Rieslings from Nahe

German Wine Society
Shane’s Notes

Once again, we headed to Fort Mason for another German Wine Society tasting. This particular tasting featured wines from the Nahe. Most of the German Rieslings that we drink are from Mosel so were interested in trying these wines. If we can even make such a sweeping generalization, we think the wines from Mosel are a little richer and fatter than the Nahe wines, and the Nahe wines might need a little age before drinking. However, we really enjoyed the Nahe wines and would not hesitate to buy Donnhoff and Emrich-Schonleber in the future.

2003 Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Kabinett halbtrocken (Emrich-Schonleber)

This was my first halbtrocken Riesling and it was not a pleasant experience. The palate was floral with lemon curd and the finish was dry and steely. I prefer sweeter Rieslings.

2003 Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Kabinett (Emrich-Schonleber)

Here’s the same Riesling as the previous one without the halbtrocken. I loved this one. The palate showed lemon and pear with nice concentration.

2006 Riesling Kabinett (Schafer-Frohlich)

The palate was lighter with this Riesling. The palate showed floral notes and rosewater.

2005 Bockenauer Kabinett (Schafer-Frohlich)

One of our least favorite wines of the tasting. The palate was sweet and that was about it. The finish was tangy.

2005 Oberhauser Leistenberg Kabinett (Donnhoff)

Interestingly, we had a bottle of this on our Vegas trip and I liked it much better in Vegas. I think it might have been served just a little too warm. The palate showed tangerine and was succulent with a long finish.

2006 Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Kabinett (Emrich-Schonleber)

We both found this one to be almost completely closed down. We think it will be many years before this is ready to drink.

2005 Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Kabinett (Emrich-Schonleber)

See above.

1999 Oberhauser Brucke Auslese (Donnhoff)

Jen wrote down that this was an epic wine. The palate was honeyed and showed peach and pear with a hint of citrus. The finish was very long.

2004 Niederhauser Hermannshohle Spatlese (Donnhoff)

The palate is floral but a little closed. This one needs more age.

2000 Oberhauser Brucke Spatlese Goldkapsel (Donnhoff)

This one really surprised us. We thought this might be the best of the tasting and it was nearly the opposite. The palate was slightly herbal and seemed faded. It tasted like a wine that was past its peak.

2005 Schlossbockelheimer Kupfergrube Spatlese (Donnhoff)

We circled this as one of the best of the tasting. The palate showed fresh florals (Lilly of the Valley). It was focused and zesty.