J.J. Christoffel Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese 2008
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Robert -
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Christoffel 2008 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese practically epitomizes the lift, finesse, and dynamic interplay of fruit, herb, and mineral elements that are this vintage at its best. Sassafras, orange liqueur, salted apple, and pungency of wood smoke on the nose presage a succulent, lushly-textured yet bright palate that both sooths and invigorates in its long, luscious finish. I would expect at least 20 years of delight and fascination from these bottles.
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Wine Spectator
A rich, juicy style, like biting into a perfectly ripe peach, with Golden Delicious apple and slate rounding out the flavors. Terrific harmony and length, with a refreshing finish. Drink now through 2027.
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Robert
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Robert
The Christoffel family of Ürzig has been involved in wine production dating back to the 17th century. In 2001 Hans Leo Christoffel leased the management of his vineyards and winemaking to Robert Eymael of the Mönchhof estate. All of Christoffel’s 4 hectares comprise the Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Treppchen, including a very special parcel directly above (and contiguous with) the 2.2 hectare Erdener Prälat. Cultivation in these sites has been recorded as early as the 7th century, and has for centuries been prized because of its southern exposure, deep Devonian slate, and steep gradients. The Ürziger Würzgarten, or ‘sprice garden,’ is so named because its iron rich slate is red, and produces notably spicy wines. With its gradient of 70 degrees the Würzgarten is incredibly difficult to farm, as is the Erdener Treppchen, immediately adjacent to the Würzgarten. Because of the sheer steepness of these sites, the majority of Christoffel’s plantings are over 100 years old and on their original rootstock. The star system on Christoffel’s labels represents specific parcels, which are vinified separately.
Eymael continues the legacy of winemaking that drove the estate to prestige under Hans Leo, in a style that maximizes clarity: whole cluster pressing, slow and cool fermentation in fuder, racking immediately off the gross lees followed by a short time on fine lees and early bottling to preserve the freshest of fruit characters indicative to Mosel typicity.