German Wines

Pfalz - Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan

Rheingau - Georg Breuer

Rheinhessen - Geil

Mosel - Weingut Max Ferd. Richter

Rheinhessen - Weingut Wagner-Stempel

Ahr - Weingut Meyer-Näkel

Nahe - Emrich Schönleber

Pfalz - Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan

Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan has for over two centuries been one of the most important estates in Pfalz. In the 1980’s the estate stagnated somewhat, but since 1995 Ulrich Mell one of the regions most brilliant winemakers was hired to turn things around. This he has done and now Bassermann-Jordan is back on top as one of the leading estates in Pfalz.

Stylistically Pfalz wines are more akin to their cousins in Alsace than to those from the neighbouring German regions. Geographically close, but separated by the Franco-German border, both Pfalz and Alsace lie on the left bank of the Rhine along a fairly narrow north-south axis. They are the driest and sunniest regions of their respective countries, both protected by the same mountain range.

These Pfalz wines, when compared with the delicate Mosels, are more full-bodied and rounder, with a notable richness of flavour.

Estate Wines

	Estate Wines - White	Vintage	RRP
	The Riesling sets the tone for the whole range with its red apple aromas and a lick of honey. The palate is dry with an abundance of apple, gooseberry fruit, balanced acidity and a long lasting tingle on the tongue. Weisser Burgunder is the German name for Pinot Blanc. This is a summery wine with floral aromas and flavours of peach, pear and apple, and is quite mouth-watering.
	Riesling Estate trocken (dry)	2009	due in

Kabinett Wines

	Kabinett Wines - White	Vintage	RRP
	The two Kabinett wines show the differences of vineyard and vintage. The Ruppertsberg is crisp and dry with lemon, lime and apple fruit, whilst the Deidesheim is much more floral with aromas of rose petals, fuller body and exotic flavours of peach and pineapple.
	Ruppertsburger Reiterpfad Riesling Kabinett trocken (dry)	2009	due in
	Deidesheimer Leinhöhle Riesling Kabinett (off-dry)	2006	€19.95

Großes Gewächs – Grand Cru Pfalz

 

	Großes Gewächs – Grand Cru Pfalz - White	Vintage	RRP
	The sheer concentration of this wine is quite amazing; the aromas are pure tropical with lychee, passion fruit and honey, whilst the palate is full-bodied with exceptionally complex fruit flavours of orange peel, peaches, honey, and a finish that just goes on and on.
	Hohenmorgen Deidesheim Riesling Spätlese trocken (dry)	2005	€42.50

Rheingau - Georg Breuer

Founded in 1880 as part of a wine merchant company, the estate has been owned by the Breuer family since the beginning of the 20th century. Georg Breuer enlarged the estate and increased the export of the wines. His sons Bernard and Heinrich expanded the estate to 30 hectares in the best Rüdesheim and Rauenthal sites. From the early 1980’s Bernard Breuer’s efforts gained an international reputation for the estate, managed today by Heinrich Breuer with the aid of cellarmaster Hermann Schmoranz and Theresa Breuer.

The primary interest of this estate is in the revival of the dry style of German Riesling. This makes Breuer unusual in German terms as they have little interest in producing the sweeter styles and have concentrated their efforts in the production of dry wines. This perhaps makes the wines more comparable with great New World Rieslings but the Germanic character is very clear in the purity of aroma and taste with excellent concentration and length of finish. These are amongst some of the most stylish and confident wines to emerge from Germany.

Estate Wines

	Estate Wines - White	Vintage	RRP
	The GB Riesling is designed as an early drinking wine perfect with or without food, and is stylish introduction to Breuer and Rheingau Riesling.
	GB Sauvage Riesling trocken	2009	€17.65

Terra Montosa

	Terra Montosa - White	Vintage	RRP
	Terra Montosa is made from a selection of grapes from the top four vineyards of the estate; it is a wine of sheer class with crisp penetrating fruit flavours, exquisite balance, underpinned by a steely backbone and a long, long finish.
	Terra Montosa 2007	2007	€27.75

First Growth Vineyards

	First Growth Vineyards - White	Vintage	RRP
	The Berg Roseneck has a nose to make you smile. This vineyard has a cooler climate than most, resulting in a very fresh clean style that is packed with peach and apricot flavours, citrus acidity and a long lasting finish. 20 km upstream lies the Nonnenberg vineyard with its loam and gravel soils the style of the wines is more exotic than Berg Roseneck with orange and grapefruit flavours. While these wines will develop beautifully with age gaining more depth and the classic kerosene character, it would be a shame not also to enjoy them in their youth when they are so fresh & lively.
	Berg Rosenneck Riesling trocken	2006	€37.50
	Nonnenberg Riesling trocken	2006	€45.60
	Berg Scholssberg Riesling trocken	2006	€53.95

Spätburgunder – Pinot Noir

 

	Spätburgunder – Pinot Noir - Red	Vintage	RRP
	Breuer first started to bottle Pinot Noir in the early 1990’s. The Spätburgunder “B” is not made every year, it spends 15-18 months in small oak barrique. While it has considerably more concentration than the basic Spätburgunder both display cherry flavours and a rich palate with firm backbone. Read press review here
	Spätburgunder GB	2009	€19.95
	Spätburgunder Pinot Noir	2005	€29.95
	Spätburgunder “B” Bergterrassen	2004	€36.95

 

Rheinhessen - Weingut Geil

 

	White	Vintage	RRP
	Geil Riesling Trocken	2009	€12.95

	Red	Vintage	RRP
	Geil Pinot Noir	2009	€14.95

 

 

Mosel - Weingut Max Ferd. Richter

Max Ferd. Richter produces classic Mosel wines, defined by the subtle interplay of their delicate flavours, their sweetness and their acidity. One of the wonderful aspects of Mosel Rieslings is their low alcohol, which brings out the purity of Riesling aromas.

Very few wines taste so light, delicate and pure yet have such lingering flavour. Low alcohol wines have the benefits of being flexible for all occasions. These are not rich heavy wines inducing drowsiness; they are clean, crisp and lively and are perfect aperitif wines.

They are also surprisingly good partners with food as a good Mosel Riesling will never interfere with, or overcome food it simply complements the flavours and refreshes the palate. Few wines match Asian cookery, traditional or fusion, as well as Mosel Rieslings; they are also pair very well with chicken, pork and shellfish. They are ideal partners for cheese, and in Germany the first crop of white asparagus is eagerly awaited to go with a Mosel Riesling.

Estate Wines

	Estate Wines - White	Vintage	RRP
	Zeppelin Riesling (off dry)	2008	€13.50
	Riesling Classic (off dry)	2008	€15.25

Graacher Dompropst

Graacher Dompropst produces in Mosel terms powerful wines with plenty of extract and mineral structure.

	White	Vintage	RRP
	Graacher Dompropst Riesling Kabinett trocken (dry)	2006	€19.25
	Graacher Dompropst Riesling Kabinett feinherb (off-dry)	2006	€18.25

Brauneberger Juffer & Sonnenuhr

A magnificent steep south facing vineyard, the name ‘brown hill’ refers to the iron oxide colour of the slate soil. This iron rich ground produces wines that have a high mineral intensity with very pure fruit yet remaining elegant, Sonnenuhr is pocketed in the middle of the Brauneberg vineyard. It is well sheltered and with its proximity to the river the vines attract botrytis (noble rot).

	White	Vintage	RRP
	Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett trocken (dry)	2007	€18.25
	Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese trocken (dry)	2007	€22.25
	Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese	2004	€21.50
	Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese	2003	€33.50
	Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese 37.5 cl	2005	€117.50
	Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 37.5cl	2000	€139.00

Veldenzer Elisenberg

Located in a valley behind the town of Mülheim, Veldenzer Elisenberg Rieslings are relatively full flavoured with aromas of red peaches and citrus fruits, the grey slate and quartz of the vineyard also imparts spiciness to the wines.

	White	Vintage	RRP
	Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Kabinett	2006	€17.50
	Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Spätlese	2006	€19.50
	Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Auslese Cask 77	2005	€33.95

Wehlener Sonnenuhr

This 65-hectare vineyard is a classic middle Mosel site with blue slate bedrock and deep underground streams protecting the vines from stress. The wines are clean, cool, and elegant with delicate flowery aromas, which can age well.

	Wehlener Sonnenuhr - White	Vintage	RRP
	Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett	2008	€18.25
	Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2006	2006	€22.25

Helenenkloster

	Wehlener Sonnenuhr - White	Vintage	RRP
	Mülheimer Helenenkloster Riesling Eiswein 37.5cl	2004	€90.75

Rheinhessen - Weingut Wagner-Stempel

Daniel Wagner of Wagner-Stempel in the Rheinhessen in Germany has been in charge of these family owned estates since 1992. He is one of the increasing number of young German winemakers, who, unencumbered by history, are making wines of the highest quality, often in areas previously considered dull or run-of-the-mill. That said, ‘twould be impossible without having the terroir and there is a pocket around Siefersheim of outstanding geology; pure weathered porphyry in the Hölberg and Heerkretz vineyards gives an outstanding minerality. So much so that the wines from both are “Großen Gewächse”, which is equivalent to “Grand Cru” in the German VDP* classification system.
(* Just as a tangential piece of information, probably useless, possibly the opposite, this stands for “Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter”, the association which represents and controls the very top growers making the best of the best. Ah, wonderful German – why use one word when six will do! Mind you, it does what it says and the organisation is at the forefront in fostering the idea and the reality that good German wine stands with the finest in the world.) Enough - back to Wagner-Stempel… The winery itself was established in the middle of the 19th century; however the emphasis is on modernity and Daniel is constantly improving both equipment and technique.

Estate Wines

	White	Vintage	RRP
	Riesling trocken	2007	€18.25
	Riesling vom Porphyr	2007	€26.50
	Riesling Höllberg (Grosses Gewächs)	2007	€38.50
	Riesling Heerkretz (Grosses Gewächs)	2007	€44.50
	Silvaner	2006	€16.65
	Rosé	Vintage	RRP
	Rosé	2007	€16.65
	Red	Vintage	RRP
	Saint Laurent	2005	€20.75

Ahr - Weingut Meyer-Näkel

Weingut Meyer-Näkel is in Dernau, Germany. Geographically it is well over 50º north and it is simply extraordinary that red wine grapes, especially the ultra-fussy Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir to the rest of us) can not only grow, but thrive, in so northern a location. Especially when one considers that Wonderful Wet Wicklow is only a couple of degrees further from the equator! In fact, the Ahr Valley is very deep and the poor slate dominated soils capture and reflect the sun's energies so well that red wines account for four fifths of this small area's production.

Werner Näkel has been at the helm of the family's 8.5 hectare estate since 1983. There are holdings in the top vineyards of the region, including the gloriously named Kräuterberg and the even more fantastically tagged Pfarrwingert. Spätburgunder accounts for almost three-quarters of his production and with it he is a serial award winner; within five years he received one for the best in Germany. In 2004 he was awarded 'Winemaker of the Year' and the latest edition of the prestigious Gault-Millau guide gives him a four star rating.

	Red	Vintage	RRP
	Meyer-Näkel Spätburgunder	2009	€21.95
	Meyer-Näkel Spätburgunder G	2008	€26.95
	Meyer-Näkel Spätburgunder S	2008	€43.75

Nahe - Emrich Schönleber

	White	Vintage	RRP
	Riesling Trocken	2008	€17.50
	Lenz Riesling	2007	€19.95
	Mineral Riesling	2007	€25.25
	Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Trocken	due in
	Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs (trocken)	2008	€46.50
	Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs (trocken)	2008	€49.00
	Monzinger Riesling Kabinett (off dry)	2008	€20.95