Some dry wines and some very sweet ones will be released later in the year.

Transcription

1 2011 German Wines 2011 was a roller-coaster for growers. A very cold winter, summer temperatures in April, severe localised frosts in May, a hailstorm of epic proportions in August, rain, and then a magnificent Indian summer: everyone was on the edge of their seats turned out to be one of the warmest and driest years on record: the vines profited from the early budbreak and long autumn to give wines that are pure, fine and elegant, with very appealing seductive fruit. It is yet another excellent vintage. The growing season began with a very cold January and February, and a mild March. Temperatures shot up in April, causing explosive growth in the vineyard, which led to budbreak in mid-april, three weeks earlier than average. Flowering quickly followed, and it looked like a very early harvest was on the cards. But from mid-july until the end of August the weather cooled and sunshine was interspersed with rain showers. This slowed ripening, and provided much-needed moisture for the vineyards. Localised frosts provided even more drama: the Mosel escaped them, but there was considerable damage elsewhere. The Mosel had its own worries. On 26 th August a hailstorm struck the heart of the Middle Mosel. Tennis-ball sized hail stones severely damaged cars and houses, and some vineyards. In a few places the losses were up to 50%. The most important factor for the vintage was a long Indian summer. Botrytis had begun to spread, but when the weather turned sunny it mostly dried up and stopped: affected grapes shrivelled, as the rot had pierced holes in the skins, but they retained very clean flavours. The warm dry weather meant that growers could pick at their leisure, and wait for perfect ripeness between each pass through their vineyards. The wines are very forward, with the pure yellow stone fruit of 1997 and 2007, and a beautifully defined minerality. They are delicious across the range, and a particular success in the dry category. What little botrytis there is comes across very seductively. The acidity is lower than in 2010, so they will be approachable when young, but the best wines will, as ever, keep extremely well. The vintage has had good yields at the lower end of the scale, but is even smaller than 2010 at the top end. As usual, we give priority for the most sought-after wines to customers who have supported us in the past and across the board. 1

2 Prices have remained very stable, and with the fall of the euro have in some cases gone down in real terms. We have passed on these benefits where we can. Some dry wines and some very sweet ones will be released later in the year. PRICES ARE IN BOND LONDON. UNLESS OTHERWISE MARKED, WINES ARE PACKED: 6-BOTTLE CASES (750ml) 12-BOTTLE CASES (375ml) 3-BOTTLE CASES (1500ml) UNLESS OTHERWISE MARKED, WINES ARE OFFERED BY THE CASE ONLY, BUT MANY SINGLE BOTTLES ARE AVAILABLE. Contents Hermann Dönnhoff Oberhausen (Nahe) 3-4 Fritz Haag Brauneberg (Mosel) 5-6 Julian Haart Piesport (Mosel) 7-8 Reinhold Haart Piesport (Mosel) 8-9 Heymann-LöwensteinWinningen (Mosel) 10 Johannishof Johannisberg (Rheingau) 11 Karthäuserhof Eitelsbach (Ruwer) Keller Flörsheim-Dalsheim (Rheinhessen) Schloss Lieser Lieser (Mosel) Dr. Loosen Bernkastel (Mosel) 18 Georg Mosbacher Forst (Pfalz) 19 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlen (Mosel) Willi Schaefer Graach (Mosel) Schäfer-Fröhlich Bockenau (Nahe) C. von Schubert sche Gutsverwaltung Maximin Grünhaus Mertesdorf (Ruwer) Selbach-Oster Zeltingen (Mosel) Phillip Veser (Mosel) 30 Vollenweider Traben-Trarbach (Mosel) Van Volxem Wiltingen (Saar) 33 Robert Weil Kiedrich (Rheingau) Weiser-Künstler Traben-Trarbach (Mosel) 36 Ziereisen Efringen-Kirchen (Baden) Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken Saarburg (Saar) Terms of Business 40 2

3 THE WINES Hermann Dönnhoff Oberhausen (Nahe) I have never seen such beautiful grapes in my entire career, reported Helmut Dönnhoff; they have never achieved ripeness levels of 100º Oechsle without the concentrating effects of botrytis, but this year healthy ones broke the barrier with ease. The handover from father to son Cornelius continues smoothly, as does the steady increase in the estate s size. The Kreuznacher Höllenpfad, a superlative vineyard of red sandstone with a long history of excellence, has been added to the portfolio. Helmut Dönnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Grosses Gewächs - DRY 2011 Clearly defined ripe peach fruit, shot through with fresh mineral flavours. Long, vibrant finish. 159 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Grosses Gewächs - DRY 2011 Hugely powerful, but showing great finesse and density, and a long mineral finish. Magnums (6-bottle case)

4 Hermann Dönnhoff (contd.) Oberhäuser Leistenberg Kabinett 2011 Sweet ripe lemon flavours, with elegant pithy grapefruit. Lots of energy on a juicy finish that is almost weightless. Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Türmchen Spätlese 2011 Great depth and intensity, with broad smooth mineral flavours and a hint of smoke. Fine finish Oberhäuser Brücke Spätlese 2011 Rich, ripe and decidedly tropical: mango mixed with vibrant citrus fruit, plus a hint of creaminess from botrytis. A mineral flourish on the long elegant finish. Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Spätlese 2011 Round and very fine peach fruit, with some botrytis adding weight. Intense and sweet with a balanced long finish. Magnums (6-bottle case) Jeroboams each Magnums (6-bottle case) Jeroboams each Oberhäuser Brücke Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Very rich and sweet, with a ripe zingy acid streak overlaid with creamy botrytis flavours. Vibrant finish. Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Typical intensity, power and aristocratic elegance. Lots of botrytis on a long fruit-driven finish. 240 Halves 240 Magnums 516 (6-bottle case) Jeroboams 149 each 264 Halves 264 Magnums 552 (6-bottle case) Jeroboams 149 each Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Trockenbeerenauslese 2009 Intensely concentrated, with fresh apricots and raisin fruit. Very sweet, racy acidity and an endless powerful finish. (Tasted in April 2010.) Tiny quantities available. Halves (6- bottle case) 900 Single bottles available 4

5 Fritz Haag Brauneberg (Mosel) One of the very best estates in Germany, with a lovely array of wines this year. A Trockenbeerenauslese will possibly be released later. Oliver Haag Brauneberger Kabinett 2011 Playful and elegant, with an attractive interplay of peach, citrus and mineral flavours. Very moreish. 51 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2011 Generous ripe fruit framed by fine mineral notes and a delicious racy acidity. Lots of power, but very fine and balanced. Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese # Beautifully balanced and fine, showing ripe generous fruit and pure mineral flavours. Effortless and lovely. Magnums each Magnums each Brauneberger Juffer Auslese Goldkapsel # Beautifully defined and very pure. A very clean botrytis gives a luscious note to the yellow fruit and zingy citrus flavours. Halves 156 5

6 Fritz Haag (contd.) Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese Goldkapsel # An extra dimension comes from vines clustered around the sundial. Superb intensity and balance. Finesse and length combine with purity and elegance. Very seductive. Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese Goldkapsel # More powerful than #9, and immensely concentrated, with pure botrytis flavours and a long fine finish. 189 Halves 195 Magnums 69 each 222 Halves 228 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Beerenauslese 2011 Subtle, fine and beautifully elegant, with clear ripe acid and citrus and apricot fruit. Very long and very delicious. Halves (6- bottle case) POA Single bottles available 6

7 Julian Haart Piesport (Mosel) A delightful discovery in Piesport. Julian Haart s parents are teachers, but his uncles are Theo Haart and Johann Haart, so in his youth the wine business was never far away. His wine education could scarcely have been more illustrious: Heymann-Löwenstein (a year), Emrich-Schönleber (two and a half years), Egon Müller (a year) and Klaus Keller (three years). On his return to Piesport, he took over a small half-hectare plot in the Wintricher Ohligsberg, planted with 50-year-old vines, followed by a hectare in the Piesporter Schubertslay, a unique plot with vines planted in 1904 on original rootstocks. Because it is so rocky, it escaped the Flurbereinigung of 1992, when vineyard holdings were rationalised, new roads built and an enormous amount of replanting was done. This is his second vintage, and a very promising start indeed. His goal is to make superlative dry wines, but they are brilliant and elegant across the entire range. He is striving for an expression of terroir rather than just fruit; fermentation is allowed to start naturally, and the cellar temperature is kept at a steady 20ºC. This allows the terroir to shine through. Julian Haart Riesling - DRY 2011 The Bourgogne of the range: ripe, round and rich, with good intensity and a fine mineral streak. Very enjoyable. Piesporter Riesling - DRY 2011 Village level. Soft, ripe and round, with mouth-filling fruit flavours and an almost salty mineral finish. Wintricher Riesling - DRY 2011 Fruity and powerful, with more weight than the Piesporter, showing grapefruit, tangerine and a hint of honey. Beautifully fine and smooth on the long mineral-driven finish

8 Julian Haart (contd.) Piesporter Goldtröpchen - DRY er cru level. Seamlessly elegant and fine rounded grapefruit, counterbalancing the rich creamy mineral elements and racy ripe acidity. Wintricher Ohligsberg DRY 2011 Broad ripe tangerine and pithy grapefruit, elegant enveloping minerality on the long finish. Piesporter Schubertslay Kabinett 2011 Sweet ripe, very clear fruit. Some minerality and bright acidity. Refreshing, pure and long. Piesporter Schubertslay Spätlese 2011 Spicy ripe fruit of great purity and elegance. Considerable density and a warming salty minerality emerging on the finish. Terroir? Jawohl! Wintricher Ohligsberg Auslese 2011 Spicy fruity nose with clear botrytis notes (40% of the grapes were affected). Beautifully creamy, rich and long, with a long smooth finish increasingly dominated by a fine minerality Halves 96 Reinhold Haart Piesport (Mosel) The Goldtröpchen has colder, thicker slate soils than other great sites in the Mosel, and the wines are consequently richer. This year the Haarts were very happy. The grapes were very ripe, and thick skins meant that there was only a very small amount of very late botrytis. The wines are big and very concentrated. Theo and Johannes Haart 8

9 Reinhold Haart (contd.) Piesporter Goldtröpchen Kabinett 2011 A riot of forward fruit, very powerful on the palate but balanced and light on its feet. Piesporter Goldtröpchen Spätlese 2011 Fabulously forward blackcurrant and red fruit notes backed by a powerful creamy minerality. Long bright finish. Piesporter Goldtröpchen Auslese 2011 Fantastically bright and full of energy. Ripe yellow fruit dominating, with strawberries and blackcurrants close behind in an exotic fruit salad. Very juicy and long. Piesporter Goldtröpchen Auslese GK 2011 Very concentrated, ripe and rich, showing a fine creamy botrytis and a riot of fruit Halves Halves 210 9

10 Heymann-Löwenstein Winningen (Mosel) The ebullient Reinhard Löwenstein grows grapes on the steepest slopes in the Mosel the Mosel terraces just above Koblenz, and he produces very powerful terroir-driven wines that need some years in the cellar before showing their true depth and complexity. This year, there was a small amount of botrytis at the beginning of the harvest, but from then on only healthy golden-yellow grapes were picked. Since last year he has been joined by his daughter Zara. Reinhard and Zara Löwenstein Von Blauen Schiefer - DRY 2011 Ripe, soft and elegant, with attractive fruit and spicy mineral flavours. Kirchberg 1. Lage - DRY 2011 Lively and forward, showing salty mineral flavours with herb notes. Uhlen Roth Lay 1. Lage DRY 2011 Regal and poised, with huge reserves of power, but nonetheless surprisingly approachable Winninger Röttgen Trockenbeerenauslese 2011 Viscous and sweet, with lashings of mirabelle, apricot jam and spice. A gentle mineral warmth on the finish. Very lovely indeed. Halves (6- bottle case) 900 Single bottles available 10

11 Johannishof Johannisberg (Rheingau) Another lovely run of elegant, balanced wines from this reliable estate in Johannisberg. Johannes and Sabine Eser Johannisberger V Kabinett 2011 Attractive interplay of citrus fruit and clear mineral flavours. Vibrant and well balanced. Johannisberg Klaus Spätlese 2011 Ripe yellow berry fruit with citrus and juicy peach notes. Good mineral tension and vibrant acidity keep it light on its feet. Long, slightly honeyed finish. Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Auslese 2011 The ripeness of 2003, but lots more acidity. Very ripe and rich, with creamy botrytis flavours, good energy and an intense finish Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Beerenuauslese 2011 Ripe and rich, but very fresh and intense. Peach, apricot and gentle mineral flavours drive to a pure long finish. Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Trockenbeerenauslese 2011 Sweet and raisined, with beautifully clean fresh apricot and barley sugar flavours, and a vibrant pure honeyed finish. Halves (6- bottle case) Halves (6- bottle case)

12 Karthäuserhof Eitelsbach (Ruwer) 2011 is the bicentenary of the Tyrell family s ownership of the estate, and Christoph Tyrell considers it one of the best produced in that time, though we were unfortunately not able to verify this claim by tasting through the greatest vintages of the last two hundred years. What is beyond doubt is that the 2011s are spectacular from top to bottom. At the top of the range there are a fantastic number of Auslesen, BA and TBA. Chrstoph Tyrell Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Kabinett 2011 Sweet, ripe and juicy peach and lemon fruit, combining with an attractive minerality. Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Spätlese 2011 Peach and tropical fruit suspended weightlessly among fine mineral flavours. Effortless and intense. Lovely!

13 Karthäuserhof (contd.) Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Auslese 2011 Depth and ripeness from golden-yellow berries. Very focussed, balanced and long. Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Auslese # Ripe peaches, pears and quince fruit with a hint of botrytis that adds creaminess and a touch of spice. Long rich finish. Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Auslese # Very mineral-driven, with delicate citrus fruit and zingy acidity that drives to a long finish. Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Auslese # Fine and elegant, with creamy botrytis flavours and a lovely juicy minerality. Good length and intensity Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Beerenauslese # Not a powerhouse, but rather a gentle and intense wine that unfurls elegantly across the palate, leaving impressions of apricot, peach, mango and fine mineral flavours. Very seductive. 3-bottlecase Halves (6- bottle case) Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Beerenauslese # Not tasted Halves (6- bottle case) Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Beerenauslese # Not tasted Halves (6- bottle case) Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Trockenbeerenauslese # Very clean, enormously fine and elegant. Sometimes wine at this level can be aggressive, but there is no trace of that here: there is a purity and gentle persistence that is tremendously seductive. A must-have for TBA enthusiasts. Halves (6- bottle case) 600 Single bottles available Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Trockenbeerenauslese # Not tasted. Halves (6- bottle case) Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Trockenbeerenauslese # Not tasted. Halves (6- bottle case) 672 Single bottles available 762 Single bottles available 13

14 Keller Flörsheim-Dalsheim (Rheinhessen) Yet another superb year across the board from superstar Klaus-Peter Keller. The uneven weather conditions were particularly challenging, but optimum ripeness was achieved through timely intervention and patience. Grape maturation was slowed by the removal of young leaves from the top of the trellis, which are most responsible for production of sugars, and there was less maceration time before pressing. The Grosse Gewächse will be offered later in the year. Klaus-Peter & Julia Keller Riesling von der Fels - DRY 2011 Made from young vines in the top sites of Kirchspiel and Hubacker. Clear peach and spice flavours with a gentle mineral kick. Persistent and well balanced. Very appealing. Westhofen Kirchspiel Spätlese 2011 Pure yellow fruit, fresh and poised. Very straight, fine and almost weightless. Westhofen Brunnenhäuschen Abst. E. Spätlese 2011 Packed with yellow fruit: peaches and mirabelles, and some strawberry. Fine mineral notes on a long finish. A wine of great elegance. Westhofen Kirchspiel Auslese 2011 Pointed and charming lemon and ripe yellow fruit. Good intensity and length, driving to a mineral finish

15 Keller (contd.) Dalsheimer Hubacker Auslese*** 2011 Clay soils give creamy intensity, compounded by a pure botrytis. Fresh apricot jam, peach and ripe mango framed by pointed citrus flavours and a gentle minerality. Very seductive. 3-bottlecase Halves (6-bottle case) Niesteiner Pettenthal Auslese 2011 Not tasted 246 Niesteiner Pettenthal Beerenauslese 2011 Not tasted 390 Westhofen Kirchspiel Trockenbeerenauslese 2011 Very ripe citrus, apricot and mineral flavours; very zingy on the palate, and a long barley sugar finish. Extremely pure and appealing. Dalsheimer Hubacker Trockenbeerenauslese 2011 Broad and spicy with lovely fresh apricot flavours and a rich mineral vein on the endless finish. 14 Westhofen Brunnenhäuschen Abst. E. Trockenbeerenauslese 2011 The most concentrated and intense of all. Very rich raisined fruit with lots of fresh apricot spread. Clean and pure. The taste lingers in the mouth for half an hour after swallowing. 14 Halves (6-bottle case) Halves (6-bottle case) Halves (6-bottle case) 800 Single bottles available 984 Single bottles available 1,572 Single bottles available 15

16 Schloss Lieser Lieser (Mosel) Thomas Haag has done it again and produced some of the best 2011s that we have tasted. This modest, almost shy man has the ability to tease out every nuance of terroir from his vineyards. The resulting wines have an energy that makes them stand out, and each has a crystalline purity. They are made in an uncompromising style, reductively, with wild yeasts, which makes them less polished than some others immediately after bottling, but a year later they shine brilliantly. This is one of the top five estates in Germany, though its prices have not yet caught up with its reputation. Unfortunately we can never get enough wine, especially at the upper levels, and this year yields were smaller even than in Two superlative Grosse Gewächse will be released later in the year. Please contact us if you are interested. Thomas Haag Schloss Lieser Kabinett 2011 Soft ripe peach fruit counterbalanced by zingy slaty notes. Very appealing. Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett 2011 Elegant ripe apple and peach fruit, perfectly poised and smooth. Cracking stuff. Lieser Niederberg Helden Spätlese 2011 Peachy fruit, salty minerals and zingy ripe acidity combine in a beautifully poised package. Very moreish Magnums Magnums 78 16

17 Schloss Lieser (contd.) Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Spätlese # Generous ripe yellow stone fruit with mineral warmth unfolding on the palate. Very pure and fine. One of the best Spätlesen tasted this year. Lieser Niederberg Helden Auslese 2011 Ripe yellow stone fruit, minerally complex and intense. Beautifully deep and elegant. Lieser Niederberg Helden Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Crackling with energy. Elegant, beautifully rounded peach fruit and lively ripe citrus flavours with creamy botrytis notes. Incredibly pure. Lieser Niederberg Helden Auslese Lange Goldkapsel 2011 Lots of very clean botrytis that is kept light by the brisk citrus acidity. A fine minerality that gathers power towards the intense finish. Very complex and effortless. Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Very pure, with a discreet note of botrytis (20%). Clean, fresh, vibrant and finely textured, with a melting, elegant finish. Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese Lange Goldkapsel 2011 Lots of botrytis (50-60%) gives an incredibly concentrated wine that remains beautifully taut and vibrant, with superbly long elegant finish. 69 Magnums Halves Halves Halves Halves 222 Lieser Niederberg Helden Beerenauslese 2011 Thick and rich, with great intensity of fruit and great finesse. Taut, vibrant and long. 3-bottlecase Halves (6- bottle case)

18 Dr. Loosen Bernkastel (Mosel) One of the world s most charismatic and gifted wine growers was on top form once again. He and his winemaker Bernie Schug have produced an array of very attractive wines that will give enormous pleasure. Ernie Loosen Erdener Treppchen Kabinett 2011 Fresh strawberry and citrus nose, with hints of mango. Very elegant and an appealing minerality on the vibrant finish. 51 Erdener Treppchen Spätlese 2011 Juicy red fruits, peach and mirabelle in a racy dense package. 78 Erdener Treppchen Auslese 2011 Lots of energy in this vibrant strawberry, citrus fruit and mineral-driven wine. Very exciting. Erdener Prälat Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 A Beerenauslese. Very present fine botrytis, sweet and spicy fruit and powerful mineral flavours. Intense long finish. 108 Halves

19 Georg Mosbacher Forst (Pfalz) Sabine Mosbacher and Jürgen Düringer continue to makes the most elegant wines in the Pfalz. They are easy to overlook in a tasting line up of ripe blockbusters, but when it comes to actually drinking them, they win every time. A disastrous spring frost damaged a significant portion of the estate s vineyards, so quantities are much reduced. Sabine and Jürgen Mosbacher-Düringer Deidesheimer Leinhöhle trocken - DRY 2011 Soft and round, with pronounced mineral flavours that balance delicate ripe fruit. Forster Musenhang trocken - DRY 2011 Vibrant and intense, with lemony richness and persistent minerality on the long finish. Bundsandstein - DRY 2011 From the Wachenheimer Gerümpel. Very floral, round, rich and ripe, held in balance by brisk acidity. Delicious. Ungeheuer Forst Grosses Gewächs - DRY 2011 Masculine and mineral, with ripe peach fruit and racy acidity. Very intense and elegant

20 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlen (Mosel) A beautifully elegant array of wines from this most famous of German estates. Manfred, Amei and Katharina Prüm Estate Kabinett 2011 Fresh peach and mineral flavours, taut and precise. 48 Magnums (6-bottle case) 114 Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2011 Forward fruit with smoky notes and a delicious peachy middle. Bright and fresh. Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett 2011 Broad mineral flavours encase a dense core of ripe peach and floral fruit. Zingy and long. Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett 2011 Exuberant floral fruit, with very fine mineral flavours. Elegant smooth finish

21 Joh. Jos. Prüm (contd.) Bernkasteler Badstube Spätlese 2011 Sweet and very ripe fruit with a pleasant minerality. Very accessible now. Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese 2011 Excellent balance of clean citrus fruit and fresh mineral flavours. Long gentle salty finish. Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2011 Forward ripe fruit, tending towards the tropical, and very finely textured. Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2011 The peach, pear and citrus fruit, fine mineral flavours and juicy acidity are in such harmony as to make the wine almost weightless. Another dimension Halves 114 Magnums 120 Bernkasteler Badstube Auslese 2011 Ripe, forward, well balanced and very delicious. 96 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese 2011 Ripe golden berry flavours shine through, balanced by taut mineral flavours. Very intense and rich. Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2011 Yellow stone fruit mirabelle and peach combining with very fine pure mineral flavours give a creamy roundness to this very long elegant wine. A hint of spice and fresh herbs on the finish. Bernkasteler Badstube Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Lots of forward yellow fruit covers the minerality, which will need time to come through. Intense, slightly honeyed finish. Graacher Himmelreich Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Creamy pure botrytis with cool mineral flavours on the palate, joined by ripe pear and mirabelle fruit. Subtle and fine. Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Easily a BA. Smooth, very lively ripe yellow fruit, primarily apricot, with strawberry notes. Very fine and long. Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Beautifully poised and almost weightless, which is astonishing given its density: packed with yellow fruit and very polished mineral flavours, and a finish lasting minutes. One of the finest wines of Halves 132 Magnums Halves 276 Magnums 99 21

22 Willi Schaefer Graach (Mosel) No one understands the soils of Graach better than this father and son team. They have produced a fantastic range of wines in Christoph and Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Grosses Gewächs 2011 Very powerful and rich, with clear ripe fruit and a bracing minerality. Long elegant finish. Estate Riesling 2011 Very deep and juicy, with elegant ripe fruit and a mineral flourish on the finish. Very seductive. Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett 2011 Attractive elegant peach fruit with a hint of pith. Bright and full of energy. Very exciting. One of the best Kabinetts we tasted. Graacher Domprobst Kabinett 2011 Power, depth and concentration are not the sort of terms normally used at this level, but here we have it all. Taut, clear and very elegant

23 Willi Schaefer (contd.) Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese 2011 Golden yellow fruit with ripe racy acid and an elegant mineral finish. Complete harmony and great vibrancy. Graacher Domprobst Spätlese # It does not come more seductive than this. Silky golden yellow fruit balanced by racy acid, very precise and pure, with creamy mineral flavours on the finish. Weightless. Fandabidoozy! Graacher Domprobst Spätlese # More depth and weight than the #10, but still light on its feet. Big mass of racy acid and mineral power in mid-palate to balance the intense, slightly creamy yellow fruit. Graacher Domprobst Auslese # Forward and fruity with smooth botrytis flavours to balance the pithy grapefruit mineral notes. Creamy and long, with big reserves of power and lots of zing. Very approachable now. Graacher Domprobst Auslese # Elegance and finesse belie the intense concentration. Some botrytis joins the crystal-clear yellow stone fruit. Very fresh and lively, with a harmonious, rounded finish. 75 Magnums Magnums Magnums Halves Halves 249 Graacher Domprobst Beerenauslese # litres made, and easily a TBA in style. Very honeyed, intense and pure, with rich dense yellow fruit and an endless, elegant finish. 3-bottlecase Halves (6- bottle case)

24 Schäfer-Fröhlich Bockenau (Nahe) Tim Fröhlich is now one of the shining stars of the Nahe. Showered with awards, this quietly confident grower is a man at the top of his game. Like all great winemakers, he is constantly scrutinising each step in the winemaking process and finding ways to do things better. His 2011s are brilliant, building on the success of his excellent 2009s and 2010s. Tim Fröhlich Riesling vom Vulkangestein - DRY 2011 Old vines give a beautifully rounded and intense wine with notes of spice, peach fruit and a salty minerality. Bockenauer Riesling vom Schiefergestein - DRY 2011 Very fresh, ripe and soft, with clear peach and pithy grapefruit flavours. Very long salty finish. Halenberg Grosses Gewächs - DRY 2011 Deep and round, with ripe citrus fruit and blueberry fruit. Very focussed and ripe, and a long mineral-driven finish. Felseneck Grosses Gewächs - DRY 2011 Beautifully pointed, clear and intense fruit with considerable richness on the palate. Lots of power and energy, and a long precise mineral finish. As astonishing wine: one of the best dry wines of the vintage Bockenauer Kabinett vom Schiefergestein 2011 Fresh and vibrant yellow stone fruit with a crisp mineral finish

25 Schäfer-Fröhlich (contd.) Bockenauer Felseneck Spätlese 2011 Floral and ripe yellow peach nose, beautifully elegant and playful, almost weightless on the palate. Vibrant long finish. Bockenauer Felseneck Spätlese Goldkapsel 2011 Old vines give great intensity. Yellow stone fruit and some tropical notes mingle with creamy mineral flavours, held together by deliciously zingy ripe citrus acidity. Very long, beautifully balanced finish Bockenauer Felseneck Auslese 2011 Still fermenting during our visit, and not tasted. Halves 204 Bockenauer Felseneck Beerenauslese 2011 Still fermenting during our visit, and not tasted. Halves (6- bottle case)

26 C. von Schubert sche Gutsverwaltung - Maximin Grünhaus Mertesdorf (Ruwer) Another superlative year at Grünhaus: the long growing season and lack of botrytis produced a range of exceptionally pure wines which perfectly reflect what is acknowledged to be one of the best terroirs in Germany. This year there is a regular Auslese, but also no less than four numbered ones. Not only one of the best estates in Germany, but one of the world s finest. Carl and Renate von Schubert Abstberg Trocken Alte Reben DRY 2011 Rounded ripe fruit, with depth, power and considerable elegance. Abstberg Superior DRY 2011 Made from grapes of Auslese ripeness, this is very fine and pure, with considerable depth of flavour and a superb mineral finish. Abstberg Kabinett 2011 Ripe peach, mango and freshly cut herbs on the nose, with a beautiful lightness on the palate and a long creamy mineral finish. A lovely Kabinett

27 Maximin Grünhaus (contd.) Abstberg Spätlese 2011 As close to effortless as it gets: perfectly balanced tropical fruit, mineral and ripe zingy acidity in an almost weightless package. Abstberg Auslese 2011 More depth, power and finesse than the Spätlese. Mango and mineral interplay on the palate, and it finishes very long. Herrenberg Auslese # Ripe peach, gooseberry and grassy nose, very pure and angular on the palate, framed by a fine minerality. Long soft honeyed finish. Abstberg Auslese # From a parcel of particularly ripe golden berries. Bright, pure and long, but elegant rather than powerful. Pure mango and well-delineated mineral flavours mingle on the palate. Very long and fine. Abstberg Auslese # A gentle botrytis gives creaminess and sweetness to the peach and gooseberry fruit. A fine minerality and ripe acidity give structure. Deep long honeyed finish. Abstberg Auslese # Very concentrated and meltingly elegant, combining denselywoven ripe fruit with intense mineral flavours. Extremely long. One of the very best 2011s we tasted. 69 Magnums 75 Double- 72 Magnum each WOODEN CASE 114 Halves Halves Halves Halves Halves

28 Selbach-Oster Zeltingen (Mosel) Yet another great year at this estate. Johannes Selbach s wines are now unquestionably close to the top of the Mosel league table. He continues to work on producing terroir wines by selecting grapes in the traditional manner. Taking the best parcels in his vineyards the dark red bits on the old Prussian tax map, which commanded the highest prices and taxes he has picked in one pass, putting all ripeness levels together in the same vat. The resulting wines show elements of each ripeness level in one wine: the vibrancy of a perfectly balanced Spätlese for instance, with the golden yellow ripeness of an Auslese. Johannes Selbach Zeltinger Schlossberg Spätlese 2011 Soft and elegant, with appealing yellow fruit and a gentle minerality. Long fresh finish. Zeltinger Himmelreich Anrecht 2011 Harvesting in one pass gives an extraordinary complexity the green, ripe, and botrytised grapes each bring out a facet of the terroir. Sweet, ripe and very fine. Creamy botrytis flavours mingle with ripe golden fruit. Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese 2011 Very focussed, with a pure apricot and peach nose, a gentle warming minerality and a long fruity finish

29 Selbach-Oster (contd.) Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Rotlay 2011 Picked in a single block with the aim of remaining true to the terroir, the wines has a creaminess derived from a very fine botrytis, elegantly integrated mineral structure and a vibrant ripe mirabelle and mango finish. Rotlay refers to the red tinge of soil in the best part of the vineyard. 108 Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese Schmitt 2011 Not tasted. 114 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese** 2011 A Beerenauslese style: very rich, with dense but very clean and pure botrytis flavours. Ripe yellow fruit and a persistent balancing acidity. Some mineral flavours peeking through, and a long barley sugar finish. 144 Halves

30 Philipp Veser (Mosel) The talented and meticulous Philipp Veser makes wines very much in the style of Thomas Haag, of whom he is the indispensable right-hand man. The quality is outstanding. Philipp Veser Mülheimer Sonnenlay Kabinett 2011 It is testimony to this wine that, when tasted after the Schloss Lieser Beerenauslese, it more than held its own. Vibrant, generous peach and red fruits, lemony acidity and a brisk finish. Hard to beat, especially at this price

31 Vollenweider Traben-Trarbach (Mosel) A wonderful vintage here. Daniel Vollenweider was extremely happy with the result, and has managed to make his wines finer than ever. Daniel Vollenweider Wolfger Goldgrube Kabinett 2011 Lively citrus and peach fruit, a ripe rounded middle palate and a brisk mineral finish. Delicious. Wolfger Goldgrube Spätlese 2011 A beautifully balanced wine: each element is clearly delineated and it is fine and weightless on the palate. Very pure, fresh and long. Wolfger Goldgrube Spätlese Goldkapsel 2011 From older vines that give a rich, deep wine with golden yellow fruit flavours, purity and elegance and a vigorous kick of ripe acidity. The minerality hovers on the edge of the palate, and comes through on the long finish Magnums 93 31

32 Daniel Vollenweider (contd.) Wolfger Goldgrube Auslese Goldkapsel 2011 Very intense botrytis that remains fresh and pure, notes of raisins and spice, ripe citrus acidity and a very long rich finish. Essentially a BA, and thus a bargain! 3-bottlecase 108 Halves 114 Magnums 84 Each Wolfger Goldgrube Beerenauslese 2011 Still fermenting during our visit, and not tasted. 3-bottlecase Halves (6- bottle case) Wolfger Goldgrube Trockenbeerenauslese 2011 Still fermenting during our visit, and not tasted. 3-bottlecase Halves (6- bottle case)

33 Van Volxem Wiltingen (Saar) The indefatigable Roman Niewodniczanski, assisted by his winemaker Dominic Volk, is producing ever finer wines from their top Saar sites. He is still acquiring steep vineyards with old vines that others consider too much work to manage, and his estate has now reached a considerable size. Roman Niewodniczanski Rotschiefer Kabinett 2011 From young vines at the top of the Wiltinger Gottesfuss, where the soil is red. Fruit-driven and spicy, with an appealing broad structure on the palate, a gentle minerality and a brisk finish. 45 Saar Riesling - DRY 2011 Beautifully vibrant, rich and long. Intense and fine. 42 Scharzhofberger - DRY 2011 Still fermenting during our visit and not tasted. 78 Goldberg - DRY 2011 Still fermenting during our visit and not tasted. 71 Scharzhofberger Pergentskopp - DRY 2011 Still fermenting during our visit and not tasted. 126 Altenberg Alte Reben - DRY 2011 From the best part of the best vineyard in Kanzem, a dizzyingly steep slate slope. Very rich, ripe and round, with beautifully focussed fruit and very fine mineral flavours on the finish

34 Robert Weil Kiedrich (Rheingau) We are delighted to import the wines of this famous estate, one of the few in the Rheingau achieving its full potential. With 70 hectares under vine, this is big business by the standards of most German quality estates, and its opulent old villa and large visitor centre give the impression of a first-growth Bordeaux château. Despite the scale of the operation, enormous efforts to ensure the best possible quality are repaid with superb wines of great finesse and polish. The entire cellar complex is being rebuilt in time for the 2012 harvest, which will no doubt improve the quality of the wine still further. Robert Weil Kiedrich Gräfenberg Erstes Gewächs 2011 Made with 100% wild yeast this year. Very elegant and polished peach fruit with fine mineral notes. Fresh, balanced and long. Robert Weil Kabinett 2011 Pure, elegant, and fine, with delicious broad grapefruit and mineral flavours. Kiedrich Gräfenberg Spätlese 2011 Very restrained and poised, but there is intense yellow fruit leaning heavily to tropical grapefruit, pineapple and mango. Vibrant and juicy with good mineral weight in mid-palate, and a long dense finish. Kiedrich Gräfenberg Auslese 2011 Very elegant and sweet tropical fruit, balanced by dense mineral flavours. Fine, rich and long barley sugar finish Halves 306 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Beerenauslese 2011 Very restrained and clean with an astonishing intensity lurking below the polished surface. Ripe yellow fruit and a note of woodland honey, bright acid and a long thick finish. Halves (6- bottle-case) 624 Single bottles available 34

35 Robert Weil (contd.) Kiedrich Gräfenberg Trockenbeerenauslese 2011 Huge everything, but so vibrant that it s astonishingly light. Tooth-numbingly sweet, very pure, with raisined fresh fruit and lashings of mineral on the finish. A quite stunning wine of enormous concentration and elegance. One of the finest TBAs we tasted this year. Single bottle 430 Single half

36 Weiser-Künstler Traben-Trarbach (Mosel) The remarkable story of Konstantin Weiser and Alexandra Künstler continues. Like their friend Daniel Vollenweider, they continue to produce fantastic wines from vineyards so hard to work that they have been given up by others as unviable. The quality is consistently dazzling. Konstantin Weiser Enkircher Ellergrub Kabinett 2011 Very linear, with a lemon-dominated ripe fruit and good mineral length. Enkircher Ellergrub Spätlese 2011 Understated and fine, this gives juicy yellow fruit, lemony acidity and ripe mineral flavours held in perfect suspension. Long honeyed finish. Enkircher Ellergrub Auslese 2011 A fine botrytis adds considerable richness, but fresh lemony acidity and vibrant mineral flavours keep it light on its feet. Lots of depth on a long pure apricot-driven finish Halves 150 Enkircher Ellergrub Beerenauslese 2011 Only 75 litres made. Very intense and thick, dominated by pure botrytis. Fantastic concentration and elegance, classy long finish. A very appealing BA indeed. Halves (6- bottle-case)

37 Ziereisen Efringen-Kirchen (Baden) After a long search for good German Pinot Noir, we came across the maverick Hanspeter Ziereisen, and hit the jackpot. Based close to the Swiss and French borders just north of Basel, he makes a selection of Pinot Noirs (and a host of other varietals) that offer both purity and value. His vineyards are on a south-facing slope overlooking Basel, the vines grow at an altitude between 250 and 400 metres, and there is a constant breeze, allowing slower ripening. He does not chaptalize, and uses 10% new wood across the range. The musts are handled very gently, with no punching down and little extraction. Hanspeter Ziereisen Jaspis Grauer Burgunder (Pinot Gris) 2009 Clean, fresh and long, with considerable muscle and no trace of fat. Jaspis Syrah 2009 Very forward blackberry and white pepper fruit. Harmonious long finish Schulen Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) 2009 Appealing floral red fruit nose, with an understated elegance and good balance on the palate. Long strawberry finish. Rhini Spätburgunder 2009 Made from a local clone. Pretty red fruit on the nose, and lovely depth on the palate. Fine, smooth and long. Jaspis Spätburgunder 2009 Sweet ripe, primarily red fruit but with hints of black hedgerow. Very fine on the palate, with spiced plum notes and smoky flavours. Elegant tannins and a long fruity finish

38 Ziereisen (contd.) Jaspis Spätburgunder Alte Reben 2008 Deep, rich and long, with considerable structure and complexity. Silky red fruits with smoky notes and a clearly defined minerality. Ripe long finish. 270 Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken Saarburg (Saar) The wines here are the epitome of Saar Riesling: graceful, vibrant and mineral-driven. A particularly successful year for Hanno Zilliken and his daughter Dorothee: they have produced a superb range of beautifully pure polished wines. Hanno Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Kabinett # Scented floral nose with some peach and tropical fruit. Very elegant and rounded with fresh acid and a gentle minerality. A treat

39 Zilliken (contd.) Saarburger Rausch Spätlese # Delightfully playful and almost weightless. Pure, intense, ripe and very long. Saarburger Rausch Auslese # Very intense, juicy and ripe, with great freshness and concentration. Fruit dominating at present, but a fine minerality hovers discreetly in the background. Deep and extraordinarily long. 90 Magnums Halves 162 A Selection of Older Vintages made available by the estate: Saarburger Rausch Auslese # One of the Saar s great years: 100% botrytis now maturing and approachable. 111 Saarburger Rausch Auslese # Richer than the #7, and will make old bones. 147 Saarburger Rausch Auslese # Another one of the Saar s great years, now mature and delicious. 156 Saarburger Rausch Auslese Goldkapsel # One of Germany s greatest years. 420 Saarburger Rausch Auslese Lange Goldkapsel # Very ripe, powerful and rare

40 Terms of Business 1. All wines are offered subject to remaining unsold. 2. Prices for 2011s are under bond. 3. Unless otherwise indicated, wines may be purchased by the case only. 4. Free delivery in mainland UK on orders over 600 excluding VAT, otherwise at cost. Minimum charge 11 plus VAT. Customers outside mainland UK are responsible for their own shipping arrangements. 5. All wines are sold in good faith but we shall not be liable if a grower fails to supply a wine or if it is lost or damaged in transit. In such very rare cases, another wine or a cash refund will be offered. 6. Please note well that no claims for breakages or shortages can be entertained unless this has been noted on the carrier s delivery note and we are informed within 24 hours of receipt by telephone or in writing within three days. 7. The wines of certain estates may not be exported from the UK. Please contact us for details. 8. Approved trade accounts: payment 30 days after date of invoice. Private customers: cheque with order or payment by credit card, please. 9. Force majeure: we shall not be liable for any failure to meet our obligations occasioned by circumstances beyond our control. 10. Goods remain the property of Howard Ripley Limited until paid for in full. 11. Unless otherwise indicated, shipment of 2011s will be by Spring Customers will be informed of the arrival of their wines in the UK. 12. This list cancels all previous lists. This list and its contents are Howard Ripley Limited. E. & O.E. June 2012 Howard Ripley Ltd. Specialists in domaine-bottled Burgundy & German Wines. 18 Madrid Road London SW13 9PD Tel: Fax: sebastian.thomas@howardripley.com ben.furst@howardripley.com 40