The 2007 vintage in the Mosel
was yet another great one. It has been a
pleasure to offer many of the beautiful Riesling wines from this region and
harvest, knowing that they will delight the drinker over the next decade. Perennial favourites from Dr Erni Loosen,
Willi Schaefer and Fritz Haag have practically disappeared from our shelves,
but we have managed to source parcels from other highly regarded
producers. In stock are two suave spatlesen
wines from the Bischofliche Weinguter that are incredibly good value being
priced in the mid-$40.00 mark. Based in Trier with a huge cellar and vinification complex, this
famous and historical clerical winemaker owns over 130 ha of some of the best
sites in the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer. The Bischofliche Weinguter is composed of the
Hohe Domkirche (Cathedral of Trier), Bischofliches Priesterseminar (Bishops’
Priest Seminary) and Bischofliches Konvikt (Bishops’ Convent) as well as owning
Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium, and thus is the largest Mosel winegrowing estate
under single management. Quality has
always been rock solid and the wines exemplify Mosel
perfectly.
Bischofliche
Priesterseminar Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spatlese 2007
Trittenheim is the first significant quality
wine village of the Middle Mosel coming from the city of Trier.
The brown slate soiled vineyards lie on a spectacular hairpin loop, the
Apotheke site possessing the best exposure.
There the Bischofliche owns 3.7 ha.
Pale straw in colour, this has a restrained, discrete bouquet of
minerals and slate, somewhat restrained, a touch of sulphur still making its
present felt. Medium sweet on palate,
this has beautifully fresh yellow florals with citrus-lime and sherbet
characters, the flavours unfolding to reveal honey and exotic fruit
nuances. At 9.5% alc, this is elegant,
engaging and subtle, with perfectly balanced, soft acidity providing excellent
freshness. This will keep well for
another 5-8 years easily.
Bischofliche
Konvikt Ayler Kupp Riesling Spatlese 2007
Some of the greatest Rieslings come from the
Saar tributary of the Mosel. The little village
of Ayl lies on the western flank of
the Saar, and the wines show the classic cool,
herb, apple and mineral austerity which has a beauty in itself. The south-facing Kupp site is clearly the
most favourable. There the Bischofliche
has 12.2 ha of vines on the red-brown clay and slate soils. This spatlese is pale straw with green hues
to the colour and has a nose that has depth and intensity of minerals, lime
florals and some reduction intruding on initial opening. With air time, the sulphur dissipates leaving
slate, steel and floral notes. Very fine
and cutting, this has a raciness allied to juicy white stonefruits and a little
sweet soda lift and creaminess, providing a multi-faceted palate. At 9.0%alc, this retains a gentleness and
delicacy that enables immediate enjoyment.
However, this should cellar 6-8 years comfortably.