rieslings. But the current Scheurebe is also of exceptionally fruity brilliance and enormous juiciness that always makes you hungry for the next sip. The again tested Pinot Noir of 2016 is well developed and elegantly mature.

Scheurebe trocken: 9,80 €
Nierstein Riesling trocken: 39,00 €
Westhofen ABTS E Riesling trocken VDP. GG: 95,00 €

Picture: Annette Schiller, Julia and Klaus Peter Keller at the 2015 Rieslingfeier in New York, see: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2015, USA

Wittmann

Weingut Wittmann
Mainzer Str. 19
67593 Westhofen
Deutschland
+49 (0) 6244 905036
www.wittmannweingut.com
30 hectares

Feinschmecker: Philipp Wittmann has long been an established producer, who has catapulted the Rheinhessen Region into new spheres with his wines. He is also a co-initiator of a spirit of optimism in Rheinhessen, which has produced a whole range of talented and ambitious young winemakers. Undoubtedly, his 2018 wines are not only among the top of the Rheinhessen Region, but also among Germany's best wines. Above all, of course, Wittmann's exceptional Rieslings from the Morstein vineyard, aromatic works of art of bewitching elegance and with a remarkable freshness that also comes from the long, animating acidity. Even with the perfectly interpreted Scheurebe, the producer from Westhofen sets trends in the current vintage. When you find Grosses Gewächs on the label, there is also a great wine with first-class potential in the bottle.

Scheurebe trocken VDP. Gutswein: 12,40 €
NIERSTEINER Riesling VDP. Aus Ersten Lagen: 20,50 €
Westhofener Morstein Riesling trocken VDP. Grosses Gewächs: 56,50 €

Pictures: Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann, Weingut Wittmann, with Annette and Christian Schiller at Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting with Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Saale-Unstrut

None

Sachsen

None

Württemberg

None

schiller-wine: Related Postings

UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: November 1, 2019)

Announcement: Upcoming ombiasy Wine Tours 2020 - (1) Alsace and Germany South, (2) Rhône Valley, (3) Bordeaux

Annual Riesling Party at the Schiller Residence in Washington DC, USA (2019)