Weingut Wagner Stempel Grosses Gewachs Heerkretz Riesling 2016
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Robert
Parker
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
After a wet spring with very poor fertilization of the grape blossoms and a hot summer until early October, the harvest of the 2016 Heerkretz Riesling GG took place between October eighth and 30th. In fact, the wine is characterized by its late harvest and the long hang time of the grapes that gave perfectly ripe and concentrated yet finely flavored berries. The nose is coolish, precise and spicy, with perfectly ripe apricot aromas intertwined with herbal and stony notes of the specific Heerkretz terroir. On the palate, this is a very elegant, lush, savory and saline Riesling finishing with a salivating combination of mineral acidity and fine phenolics. This is a classical, lean and linear but complex and concentrated/fleshy dry Riesling with a rather coolish, stimulating character. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork.
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2014-
Robert
Parker
The idyllic delightful inner courtyard with its imposing chestnut tree was expanded in the early 90’s to include a painstakingly and lovingly restored guest house. At the same time Daniel Wagner decided to build on the tradition of classic wine production and restore the previously famed vineyard sites Höllberg and Heerkretz (ripens two week later) to their former glory. Restoring is an understatement. More meticulous and well-groomed vineyards can seldom be found! They are planted 50% to Riesling but there are also significant plantings to Pinot Blanc and Silvaner and 14% to red varietals such as Pinot Noir and St. Laurent.
The Siefersheim sites are carved out of volcanic hills; the soil is poor in nutrients and consists of volcanic stone also known as porphyr or the more modern expression ryolith, actually quite similar to the Schlossböckelheim sites in the Nahe. 95% of the production is dry. The wines bring amazing mineral drive to the palate!
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
