German Wine Society

German Wine Society
San Francisco Chapter
May 17th tasting
2006 Vintage

The San Francisco Chapter of the German Wine Society met at the Gatehouse at Fort Mason to sample Rieslings from the 2006 vintage. As always, the hors d’oeuvres were fantastic and included sausages and an assortment of cheeses and crackers. Many of the wines, especially the Spatlese and Auslesen, need more bottle age but most were enjoyable to drink even this young. Here are some very brief notes on a smattering of the wines we sampled.

2006 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Kabinett – Rheingau
Palate shows apricot and baking spices. Finish is very short. Too sweet and simplistic.

2006 Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Kabinett – Rheingau
More herbal than fruity. Also minty and the finish is like licking a stone.

2006 Toni Jost Bacharacher Hahn Kabinett – Mittelrhein
One of the better wines of the tasting. A “classic” Kab (not flamboyant). Palate shows pear and Meyer lemon. Very minerally.

2006 Dr. Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett – Mosel
As always, a fine effort from Doc Loosen. Palate shows moderate complexity with baked apple, honeysuckle and orange rind on the finish.

2006 Kaiserberghof Limestone Spatlese – Pfalz
Dry and tangy – probably a halbtrocken although not labeled as such. The palate was salty and showed fennel and citrus flavors. A bit unusual for my palate.

2006 Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Gold Cap Spatlese – Nahe
One of the better wines of the tasting. Very rich. Palate is like eating a candied orange peel covered in honey. Medium finish.

2006 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Spatlese – Mosel
Most unusual wine of the tasting. The palate was very light and tased like Rosewater. Not sure what to make of this one.

2006 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Gold Cap Auslese – Mosel
A bit too rich and honeyed at this stage. There are some nice peach and pear flavors underneath the honeyed overlay. Would like to revisit this one in about ten years.

2006 Schmitges Erdener Treppchen Auslese – Mosel
Best wine of the tasting. Can definitely age but tastes great now. Palate is very rich and shows banana and apricot preserves. Finish is long.