Reinhold Haart Haart to Heart Piesport Riesling 2013 (Mosel) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is this lovely Piesport Riesling that was picked up last year when it was released into VINTAGES on July 11th.

Surprisingly, there are still a few bottles of this delicious wine available at the LCBO.

Tasting Note:

REINHOLD HAART HAART TO HEART PIESPORT RIESLING 2013 - Qualitätswein, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany (#672683) (M) - $19.95
Screw cap. This wine was fermented spontaneously with natural yeast and features a lovely slatey, wet stone, tangy citrus nose followed by hints of petrol. It is medium in sweetness with vibrant tangy citrus flavours on the light-to-mid weighted palate with hints of stone and honey adding interest. Acids are delicately balanced while citrus notes lingering on the very good finish. Score: 90 pts

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Reichsgraf von Kesselstat Kaseler Nies'chen Riesling Kabinett 2006 (Mosel) - Wine Review

Opened up this beautiful white wine last night. It was purchased from a VINTAGES release last August. For sweet wine lovers, stay tuned for future vintages as this is a consistently great wine!

REICHSGRAF VON KESSELSTAT KASELER NIES'CHEN RIESLING KABINETT 2006 - Pradikätswein, Mosel, Germany (#940809) (M) - $19.95

Tasting Note:

Orange citrus and peach aromas from the cork. Highly aromatic petrol, orange, candied ginger, white peach and a touch of honey. Medium+ bodied and medium sweet with very nice aroma replays. Impresses with bright, vibrant acids at 9 years old and balances the sweetness very well. Excellent length on the finish. Will continue to drink well over the next 5-8 years. Score: 91 pts

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Wine Review - Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling 2012 (Mosel)

Opened this delicious, sweet-flavoured white wine Sunday night. It was purchased last summer from the July 19th LCBO VINTAGES release with the intention of opening it for guests during my daughter's 1st birthday party. Unfortunately, I never got around to opening it that day.

DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER RIESLING 2012 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#596601) (M) - $13.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Medium+ intensity aromas featuring nectarine, petrol, limestone mineral, citrus and hints of lemon and smoke. On the palate, it's mid-weighted with crisp acids and medium-dry sweet flavours of stone fruit, lemon/lime, and minerals. Slightly chalky on the mid-palate. Interesting stone flavours on the crisp, lengthy finish. Yummy. Paired really well with Masala Fried Chicken. Score: 88+ pts

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Hoffmann-Simon Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 2011 (Mosel) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine was purchased back in 2012 from the September 29 LCBO VINTAGES release and opened tonight to celebrate our 7th Wedding Anniversary. Not surprisingly, this excellent white wine is no longer available, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a future vintage re-appear on our shelves.

HOFFMANN-SIMON PIESPORTER GOLDTRÖPFCHEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2011 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#216499) (MS) - $21.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Elegantly perfumed nose of florals, orange peel, peach, nectarine, and hints of ginger and plum. Palate is lean with a fine seam of acidity that dances across your tongue. Balanced, medium-sweet orange, peach, nectarine, and honey flavour profile with a nice mineral streak running throughout. Slightly chalky texture on the mid-palate that continues on to the very long finish. Only 9% alc./vol. Superb. Highly recommended. Will be enjoyed with homemade Chicken Lasagne. Score: 91 pts

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Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler alte Badstube am Doctorberg Riesling Spätlese 2011 (Mosel) - Wine Review

This is the final wine in my German wine tasting series (links to all previous wines are provided at the bottom of this post).

There isn't much I can say to tie this white wine from Germany to today's Superbowl. However, it is low in alcohol with only 8.5% abv, so this could be suitable for serving early in the day or at very long gatherings. Also, the naturally high acidity in (German) Rieslings makes it favourable for pairing with all sorts of snacks and meals. Tonight, it was enjoyed with homemade chicken enchiladas.

This white wine was released in Vintages last June and was the only German wine featured in the entire release. It is still quite readily available at the LCBO, especially if you live in Oakville.

DR. PAULY-BERGWEILER BERNKASTELER ALTE BADSTUBE AM DOCTORBERG RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2011 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#140764) (MS) - $24.95

Tasting Note:
Screw cap. Elegant aromas of mineral, rose petals, beeswax and hint of petrol. Full-bodied, round and full-flavoured in the mouth with apricot, peach, mango, orange zest flavours, and a slight spritz. Medium-sweet with lively, mouth-watering acidity. Notes of wet rocks and hints of honey on a lingering finish. Yum! It helped tone down the heat and paired well with the chicken enchiladas. Score: 90 pts

Part 4: Heitlinger Mellow Silk Pinot Noir 2011 (Baden)
Part 3: Henkell Trocken Dry-Sec Piccolo and Deinhard Green Label Riesling 2012
Part 2: Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling Winter Scene 2012
Part 1: Gustav Adolf Schmitt Niersteiner Spätlese Late Harvest 2012 (Rheinhessen)

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German Wines - Part 3

Here are two more wines I received courtesy of Wines of Germany Canada. The first two wines were reviewed here and here.

The first wine reviewed below is a Sparkling Wine in the 200 mL size, which is (likely) available in packs of 3 at the LCBO. It's on the sweet side and makes a good alternative for those who like Moscato d'Asti. The second wine reviewed in this post is a medium (in sweetness) Riesling. Both of these wines are easy drinking wines that are suitable for gatherings where your guests enjoy sweeter wines.

HENKELL TROCKEN DRY-SEC PICCOLO - Baden, Germany (#009118) (MD) (200 mL) - $11.45

Tasting Note:
Comes in pack of 3. Screw cap on this 200 mL bottle. Medium-high intensity aromas of apple, floral and hints of barnyard from the glass. Good, crisp bubbles and fresh acidity. Palate is quite sweet with lemon/lime, citrus and honeydew. Fairly light-weight and finishing short-medium in length. For a Trocken Dry-Sec, it's quite sweet. Score: 83 pts


DEINHARD GREEN LABEL RIESLING 2012 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#008094) (M) - $11.95

Tasting Note:

Screw cap. This white wine has muted aromas of pink grapefruit, peach, and Flintstones vitamins. Medium in sweetness with white peach, floral, petrol, and wet rocks on the palate. Hints of honey linger on the medium-long finish. Good acidity and medium bodied. Score: 86 pts

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Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling Winter Scene 2012 (Mosel) - Wine Review

This is the 2nd wine I received from the fine folks at Wines of Germany Canada (the first was reviewed here). I opened this white wine earlier today because it's light and crisp, with only 10% abv and perfectly suitable for brunch or lunch.

MOSELLAND ARS VITIS RIESLING WINTER SCENE 2012 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germanyy (#589929) (MD) - $9.95

Tasting Note:
Low intensity aromas of citrus, lime and floral notes. It's mid-weight and has a slightly oily texture with a palate consisting of orange blossom, citrus and florals. Medium-dry sweetness with bracing acids and a slight spritz. Some tartness arrives at the mid-palate and continues through to the medium-length finish. Delicate - chill slightly. Paired well with homemade butter chicken. Score: 85 pts

What's really interesting is the "label". The entire bottle has a frosted glass finish. But on the front is a clear window that let's you peer through the bottle to view the graphic that's been printed on the back of the bottle. Pretty cool!

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C.H. Berres Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2009 (Mosel) - Wine Review

Purchased this white wine from a Vintages release last November and opened it Sunday night for a Thanksgiving dinner with roasted chicken. I was expecting good things and it definitely lived up to my expectations! If you like wines on the sweeter side of things, then you'll enjoy this one. My guests certainly enjoyed this one as well, as there was very little remaining for the second day.

I can't wait to open the 2008 vintage, which is also in my rack, because it is even better than the 2009. I can only hope you picked up either one (or both!) of these wines when I recommended them, as neither the '08 or '09 are available at the LCBO any longer. However, I predict the '10 and/or '11 vintage may be in Vintages soon.

C.H. BERRES ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT 2009 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#207274) (M) - $19.95

Screw cap. Medium-high intense aromas of slate, honeyed pear, floral, petrol, and minerals. Medium sweetness with zippy acidity that rushes across the palate and has very nice aroma replays. Slightly chalky mouthfeel. Finishes long and smooth with a honeyed tinge. Gorgeous! It paired well with the homemade oven roasted chicken. Score: 90 pts

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Studert-Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2007 (Mosel) - Wine Review

Opened this on Monday to celebrate the recent birth of my first born. Purchased in March 2012 from a Vintages release that focused on food-friendly wines for Easter. This is a white wine that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with food. I hope you bought this gorgeous wine last year, because it is sold out now.

STUDERT-PRÜM WEHLENER SONNENUHR RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2007 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#114777) (M) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Lime and orange aromas from the cork. Fresh floral and honey aromas waft from the glass, which turn into orange, tropical fruit and mineral aromas as it warms up in the glass. Crisp acidity, tropical fruits and orange on the palate. Nicely balanced with a lengthy wet stone finish. Fabulous and highly recommended if you can get your hands on it.

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2011 Vollenweider Wolfer Riesling (Germany) - Wine Review

Purchased this white wine from the May 25th Vintages release that had a minor focus on German Rieslings. Many of the German offerings in this release were very good to spectacular. Lucky for you - this wine is still available at the LCBO.

VOLLENWEIDER WOLFER RIESLING 2011 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#324335) (D) - $19.95

Tasting Note:
Light floral aromas from the cork. Delicate slate, apricot, peach and hints of honey and lemon rind aromas. Slightly off-dry with a spritz that subdues the sweetness. Flavour notes of slate, beeswax, lemon peel and orange rind. Good acidity and a finish that is long and slatey with a beeswax-tinged finish. Nice! Enjoyed this with one of my favourite Indian comfort foods - homemade chicken curry.

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