The
Nahe
Considered to
be plump, rich and firm, some people say earthy. Classic German wines from
historic sites.
Schfer-Frhlich
(Bockenau)
Tim Schfer-Frhlich's parents are slightly bemused by the steady
flow of foreign merchants and journalists through their door in this rural corner
of the Nahe. Still in his twenties, Tim is playing at the top of his game.
Bio-dynamic (the extreme end of organic viticulture) and confident with his use
of wild yeasts, which many growers find difficult and unpredictable. Tim makes
real ŌterroirĶ wines - wines with a clear sense of where they are from.
Felseneck is a steep slope overhanging the village of Bockenau, heavy
with volcanic Porphyr stone. Tingly, nervy, limey and exhilarating. The
Halenberg has a pure honeydew melon on the nose with hints of soft vegetal
development that will deepen with age.
Rich fruit and weight is cut through by rapier-like acidity that makes
the mouth water, leaving you with that stony minerality so characteristic of
TimÕs wines.
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trocken |
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Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Kabinett trocken |
2006 |
13.99 |
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Monzinger Frhlingspltzchen Riesling Sptlese
trocken |
2005 |
15.99 |
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Schlossbckelheim Felsenberg Riesling Sptlese
trocken |
2005 |
15.99 |
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Bockenauer
Felseneck Riesling Sptlese trocken |
2006 |
18.99 |
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Monzinger Halenberg Riesling GROSSES GEWCHS |
2006 |
32.99 |
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Schlossbckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling GROSSES
GEWCHS |
2006 |
32.99 |
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Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling GROSSES GEWCHS |
2006 |
36.99 |
Gutsverwaltung
Niederhausen-Schlossbckelheim
Quite a mouthful in a number of ways, difficult to say
and, if in doubt, point! Young winemaker Christian Vogt was under pressure.
Having taken over in the cellar of this ex-state domain in 2003, he was given a
simple brief - make world class wine. In the 60's and 70's this was one of the
best Riesling estates in the world. It recently celebrated its 100th
anniversary, and the owner, a millionaire from the Pfalz who made his fortune
selling potatoes, wants results fast. We think ChristianÕs 2006s are fabulous.
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Schlossbckelheimer Steinberg Riesling
trocken |
2006 |
10.99 |
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Schlossbckelheimer Kupfergrube Riesling
trocken |
2006 |
11.50 |
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Traisener Bastei Riesling Sptlese
trocken |
2006 |
15.99 |
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Schlossbckelheimer Steinberg Riesling GROSSES GEWCHS |
2006 |
21.99 |
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sweet |
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Schlossbckelheimer Kupfergrube Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel
375ml |
2006 |
16.99 |
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Schlossbckelheimer Kupfergrube Riesling Beerenauslese 375ml |
2006 |
59.99 |
Schneider (Niederhausen)
A classic story of a tiny family winery in the small village of
Niederhausen on the river Nahe, south-west of the Spa town Bad Kreuznach.
Bouncy, energetic 25 year-old Jakob Junior took over from his
Lederhosen-wearing father on his return from wine university and is making
thrilling dry Rieslings, packed with spicy minerality drawn from the deep red,
iron-rich slate.
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trocken |
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Melaphyr
Riesling trocken |
2006 |
9.99 |
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sweet |
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Niederhuser Hermannshhle Riesling Beerenauslese |
2006 |
44.99 |
Crusius (Traisen)
Championed by
Hugh Johnson in the 1970s, Crusius has perhaps been overlooked recently. Dr
Peter Crusius and his wife Birgitte have seamlessly taken over from PeterÕs
father Hans and are making full-throttle, exuberent, dense Nahe wines in the
village of Traisen west of Bad Kreuznach. Jewel in the crown is Traiser Bastei,
a tiny south-facing slope at the foot of the red cliffs of Traiser Rotenfels.
Their 2001s are stunning from Qba up to Eiswein. Fleshy in texture with weight
and acidity - classic, wonderful Riesling with enormous ageing potential. 2002s
were a touch leaner and 2003s fuller, but still with good freshness.
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Rotenfels
Riesling GROSSES GEWCHS |
2004 |
26.99 |
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Schlossbckelheimer Felsenberg GROSSES GEWCHS |
2002 |
27.50 |
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fruity |
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Traiser Bastei Riesling Sptlese
Goldkapsel |
2004 |
27.99 |
Schlossgut
Diel (Burg Layen)
Armin Diel is
a giant on the current German wine scene - imposing, opinionated and often controversial.
He is co-editor of the most influential annual German Wine Guide, the
Gault-Millau. He is a frequent contributor to German wine and food magazines
and has done much to raise the standard and profile of German wines on the
international stage. Not everybodyÕs cup of tea, but we like him. He also makes
excellent wines.
The Diel
family founded their estate in Burg Layen south of Bingen in 1802. They now
have 16 hectares on one south-facing slope which embraces Pittermnchen, Goldloch
and Burgberg. Although Riesling forms the heart of his collection, Armin
believes great wines can also be made in the Nahe with Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
and Pinot Noir. The barrel-fermented Cuvee Victor (named after his son, now
studying law) has all the weight and intensity of top white Burgundy and,
surprisingly, is made with equal parts of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and
Chardonnay.
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trocken |
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Cuvee Victor |
2000 |
31.99 |
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Cuvee Victor |
2001 |
31.99 |
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fruity |
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Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Auslese |
2001 |
32.99 |
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Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Auslese |
2002 |
35.99 |