Best South African Wines and Winemakers - Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2016

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with Ntsiki Biyela at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch – South Africa’s Only Female and Black Winemaker with International Recognition

For more, see:
Meeting Ntsiki Biyela at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch – South Africa’s Only Female and Black Winemaker with International Recognitio

The undisputed authority in terms of South African wine is the Platter's South African Wine Guide. The 2016 Platter's South African Wine Guide was just released.

For Platters of previous years, see:
South Africa’s Top Wines - Platter´s South Africa Wine Guide 2015
Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2014
Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2013
South Africa’s Top Wines - Platter´s South Africa Wine Guide 2012
Platter´s South Africa Wine Guide 2011

Modern South Africa

I have traveled in South Africa many times in the past 3 decades, in particular during the period 1989 to 1992, when I used to live in Madagascar. When traveling in South Africa today, it quickly becomes evident that apartheid is resting in the dustbin of history. South Africa’s current President is the Zulu Jakob Zuma, who is mired in personal and political controversy. The Txosa Nelson Mandela, who had spent more than 25 years in prison during apartheid, was President in the 1990s. The gap between the haves and have-nots continues to be wide, but is narrowing and a black middle class is emerging. This, however, is not so much evident in the wine region, which continues to be dominated by the whites. 99% of the vineyard area is in the hands of whites. The AIDS pandemic is taking a toll with the HIV infection rate at about 10 percent, though declining.

Over the course of the years, I have detected an increasing openness, pride and camaraderie among all the South Africans – white, colored or black, Boers or Brits; Indians, Jews, Zulus, Txosas or Vendas, I met. Nevertheless, this rainbow society with a share of 75% of blacks, has huge challenges to cope with.

Picture: Christian Schiller at Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg

South African Wine Industry

Unlike other New World wine regions, the South African wine industry is strongly influenced by several large wine-cooperatives, including Distel and KWV; in total, there about 60 co-operatives. In addition, there are about 25 trading companies, or negociants, which often operate wineries, but seldom own their own vineyards. Among these are SAVISA, Winecorp, Stellenbosch Vineyards and Graham Beck; Western Wines is among the trading companies that are foreign based and owned; their brand Kumala is by far South Africa’s biggest brand. Over 80% of the total crop is delivered to these large wineries by about 4000 wine growers. However, private wineries have increasingly emerged and seen an impressive growth; there are now about 600 winemakers with their own cellars, most of them in the premium wine segment.

More than half of the total production is exported. The previous Cape powers, the UK and Netherlands, are traditionally the main destinations for wines shipments; but other markets are coming up, including Sweden, Denmark, the USA, Germany and Angola.

The wine industry is firmly in the hands of the whites, both white South Africans and foreign investors. But I had the pleasure to meet Ntsiki Biyela, a female black winemaker, who is producing outstanding wines at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch.

Picture: Christian Schiller with Anthony Hamilton Russell of Hamilton Russell Vineyards

For more, see:
Burgundy Wines in South Africa: Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2016

The Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide 2016 was launched at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel on 29 October 2015.

The guide’s ultimate accolade, Winery of the Year, this year went to Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. The Swartland-based winery thereby became the first to scoop the award twice within a handful of years, having been named Platter’s Winery of the Year in 2014.

Even more remarkably, both the prestigious Red Wine of the Year and new Dessert Wine of the Year awards also went to Mullineux & Leeu, for their site-specific Iron Syrah 2013 and debut solera-matured Olerasay Straw Wine NV respectively. To cap a stellar performance, the Mullineux team garnered three further five star ratings.

Stellenbosch family estate Warwick scooped the White Wine of the Year plaudit for The White Lady Chardonnay 2014.

A total of 83 five star wines, as well as three new five star brandies and one new five star husk spirit are featured in the 2016 guide. Publisher of Platter’s, Jean-Pierre Rossouw, says: “This year, all wines that were scored 4.5 stars or higher in the primary assessment went into a second round of tasting, conducted blind (without sight of the label) by small panels including experienced palates from outside the team.”

Emerging from this thorough review process with their first ever five star ratings were the following 16 producers: Anura, Beeslaar, Bloemendal, Constantia Glen, Eenzaamheid, GlenWood, Guardian Peak, Keermont, La Couronne, Leeuwenkuil, Luddite, MVH Signature Wines, Savage Wines, Vondeling, Vuurberg and Waterkloof.

Also worthy of note are 4 five star awards for Spier, and 3 five star ratings each for David & Nadia Sadie and Newton Johnson Family Vineyards.

Debuting in 1980, Platter’s by Diners Club is South Africa’s first and still leading wine annual, with total hardcover sales of well over 1.4 million copies, plus more recent digital versions for mobile and desktop devices. The 2016 edition follows the popular and award-winning Platter’s format, with more than 900 South African wine producers, merchants and brands being featured, including some 50 new ones, along with over 8,000 locally produced wines.

The guide’s wine descriptions and star ratings are compiled in association with a team of leading wine experts, and include good-value indicators and pointers to Hidden Gems – wines that are interesting, unique, unusual or otherwise worthy of wine lovers’ attention. Wine-lands dining, accommodation and cellar door tasting options are also covered in detail, along with the full spectrum of tourist amenities, attractions and activities.

The five star wines for 2016 are:

Cabernet Franc

Chamonix 2013

Cabernet Sauvignon

Delaire Graff Laurence Graff Reserve 2012
Guardian Peak Lapa 2013
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection 2012

Cinsaut

AA Badenhorst Ramnasgras 2014

Grenache Noir

David & Nadia Sadie 2014

Pinotage

Beeslaar 2013
Rijk's Reserve 2011
Spier 21 Gables 2013
Windmeul Reserve 2014

Pinot Noir

Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak 2013
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards 2014

Shiraz/Syrah

Bellingham Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2013
Eagles' Nest Shiraz 2012
Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah 2013
Mullineux Iron Syrah 2013
Reyneke Syrah 2013
Richard Kershaw Clonal Selections Elgin Syrah 2013

Red Blends

AA Badenhorst Red 2013
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2013
Ernie Els CWG Auction Reserve 2013
Fleur du Cap Laszlo 2012
Haskell IV 2010
Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2012
Luddite Saboteur 2012
Meerlust Rubicon 2010
Miles Mossop Max 2012
Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2013
Mvemve Raats MR de Compostella 2013
Nico van der Merwe Mas Nicolas Cape 2013
Savage Wines CWG Auction Reserve Follow the Line 2013
Spier CWG Auction Reserve Frans K Smit 2011
The Winery of Good Hope Radford Dale Black Rock 2013
Vondeling Erica 2012
Vuurberg Reserve 2012

Chardonnay

Buitenverwachting 2014
Dorrance Cuvée Anaïs 2014
GlenWood Grand Duc 2013
Graham Beck Lonehill 2014
Haskell Anvil 2014
MVH Signature 2014
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards 2014
Paul Cluver Seven Flags 2014
Sterhuis Barrel Selection 2013
Sumaridge 2013
Warwick The White Lady Chardonnay 2014

Chenin Blanc

Botanica Mary Delany 2014
David & Nadia Sadie Hoë-Steen 2014
Eenzaamheid 2013
Kaapzicht The 1947 2014
Keermont Riverside 2014
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve 2014
Mullineux Granite 2014

Roussanne

Bellingham Bernard Series Whole Bunch 2015

Sauvignon Blanc

Cederberg David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner 2014
Nederburg The Young Airhawk 2014
Neil Ellis Groenekloof 2015
Spier 21 Gables 2014

Semillon

Constantia Uitsig 2014
Mullineux CWG Auction Reserve The Gris 2014

Viognier

The Foundry 2014

White Blends

Bloemendal Kanonberg 2014
Cape Point CWG Auction Reserve White 2014
Constantia Glen Two 2014
Constantia Uitsig Natura Vista 2014
David & Nadia Sadie Aristargos 2014
Mullineux White Blend 2014
Newton Johnson Resonance 2014
Nitida Coronata Integration 2014
Oak Valley Mountain Reserve White Blend 2011
Sadie ‘T Voetpad 2014
Spier Creative Block 2 2014
Waterkloof Circle of Life White 2013

Méthode Cap Classique

Anura Brut 2011
Cederberg Blanc de Blancs Brut 2010

Dessert Wine, Unfortified

Miles Mossop Kika Noble Late Harvest 2014
Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2014
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet 2011
Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV

Dessert Wine, Fortified

La Couronne Muscadel NV
Boplaas Heritage Reserve White Muscadel 2012

Port-Style

Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve 2012
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2013

Brandy/Husk Spirit

Dalla Cia 10 Year Old Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Husk Spirit
KWV 10 Year Old Vintage
KWV Nexus
Van Ryn 15 Year Fine Cask Reserve

Wines & Winery of the Year are:

White Wine of the Year: Warwick The White Lady Chardonnay 2014

Dessert Wine of the Year: Mullineux Olerasay Straw Wine NV

Red Wine of the Year: Mullineux Iron Syrah 2013

Winery of the Year: Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

schiller-wine: Related Postings

In the Plane: Wine on South African Airways from Johannesburg to Livingstone in Zambia (Victoria Falls)

New World Wine Producer South Africa

Boekenhoutskloof – Producer of Sensational Premium Wines as well as Good Value Table Wines in Franschhoek

Lunch with Raphael Dornier in Stellenbosch

Burgundy Wines in South Africa: Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Devon Rocks - A Boutique Producer of Pinotage in South Africa

Wining, Dining and Relaxing with the Chocolate/Coffee Pinotage at Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate in Wellington, South Africa

In the Glass: A Rust en Vrede 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon With South African Oysters in Stellenbosch

Marianne Wine Estate: South African Wine with a French Soul

Meeting Ntsiki Biyela at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch – South Africa’s Only Female and Black Winemaker with International Recognition

Wine, Art and Food: Donald Hess’ Glen Carlou Estate in South Africa

Riesling in South Africa

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: Tasting with Fritz Keller at Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Baden

During the Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015), we had two long luncheons at 1 star Michelin restaurants: at Röttele's Restaurant im Schloss Neuweier in Neuweier and at the legendary Restaurant Schwarzer Adler of Fritz Keller in Oberbergen. As to the former, I already reported about the spectacular luncheon cum winetasting here: Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier - German South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)

Before the luncheon at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler in Oberbergen, we toured his new winery.

This posting focuses on Weingut Franz Keller. A posting covering the luncheon at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler will follow.

Fritz Keller greeted us.

The Fritz Keller Empire

The founder of the Keller Empire is the late Franz Keller. Franz Keller (1927 – 2007) probably was Germany’s most important early proponent of fully-fermented, dry wines and the use of barriques. He had 2 sons. One of them – Franz Keller - was initially the Chef of Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, but eventually moved to Hattenheim in the Rheingau, where he is the owner and chef at the Adlerwirtschaft. The other one – Fritz Keller – took over from his father in the 1980s and expanded the empire further.

Picture: Weingut Franz Keller

Today, the Keller empire comprises a luxury hotel (Hotel Schwarzer Adler in Oberbergen), 3 restaurants (the Michelin starred Schwarzer Adler, the more basic Rebstock, just across the street, and the KellerWirtschaft, which is part of the new winery), a fine wine trading company, focusing on Bordeaux and Bourgogne, Weingut Franz Keller (recently joined the VDP, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany) and the Edition Fritz Keller project, a very successful trademark wine project with the discount chain Aldi.

Fritz Keller, in addition to his activity as winemaker, wine trader and restaurateur, is also president of the German football club SC Freiburg.

Pictures: Weingut Franz Keller - Tour

Weingut Franz Keller

With the Keller family everything started with producing and offering outstanding food. Franz and his wife Irma were among the first generation of chefs to start the German revolution in the kitchen more than 50 years ago. In 1969 Franz and Irma Keller and their restaurant Schwarze Adler were awarded one Michelin star. For Franz Keller, the central idea of winemaking was to produce top quality wines that perfectly accompanied the creations in the kitchen. The current generation, Fritz and Bettina Keller have brought the winery to a new level. They just finished construction of a brand new winery that is an architectural landmark, beautifully integrated in the landscape. Their efforts to produce top wines, among them stunning Pinot Noirs, were acknowledged by their selection as new member of the VDP in 2013.

Fritz Keller: Initially, everything revolved around gastronomy for the Kellers. To make wines that partner food perfectly has thus always been central to their winemaking. In vineyard and winery, just as in the kitchens of the restaurants, the greatest attention is paid to the raw materials. Only grapes of a select quality – this is our conviction – can go on to develop their own character which speaks of the terroir and the estate.

Pictures: Tasting with Fritz Keller

Trading in Fine Wine

Fritz Keller: Trading in fine wines has been a tradition of more than 100 years in the Keller family. To this day, the focus is on the great wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy: a unique portfolio unequalled in quality and breadth encompassing wines from the most prestigious vineyards and chateaux, completed by selected wines from other European and New World regions.

Edition Fritz Keller

Edition Fritz Keller is a highly successful collaboration of Fritz Keller with Aldi, Germany's legendary discount food retailer. Under the brand name Edition Fritz Keller, he initially (in 2007) produced a Pinot Noir and a Pinot Blanc from Baden, contracting with a great many smaller growers of the region for grapes. In this quest to bring top-quality wine to as many people as possible, Fritz has, as the back label pompously informs us, found inspiration in the "Bauhaus" school of architecture and art. The portfolio has now expanded to more than half a dozen wines.

Wine Tasting

2014 Weingut Franz Keller Silvaner Alte Reben VDP.Gutswein
2014 Weingut Franz Keller Weissburgunder VDP.Gutswein
2014 Weingut Franz Keller Grauburgunder VDP.Gutswein
2014 Weingut Franz Keller Weissburgunder VDP.Gutswein

2013 Weingut Franz Keller Spätburgunder Franz Anton
2012 Weingut Franz Keller Spätburgunder S

2012 Weingut Franz Keller Pinot Sect brut

Picture: Leaving

Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler

Following the visit of Weingut Franz Keller, we had a wonderful wine lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler. See separate posting.

Pictures: Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler of Fritz Keller in Oberbergen.

Postings on the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) (Posted and Forthcoming)

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Fall Tours by ombiasy WineTours 2015 - A Very Special Treat: Experience Harvest Time !

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour, Tasting (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)

Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier - German South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Salwey in Oberrotweil, Kaiserstuhl, Baden, with Benno Salwey – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and Wine Taverns in Freiburg, Baden, Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Franz Keller in Oberbergen, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Paring Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler (1 Star Michelin) in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber (VDP) in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger (VDP) in Baden.

Tour and Tasting at Maison Léon Beyer in Eguisheim, Alsace, France, with Marc Beyer

Tour and Tasting at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Catharine Faller

Wine Pairing Lunch at Wine Tavern Jülg, Weingut Jülg, in Schweigen, with Johannes Jülg

Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz (VDP) in Siebeldingen, Pfalz

Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Müller-Catoir in Neustadt-Haardt, Pfalz

Tour and Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann (VDP) in Gimmeldingen, Pfalz, with Steffen Christmann

Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Winning (VDP) in Deidesheim, Pfalz

Tour and Tsting at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant FUMI at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Markus Schneider in Ellerstadt, Pfalz, with Markus Schneider

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franziska Schmitt

Tasting at Weingut Dreissigacker in Bechtheim, Rheinhessen, with Ute Dreissigacker

Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Eva Vollmer in Mainz-Ebersheim, Rheinhessen, with Eva Vollmer

Germany's Best Pinot Noir Wines - BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015

Picture: 2013 Weingut Rings, Kallstadter Saumagen, Spätburgunder, Pfalz, with Andreas Rings, Weingut Rings, in Frankfurt, Germany

Martin Zwick, the wine blogger from Berlin, is rapidly building up a reputation as being a mover and shaker in the German wine scene. This is due to the various Berlin Cups that he is organizing. It all started with the BerlinRieslingCup a few years ago, a blind tasting and ranking in November of what Martin Zwick considered the leading Grosses Gewächs wines - the ultra-premium dry wines of the VDP producers, Germany’s elite wine makers - that were released on September 1 of the same year. Initially, people did not pay much attention to the BerlinRieslingCup, but this has clearly changed over the years.

Pictures: Annette and Christian Schiller with Andreas Rings and his 2013 Weingut Rings, Kallstadter "Saumagen", Spätburgunder, in Frankfurt. The 2013 2013 Weingut Rings, Kallstadter "Saumagen", Spätburgunder was #1 in the BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015

But the BerlinCup is no longer just about Grosses Gewächs wines, Martin has added a (1) BerlinGutsweinCup – ranking entry level wines, a (2) BerlinKabinettCup – ranking lightly sweet wines at the Kabinett level and a (3) BerlinSpätburgunderCup – ranking German Pinot Noir wines.

Picture: At Weingut Schnaitmann with Rainer Schnaitmann during the Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) The 2013 Schnaitmann, Fellbacher "Lämmler" GG, Spätburgunder, Württemberg was #2 in the BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015.

Red Wine Revolution in Germany

There is a red wine revolution going on in Germany and the world increasingly takes note of it. Of course, given its location, the red wines of Germany tend to be not like the fruity red wines we know from warmer countries, but lean and more elegant, with a lot of finesse. 30 years ago, the share of red wine in total German wine output was not more than 10 percent; in the international wine scene, people would not talk about German red wine. But this is changing. Germany now produces red wines that can compete with the best of the world; the share of red wines in terms of production has increased to about 35 percent now in Germany and increasingly the international market takes note of what is happening in Germany.

Picture: Paul Fürst, Annette Schiller, Sebastian Fürst and Christian Schiller at Weingut Rudolf Fürst: Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015). The 2013 Fürst, "Hundsrück" GG, Spätburgunder, Franken was #3 in the BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015.

Pinot Noir in Germany

Today, Germany is the third biggest producer of Pinot Noir (called Spaetburgunder in Germany), after France and the US, with more planted than Australia and New Zealand combined. However, despite being the world’s third largest producer of Pinot Noir, the country exports just over 1% of its production.

Picture: At Weingut Bernhard Huber with Julian Huber during: Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015). The 2013 Weingut Berhard Huber, Malterdinger Bienenberg Wildenstein GG, Spätburgunder, Baden, was #4 in the BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015. 

BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015

The BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015 took place in late October 2015. Tasted and ranked were wines from 2013. A group of sommeliers, wine retailers, wine bloggers, wine marketing people and Pinot Noir lovers tasted and ranked 39 wines. These were all ultra-premium wines, but not only VDP.Grosses Gewaechs wines.

Ranking - BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2013/2015

93 Punkte

2013 Rings, Kallstadter "Saumagen", Spätburgunder, Pfalz (Euro 38)
2013 Schnaitmann, Fellbacher "Lämmler" GG, Spätburgunder, Württemberg (Euro 48)

92 Punkte

2013 Fürst, "Hundsrück" GG, Spätburgunder, Franken (Euro 94)
2013 Huber, Malterdinger Bienenberg "Wildenstein" GG, Spätburgunder, Baden (Euro 120)
2013 Rings, "Felsenberg", Spätburgunder, Pfalz
2013 Braunewell, Essenheimer "Teufelspfad", Spätburgunder, Rheinhessen

91 Punkte

2013 Stadt Klingenberg-Benedikt Baltes, "Terra 1621", Spätburgunder, Franken (Euro 100)
2012 Koehler-Ruprecht, Pinot Noir Reserve, Pfalz
2013 Dr. Heger, "Häusleboden" GG, Spätburgunder, Baden (Euro 71)
2013 Huber, Hecklinder "Schlossberg" GG, Spätburgunder, Baden
2012 Holger Koch, Pinot Noir Reserve, Baden (Euro 48)
2013 Meyer-Näkel, Dernauer "Pfarrwingert" GG, Spätburgunder, Ahr (Euro 48)
2013 Siener, Birkweiler "Kastanienbusch", Pinot Noir, Pfalz

90 Punkte

2013 Möbitz, "Koepfle", Pinot Noir, Baden (Euro 39)
2012 Koehler-Ruprecht, Pinot Noir, Pfalz
2013 Stodden, Ahrweiler "Rosenthal" GG, Spätburgunder, Ahr
2012 Molitor, Brauneberger "Klostergarten"***, Pinot Noir, Mosel (Euro 80)
2013 Künstler, Hofheim "Stein" GG, Spätburgunder, Rheingau
2012 Molitor, Brauneberger "Klostergarten" **, Pinot Noir, Mosel (Euro 45)
2013 St. Antony, Nierstein "Paterberg", Pinot Noir, Rheinhessen
2013 Thörle, Saulheimer "Hölle", Spätburgunder, Rheinhessen

89 Punkte

2013 Johner, "SJ" , Blauer Spätburgunder, Baden
2012 Gutzler, "Morstein" GG, Spätburgunder, Rheinhessen
2013 Heid, "Fellbacher Lämmler" GG, Spätburgunder, Württemberg
2013 Jülg, Pinot Noir, Pfalz
2013 Enderle&Moll, "Muschelkalk", Pinot Noir, Baden
2013 Krebs "Musikantenbuckel", Spätburgunder, Pfalz

88 Punkte

2013 Ziereisen, "Rhini" Blauer Spätburgunder, Baden
2013 Bergdolt-Reif&Nett, "Hölle", Spätburgunder, Pfalz
2012 Wageck, "Burgweg", Spätburgunder, Pfalz
2013 Chat Sauvage, "Lorcher Kapellenberg", Pinot Noir, Rheingau (Euro 45)
2013 Aldinger, Marienglas "Gips" GG, Spätburgunder, Württemberg
2013 Allendorf, Assmannshäuser "Höllenberg" GG, Spätburgunder, Rheingau
2013 Frank John, Pinot Noir, Pfalz (Euro 45)

87 Punkte

2013 Zelt "Laumersheimer Kirschgarten" Spätburgunder, Pfalz
2013 Wageck, "Kalkmergel", Spätburgunder, Pfalz
2013 Metzger, "Melandor" , Pinot Noir, Pfalz (Euro 48)
2013 Thörle, Saulheimer "Probstey", Spätburgunder, Rheinhessen
2013 Siener, "Köppel" Kastanienbusch, Spätburgunder, Pfalz

86 Punkte

2013 Julianne Eller "Alsheim" Juwel, Spätburgunder, Rheinhessen

Michael Quentel's Notes in Weinwisser

Michael Quentel was one of the judges and published his tasting notes and general impressions on his website (in German). I selected a few (including of the most expensive wines) and re-issued them here. The pictures are mine.

2013 Lorcher Kapellenberg Pinot Noir, QbA trocken – Chat Sauvage, Rheingau (€45,-)

Recht dunkles Rubinrot; dunkle, leicht vom Alkohol getragene Nase, etwas rauchig, geschnittenes Holz, saftiger Ansatz, schöne aromatische Tiefe mit festem Kern, gutes Tannin, klare Frucht; fest gewirkte, gute Struktur; Holz ist sehr gut eingebunden; druckvoll, mit guter Länge. 89-90 Punkte

Picture: Michael Städter, General Manager and Winemaker at Weingut Chat Sauvage in Rüdesheim (2015). See also: Weingut Chat Sauvage – Bourgogne in the Middle of the Rheingau: Meeting Chat Sauvage’s Winemaker and General Manager Michael Städter, Germany

2013 Ihringer Winklerberg Häusleboden Spätburgunder GG – Dr. Heger, Baden (€71,40)

Mittleres, ziemlich transparentes Runbinrot, sehr schöner Glanz, wunderbar balancierte, ruhige Art, feine Textur, eleganter Stil. Die Komponenten Frucht (rot- und dunkelbeerig, subtile Kirschfrucht), Tannin und Säure sind perfekt aufeinander abgestimmt; schöne Struktur; sehr klare und reintönige Art, richtig guter Stoff, feinsandiges Tannin, nachhaltig und subtil zugleich, erstaunlich früh zu trinken, aber mit gutem Lagerpotential 92-94 Punkte

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller and Joachim Heger. See: Visit: Weingut Dr. Heger in Baden – Germany-South Wine Tours by ombiasy (2014)

2013 Spätburgunder Terra 1261, QbA trocken – Weingut Stadt Klingenberg / Benedikt Baltes, Franken (ca. €100 – als Teil einer Lagenkiste)

Helles Rubinrot mit mittlerer Transparenz. Feine, dezent rotbeerige Frucht, etwas roh-fleischige Noten, Nuancen von Kirschen und getrockneten Kräutern, filigran gewirkte Nase. Am Gaumen hochelegant, perfekte Balance, mit sehr schöner aromatischer Tiefe, verspielt, feine und noble Tannine, mineralische Anklänge, mit ganz vielen Facetten, besitzt eine wunderbare Leichtigkeit des Seins. Aristokratisch und subtil bis lange Finale. 93-94 Punkte

2013 Fellbacher Lämmler Spätburgunder GG – Schnaitmann, Württemberg (€42,-)

Herrlich intensives und nachhaltiges Parfum; dicht und gleichzeitig vielschichtig und facettenreich – so schön! Am Gaumen ein wunderbare Aromen-Melange. Feinsaftig und eher kühl in der Aromatik, kein bisschen vordergründige Frucht, sondern eher vegetabil-kräutrige Noten, Kirschkerne, erdig und mineralisch; wunderbares Säurespiel, viel Substanz, noch recht fest gewirkt, aber mit sehr feinen Anlagen, nachhaltig und mit formidabler Länge. 93-95 Punkte

2013 Dernauer Pfarrwingert Spätburgunder GG – Meyer-Näkel, Ahr (€48,-)

Dichtes Rubinrot. Dichte Waldbeerenfrucht, Erdbeeren, dezente Kräutrigkeit. Am Gaumen schöner Extrakt. Dunkle Waldbeeren, Kirschfrucht und Erdbeeren, dahinter dezent kräutrige Noten. Etwas Extraktsüße – abgepuffert mit schöner Säure. Insgesamt mittelgewichtig mit guter Frische und fein eingepassten Gerbstoffen. Ausgewogener und harmonischer Spätburgunder, der bereits jetzt gut zu trinken ist. 89-91 Punkte

Picture: With Dorte Nägel at Weingut Meyer-Näkel during the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

2013 Bürgstadter Hundsrück Spätburgunder GG – Fürst, Franken (€94,-)

Rubinrot mit mittlerer Transparenz und schönem Glanz. In der Nase feiner, tiefer und kühl-mineralischer Ansatz, überaus reintönige Aromen, eher dunkelbeerig und kräutrig. Am Gaumen die gleiche reintönige und transparente Art. Baut viel Zug und Druck auf, viel innere Stärke, dabei nie schwer. Packt zu, feinwürzig, mit herrlichem Säurebiss und subtiler Extraktsüße; feinsaftig und überaus klar. Hedonistischer Wein mit riesigem Potential und tollem Harmonie-Versprechen. Großartig; feistes Teil! 94-96 Punkte

2013 Bienenberger Wildenstein Spätburgunder R / GG – Huber, Baden (€120,-)

Von Anbeginn eine ungeheuer subtile und vielschichtige Aromatik. Betörende Nase mit ätherisch/balsamischen Anklängen, feinen Kirsch- und dunklen Beerennoten, auch würzige Aromen. Am Gaumen eine vergleichbar komplexes Aromenspiel zwischen Frucht, Gewürzen (z.B. roter Pfeffer) und erdig, mineralischen Anklängen. Kühle, sehr geschliffene Art. Hier ist alles bestens definiert, passend dimensioniert und auf eine lange Zukunft hin strukturiert. Frucht, frische Säure, feingliedrige Tannine und ein wunderschönes, langes und elegantes Finale. Groß! 94-95 Punkte

2013 Kallstadter Saumagen Spätburgunder, QbA trocken – Rings, Pfalz (€38,-)

Kühler, intensiver Duft von rotschwarzen Beeren und Kirschen, durchzogen mit einem wunderbaren Potpourrie von getrockneten Kräutern und Gewürzen. Am Gaumen geil-saftig (sorry des Ausdrucks), tief und nachhaltig. Der Wein hat Power und Frische, ist klar, kühl und substanzgeladen. Insgesamt fest gewirkt, mit ein paar schönen Pölsterchen an den richtigen Stellen und runden, weichen, aber nachhaltigen Tanninen. Irgendwie ein crowdpleaser, aber aktuell passt hier einfach alles. Alles ist richtig dimensioniert, dicht und very sexy! Frisch & jung, mit schönem Schmelz und herrlicher Frucht. Es gibt viel zu entdecken in den Ecken und Winkeln dieses Weins. Vielleicht nicht der nobelste aller Spätburgunder, aber selbst ein Weinintellektueller wird sich dem Charme des Saumagens nicht entziehen können. Eine perfekte Spätburgunder-Praline, die irre lang am Gaumen haftet. Jetzt schon super zu trinken. 93-95 Punkte

2012 Brauneberger Klostergarten Spätburgunder*** – Molitor, Mosel (ca.€80,-)

Sehr tiefe Burgundernase, unglaublich klar und reintönig, gerade aus und doch äußerst vielschichtig, es benötigt viel Zeit im Glas, damit der Wein sich zu offenbaren beginnt. Es deutet sich erst langsam an, was in dem Wein steckt. Dieser Stoff ist für ein langes, genussvolles Leben bereitet und stellt die hohe Winzerskunst dar. Sehr pur und rein, mit viel innerer Vibration und sehr fein definierten Aromen, dunkelfruchtig, dunkle Sauerkirschen, blütige Anklänge. Die Tannine bilden Struktur, sind in ihrer Wahrnehmung aber sehr feinkörnig und weich. Wunderbarer Tropfen mit riesigem Zukunftsversprechen. 91-94 Punkte

schiller-wine: Related Postings (Berlin Cups)

Germany’s Best Ultra-premium Dry Riesling Wines - BerlinRieslingCup 2015, Germany
Germany’s Best Ultra-premium Dry Riesling Wines - BerlinRieslingCup 2014, Germany
Germany’s Best Ultra-premium Dry Riesling Wines - BerlinRieslingCup 2013, Germany
Germany’s Ultra Premium Dry Riesling Wines – The Berlin Riesling Cup 2012
Germany’s Top Wines – The Berlin Riesling Cup 2011 Ranking

Martin Zwick’s BerlinGutsrieslingCup 2015 - Rating Dry Entry-level Rieslings from Germany's Best Producers
Martin Zwick’s BerlinGutsrieslingCup 2014 - Rating Entry-level Rieslings from Germany's Best Producers
BerlinGutsrieslingCup 2013 – Rating Entry-level Rieslings from Germany
Berlin Gutsriesling Cup 2012, Germany

Martin Zwick's BerlinKabinettCup 2015: Germany's Best 2014 Riesling Kabinett Wines
Martin Zwick's BerlinKabinettCup 2014, Germany
BerlinKabinettCup 2013 - Kabinett 2012, Germany

Germany's Best Pinot Noir Wines - BerlinSpätburgunderCup 2012/2014
BerlinSpaetburgunderCup 2011/2013, Germany

Schiller-wine - Related Postings

Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France

Germany’s Grosses Gewächs GG Wines Released (2014 White and 2013 Red) - Notes from the Pre-release Tasting in Wiesbaden, Germany

Wine Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Frankfurt/Wein Celebrated with the German Wine Queen Nadine Poss and 5 Winemakers: Simone Adams, Weingut Simone Adams, Markus Berres, Weingut C.H. Berres, Stefan Braunewell, Weingut Braunewell, Carmen von Nell-Breuning, Dominikaner Weingut, and Stephan Attmann, Weingut von Winning

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Künstler – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Visit: Winzerhof Thörle in Saulheim, Rheinhessen – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Weingut Chat Sauvage – Bourgogne in the Middle of the Rheingau: Meeting Chat Sauvage’s Winemaker and General Manager Michael Staedter, Germany

Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) 

Wine Tasting at Weingut J.J. Adeneuer in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Ahr, with Marc Adeneuer - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Picture: Annette Schiller and Marc Adeneuer, Weingut Adeneuer

The Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), organized and led by Annette Schiller, took place from September 6 – 12, 2015. The group was small - there were 7 of us, including Annette and Christian Schiller.

The tour took us to the Rheingau, Mittelrhein, Ahr, Mosel and Nahe. In the Ahr, we visited 2 producers: Adeneuer and Meyer Näkel.

This posting cover the visit of Weingut Adeneuer.

For a summary of the whole tour, see: Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Marc Adeneuer was our host.

Picture: Weingut Adeneuer

The Ahr Region

With only 558 hectares the Ahr region is one of smaller of Germany's 13 regions. Despite its northern location (it is for example situated north of Mosel region) it primarily (almost 90%) produces red wines. It is believed that vines were cultivated in the Ahr valley already in Roman times, as is the case with nearby Mosel. The narrow Ahr river valley is responsible for the region's favored mesoclimate.

Picture: Welcome

Situated between 50° and 51° north, Ahr is the world's most northern region dominated by red wine grapes. So far north, very good sites with a warm microclimate are needed to properly ripen red wine grapes, and the Ahr vineyards are said to have a "Mediterranean" microclimate. Most vineyards are located on terraced slopes facing southwest to southeast along the middle and lower portions of river Ahr, over a stretch of 25 kilometers.

Spätburgunder is the dominant grape variety of the Ahr wine region.

Weingut J.J. Adeneuer

Weingut J.J. Adeneuer in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler in the Ahr Valley is a family-owned winery with 500 years of history. In 1984, the brothers Frank and Marc took over the operation from their aunt. Frank is the winemaker and Marc is the administrator/sales man.

The vineyards total 9 hectares: Rosenthal (Ahrweiler), Burggarten and Landskrone (Heimersheim), Schieferlay and Sonnenberg (Neuenahr), as well as Domlay and Gärkammer (Walporzheim).

Picture: Frank and Marc Adeneuer, Weingut Adeneuer

Spätburgunder accounts for 80 percent of the wine portfolio. In retrospect, it was the right decision for the brothers Frank and Marc Adeneuer to concentrate on Spätburgunder. They say: "At the end of the day, Pinot Noir is always good for a surprise and therefore, it requires more attention."

They are the sole owners of the renowned, spectacular site Walporzheimer Gärkammer, between Kräuterberg and Pfaffenberg. It is one of the smallest single vineyards in Germany. The Adeneuer family acquired the vineyard in 1714.

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Adeneuer with Mark Adeneuer

The wines are individually produced in oak casks and kept strictly separated according to grape variety and site. The wines are made in big old barrels, with the exception of some of the top cuvees which see new oak. The latter are the #1 wines. The top wines age for 18 to 24 months in new oak. For the Adeneuer brothers, terroir is not just a trendy word, but rather "the soul of our wines."

Weingut Adeneuer has 4 (of 5) grapes in the Gault and Millau WeinGuide Deutschland and 3,5 (of 5) stars in the Eichelmann.

Tasting

Mark Adeneuer: Vintage 2014 as very difficult and a lot of sorting was needed. The results are very interesting. Vintage 2013 was good, it was not too warm. The wines have good structure and acidity. Fruit and tannins are very well balanced.

2014 Weingut Adeneuer Weissburgunder Trocken
2014 Weingut Adeneuer Blanc de Noir Spätburgunder Trocken
2014 Weingut Adeneuer Spätburgunder Weissherbst Trocken  

2014 Weingut Adeneuer Ahrweiler Spätburgunder
2014 Weingut Adeneuer J.J. Adeneuer #2 Spätburgunder
2012 Weingut Adeneuer J.J. Adeneuer #1 Spätburgunder
2013 Weingut Adeneuer J.J. Adeneuer #1 Spätburgunder
2014 Weingut Adeneuer Spätburgunder

2013 Weingut Adeneuer Sonnenberg Frühburgunder VDP.Grosses Gewächs
2013 Weingut Adeneuer Rosenthal Spätburgunder VDP.Grosses Gewächs
2013 Weingut Adeneuer Gärkammer Spätburgunder VDP.Grosses Gewächs

2008 Weingut Adeneuer Ahrweiler Rosenthal Spätburgunder

Bye-bye

Thank you very much Marc for a great tasting.

Picture: Marc Adeneuer

Hotel Ännchen in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler

After the tasting, we checked in at Hotel Ännchen in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, a 3 star family run hotel within the medieval town walls in Ahrweiler on the pedestrian precinct.

We had dinner in the medieval Old Town and tried some more fine Ahr wines.

Picture: Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler

Postings on the Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) (Posted and Forthcoming)

4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux

Fall Tours by ombiasy WineTours 2015 - A Very Special Treat: Experience Harvest Time !

Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Baron Knyphausen in Erbach, Rheingau - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine and Music at Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Wine Tasting with Lunch, with Mark Barth at Wein- und Sektgut Barth in Hattenheim, Rheingau – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Spreitzer in Oestrich, Rheingau, with Bernd Spreitzer – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Tasting at Weingut Toni Jost in Bacharach, Mittelrhein, with Cecilia Jost – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cruise on the Rhein River in the Mittelrhein Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage Region – Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Tasting at Weingut J.J.Adeneuer in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Ahr

Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Weingut Meyer-Näkel in Dernau, Ahr

Wine Tasting at Weingut Dr. Loosen in Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel

Wine Tasting at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen, Mosel

Vineyard Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Weingut Van Volxem in Wiltingen, Saar, Mosel

Wine Tasting at Weingut Hexamer, in Monzingen, Nahe

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Gut Hermannsberg, in Niederhausen, Nahe

Tour and Wine Dinner at Weingut Kruger-Rumpf in Münster-Sarmsheim, Nahe

Tour and Tasting at Sektmanufaktur Bardong in Geisenheim, Rheingau

Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Domaine Schloss Johannisberg in Geisenheim, Rheingau