Wine Spectator (98)

This packs a lot of fun, with a wallop of blackberry, fig, boysenberry and açai berry compote flavors working together, laced with a mouthwatering licorice snap note and driven by a fresh, well-detailed finish. A roasted apple wood accent is integrated as well, lending textural contrast through the vivacious finish. Best from 2030 through 2055. 350 cases made

Vinous (98)

The 2017 Dow’s Vintage Port showed a slight reduction and required more time to really open in the glass. Typical of Dow’s it has a more backward and introspective bouquet compared to its peers, scents of blackberry, clove, wild mint, cassis and vanilla, gradually gaining more intensity with aeration. The palate is simply glorious. It is built around a compelling tannic frame that seems finer than any Dow’s I have encountered apart from the ethereal 2011. There is so much energy coiled up in this Port, a sense of symmetry that is enthralling and yet you just know that it needs to be cellared for 15-20 years for it to reveal its full potential. For serious Port-lovers. One of the vintages most cerebral offerings. Total production is 5,250 cases.

Vinous (98)

The 2017 Dow’s Vintage Port showed a slight reduction and required more time to really open in the glass. Typical of Dow’s it has a more backward and introspective bouquet compared to its peers, scents of blackberry, clove, wild mint, cassis and vanilla, gradually gaining more intensity with aeration. The palate is simply glorious. It is built around a compelling tannic frame that seems finer than any Dow’s I have encountered apart from the ethereal 2011. There is so much energy coiled up in this Port, a sense of symmetry that is enthralling and yet you just know that it needs to be cellared for 15-20 years for it to reveal its full potential. For serious Port-lovers. One of the vintages most cerebral offerings. Total production is 5,250 cases.

Wine Advocate (95+)

The 2019 Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese (Gold Capsule) is concentrated, fresh and pure on the intense and complex nose that reveals a delicate and crystalline slate aroma. Lush and piquant on the palate, this is a highly delicate, finessed and stimulatingly salty Auslese with precise and perfectly ripe, elegant fruit. A fabulous Prälat, tasted from AP 59 20 in September 2020. 9% alcohol.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2019 Erdener Treppchen Riesling GG Alte Reben comes from two very old plots adjacent the Prälat (the upper part of the former original Treppchen and the lower Herzlay) that have never been replanted since long before World War I. It shows a clear, intense yet subtle and deep, highly complex but also refined bouquet of very fine red slate and herbal aromas as well as perfectly clear and elegant Riesling fruits. Silky textured, highly finessed and perfectly balanced on the palate, this is a very intense and juicy, enormously long and concentrated yet finessed and mouthwatering Treppchen with the crystalline grip of broken slate and the intensity and complexity of biblical vines in a great terroir. The 2019 Treppchen is arguably the finest dry wine I have ever tasted from Ernie Loosen. Highly recommended. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Wine Advocate (96+)

From volcanic soils, the 2019 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling GG Alte Reben is beautifully clear, fresh and subtle on the precise and highly finessed bouquet of slate, iodine and herbal scents. The warm and elegant Riesling fruit intertwined with very fine herbal notes represents the very best of this exceptional grand cru in its original, much smaller size. Almost entirely sourced from the Urglück, this is a lush and intense, enormously powerful yet restrained and slatey Würzgarten GG with crystalline acidity that leads to a long, intense and still slightly astringent finish with refreshing lemon features. This wine is still developing and has the potential to become another giant of the vintage. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Wine Advocate (96)

From vines planted in 1911 or earlier in the Laichen lieu-dit, Loosen's 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling GG Alte Reben is sylphlike, highly delicate and fine in its multilayered, fruity, floral and crunchy/flinty bouquet that reveals very fine slate aromas and even salty notes. Absolutely fabulous! Silky textured, lush and generous yet highly finessed, this is an intense yet subtle, pure and minerally fresh Riesling from one of the Mosel's finest vineyard. The finish is long, fresh, piquant and sustainably structured as well as salty. Irresistible. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Vinous (90)

Cheesy post-fermentative notes mingle with sweaty and musky scents to give the nose an intriguing cast, but one that many tasters will not find enticing. With that come overripe pear and faded lily perfume. The palate is glossy and lush though naturally alcoholically light, with inner-mouth perfume accentuating the decadent impression conveyed by the wine’s pear and quince fruit. The unabashedly sweet finish is impressive for sheer persistence, but lacks the freshness delivered by the corresponding Spätlese A.P. #3 or the salinity exhibited by the Spätlese A.P. #4. This reminds me of what I consider the more typical Thanisch Doctor Spätlesen and Auslesen of a decade or two ago: wines that gained definition and enhanced complexity with bottle age, but in their youth showed decadently overripe and surprisingly soft.

Vinous (91)

The cooling mint and incisive nips of cress observed in some other Thanisch bottlings from this vintage are, rather surprisingly, also present in a Doctor wine, as is downright refreshing primary juiciness. That said, the opulently ripe fruit character – tending toward honeydew and Persian melons – as well as musky narcissus scents and textural richness on a glycerol-slicked palate are all typical Doctor. The sustained finish, modest in sweetness, perpetuates a combination of caress with stimulation and of richness with refreshment.

Vinous (90)

Ripe quince and Golden Delicious apple are wreathed in musky narcissus and tinged with pungency of bruised apple skin on a nose that foreshadows the almost decadently ripe fruit and inner-mouth perfume, but also the counterpoint of chew and piquancy, that emerges on the polished, buoyant palate. Fresh lime injects welcome juiciness and animation to a lusciously lingering finish where high residual sugar is held in check. Interestingly for a vintage in which many growers found it challenging to capture ripeness at a must weight appropriate to Kabinett, the volume of this bottling slightly exceeds the aggregate volume of the present collection’s two Doctor Spätlesen.

Vinous (90)

Persian melon and pear tinged with spearmint on the nose translate into succulence on a subtly creamy, sorbet-like palate. The soothingly sustained finish is coolingly mint-laced. Will greater complexity or a mineral dimension emerge with time in bottle?

Immerse yourself in the exquisite finesse of Dr Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auktion 2008, a gem hailing from the prestigious Mosel region of Germany. This single vineyard Riesling, crafted by the distinguished Thanisch estate that has commendably maintained centuries-old traditions, represents pure hedonistic pleasure for the discerning palate.

The Dr Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auktion 2008 emanates a captivating bouquet of exotic fruits, layered with notes of honey and refined minerality. Its perfectly balanced sweetness and acidity tantalise the palate, ensuring a prolonged finish of sublime complexity.

Aged in traditional large oak foudres, this remarkable wine showcases the brilliance of the legendary Bernkasteler Doctor vineyard's slate-rich soils. Elegant and alluring, the Dr Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auktion 2008 is a testament to the extraordinary harmony of time, terroir, and craftsmanship. A sublime classic that amplifies the timeless allure of quality German Riesling.

The Dr Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auktion 2011 is a quintessence of premium Mosel winemaking techniques. Exquisitely hailing from the prestigious Doctor vineyard in Bernkastel, it epitomises Dr. Thanisch's commitment to capturing the essence of terroir in every bottle. The distinct slate soil imbues the grapes with a remarkable mineral complexity, whilst the 'Spatlese' denomination illustrates a late harvest selection, emphasising the enticing balance of intensity and delicate sweetness.

The riesling grapes undergo meticulous hand-picking, followed by a gentle pressing process, ensuring only the highest quality juices are fermented in traditional century old Fuder barrels. One is assailed by charming notes of ripe apricot, apple, and exotic fruits harmoniously melded with a sophisticated minerality and riveting acidity. The Dr Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auktion 2011 exemplifies an unrivalled vintage, enabling wine connoisseurs to indulge in a sensory journey of Mosel grandeur.

Vinous (92+)

Apricot pit, lime zest and clove on the beguiling nose. The delicate nectarine fruit and creamy texture are held aloft by nutmeg and mineral salts. Bright and lively wine, with a slatey element providing spice on a long, enticing finish. This in my favorite Riesling in this year's line-up.

Vinous (92+)

Apricot pit, lime zest and clove on the beguiling nose. The delicate nectarine fruit and creamy texture are held aloft by nutmeg and mineral salts. Bright and lively wine, with a slatey element providing spice on a long, enticing finish. This in my favorite Riesling in this year's line-up.

From the revered vineyards of Mosel, Germany, the Dr Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auktion 2016 is an enchanting manifestation of rich heritage and exceptional winemaking craft. Crafted by the esteemed Dr. Thanisch estate, famous for their unwavering commitment to quality and exclusivity, this captivating Riesling is sourced from their esteemed "Doctor" vineyard, an illustrious site steeped in wine history. The 2016 vintage is enticingly fruit-rich, offering a bouquet of ripe apricots, tangerines, and a hint of mineral imparted by their unique blue Devonian slate soil.

Grown under optimal conditions, these late-harvest 'Spatlese' grapes yield a wine paramount in complexity and longevity. With meticulous vinification, the resultant Riesling captivates the palette with strikingly balanced flavors of concentrated fruit and razor-sharp acidity. Experience the divine allure of Dr Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auktion 2016—a true embodiment of German wine elegance.

Vinous (94)

The 2019 Girl Next Door is pure Syrah with 50% whole bunch. It has a fresh bouquet of raspberry preserve, wild strawberry, cracked white pepper and cloves, all beautifully defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity and superb structure and density toward the finish, which will clearly require 24 months to open up. One of Duncan Savage’s best this vintage.

Vinous (93)

The 2019 White Savage is hand-sorted before being processed into Nomblot concrete tanks for alcoholic fermentation; 30% of the grapes are left whole bunch. It has an intense nose, not overt fruit but rather scents of wet wool, candle wax and lanolin, all beautifully defined. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, a slightly waxy texture and touches of cereal and grilled hazelnut toward the persistent finish. It is not a wine for every palate, but those who like it will love it.

Vinous (89)

Gooseberry and crab apple on the nose turn tart, prickly and piquantly seed-tinged when they reemerge on a bracing, firm palate. This is not one of the many easygoing, generous, slightly soft 2018s! The finish is cheek-tugging, mouthwateringly salt-tinged and highly invigorating. (The source vineyards for this large cuvée are Saarburger Rausch, Wiltinger Braunfels and Wiltinger Rosenberg.)

Vinous (89)

Apple seed and apple wood accents lend decisive counterpoint on both nose and palate to the 2020 Riesling Scharzhof’s dominant, crunchy apple and zesty lemon fruit. Suggestions of apple blossom hover throughout. The feel is firm, and the lingering finish offers refreshment as well as stimulating cut and piquancy. (The source vineyards for this large cuvée are once again largely Saarburger Rausch, Wiltinger Braunfels and Oberemmeler Rosenberg.)

Wine Advocate (98)

Egon Müller's 2017 Scharzhofberger Auslese (AP #7) offers fascinating crunchy, perfectly ripe, almost oily Riesling and dark slate aromas with some iron and herbal notes. This nose represents perfect ripeness, and that’s what you get on the palate: a lush, crystalline and flinty, mouthwateringly salty, fresh and piquant Riesling of great class, complexity and style. Gosh, this is a beautiful and seductive Scharzhofberger of which I wish I had a fuder in my cellar. Absolutely marvelous and a must-taste (or have). Tasted in June 2019.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2018 Scharzhofberger Auslese (AP #8) is coolish, clear, intense and concentrated on the flinty and even rocky nose with its crunchy notes of broken slate and lemon juice. On the palate, this is a generous, highly elegant and refined, beautifully balanced and salty-crystalline Auslese with concentrated but detailed, elegant fruit, finely grained minerals and a long, complex finish. An impressive, great vin de terroir. Tasted in June 2019.

Wine Advocate (92+)

The 2018 Scharzhofberger Kabinett (AP #2) is brilliant, clear and coolish on the nose, with cold, wet and clayey yet also crunchy slate aromas and bright fruit. Lush and precise, with lingering salinity and mineral expression, this is a complex and structured Scharzhofberger Kabinett with great aging potential. Tasted in June 2019.

Vinous (93)

The “regular” 2020 Riesling Scharzhofberger Kabinett (bearing A.P. #3) leads with quince and peach accented by mint, cress, ginger and lemon, setting up an overall impression of coolness, but also of brightness, with stimulating cut and pungency analogous to that of the corresponding Braune Kupp. In the background is a greenhouse-like amalgam of flowers and foliage. The phenolic concentration here belies a vintage with relatively generous yields even as the efficacious acidity and levity defy preconceptions concerning a year marked by summer heat and drought. The multifaceted finish, transparent to wet stone underpinnings, is tongue-tinglingly vibrant. Here is a Riesling Kabinett to really grab and hold your attention even as it delivers consummate refreshment and a bit of thought-provoking intrigue to accompany its entertainment value.

Vinous (93)

A subtle floral element complicated aromas of peach nectar, ripe cherry, white raisin and lemon oil. The velvety, creamy nectarine fruit comes across as bright and elegant thanks to this Riesling's refreshing acidity. Juicy, spicy and pure on the finish, with a delicately luscious quality. An excellent Spätlese in this decidedly difficult vintage for the Saar.

Wine Advocate (94-95)

The 2018 Scharzhofberger Spätlese offers a very fine and delicate, coolish, precise and flinty bouquet with bright and elegant fruit notes. On the palate, this is a finessed, beautifully round and lush yet filigreed Spätlese with sensual, silky-textured fruit and a long, complex, well-structured and salty-piquant finish. A gorgeous classic from the Scharzhofberg. Tasted from AP #6 in June 2019.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2019 Scharzhofberger Spätlese is brilliant, digitally precise and spicy on the clear, elegant, deep and terroir-typical nose with mango and papaya aromas. Tropical fruit aromas on the juicy, elegant, refined and seamless palate lead to a salty-piquant, mouth-watering and stimulating finish with great finesse and precision. This is Scharzhofberger at its very best and a Spätlese close to perfection! Tasted in April 2020.