Riesling Question

[erica]

I just bought a case of JJChristoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett, 2009. How long will this wine be at its best? Thanks!

Also, which Manhattan retailers have excellent selections of Riesling?

[wineglas1]

They will drink well from right now for five or six years. Love the spice element of Urziger Wurzgarten and Chritoffel is one of the best producers in the Mosel.

How much did you but it per bottle?

[erica]

$18.99, I think, plus tax, per bottle.

[Reni1]

great stuff but its just a kabinett (trocken maybe-prob not) I guess 5 years if off dry.
Love bottle and souls selection of german wine on UES 81st and Lex or Nancy´s upper west in the 70´s.
Would recomend you to try Doennhoff, Kartauserhof, Kuenstler, Dr. Loosen ,Mueller Cartoir, Van Volxem, Basserman Jordan, Emrich Schoenleber god i am getting very thirsty
I also like Dr Herman Wiemer, Finger lakes german like and now available in magnum at Eli´s -of course I grabbed a bottle :)

[erica]

Thanks..will check those out!

[comestible]

Speaking of Finger Lakes rieslings, I had a bottle of Dr. Konstantin Frank's dry riesling this fall, and it was wonderful. I've heard good things about Wiemer, too.

[Bill Hunt]

Erica,

Looks like you have some good replies, and have probably found the answers to both questions.

As Rieslings can be very age-worthy, the one question that I usually ask is, "do you like an older Riesling?" Some do, but some do not. Same with other aged wines, and especially whites.

Enjoy, and I also think that the 2009's should be good from now, until about 5 more years down the line.

Hunt

[Fowler]

"Enjoy, and I also think that the 2009's should be good from now, until about 5 more years down the line.

Hunt"

Are you offering advice on the wine erica is talking about or making a broad claim about 2009 Rieslings across the board or Rieslings from a certain region or Rieslings from a particular producer?

[Bill Hunt]

Broad claim, as I have not had that particular producer's wine.

Hunt

[Fowler]

Thanks. So broad as in some regions or producers or...?

[SteveTimko]

This is a good producer, a good vineyard and a good vintage. It will easily go a decade. The sensation will usually be that it gets drier as it ages.
One thing to watch for is the wine going to sleep. It will taste one way in its baby fat stage, then lose much of its flavor and basically go into a dumb phase like it's in a cocoon and emerge tasting completely different.

[Brad Ballinger]

My standard response: It depends on how you like to enjoy kabinetten. Some responders like them on the young side. Other prefer a bit of age on them. You are the one who defines what "best" is.

The wine can easily go ten years, but you might find that best for you is in 1-2 years.

[Riefi]

2009 is a very nice vintage for Mosel and Rheingau wines, they should be able to age very nicely for some years. But I have to say I personally often like German Rieslings young, especially the Kabinett and Spätlese qualities.
If you've got an entire case, I'd say open one in the next few weeks and then decide what to do with the rest!

[Charles Yu]

Me too! A lot of time, I love fresh, floral and fruity young Riesling before the petrol nose sets in.
BTW, heard directly from the horse's mouth - Fritz Hasselbach of Gunderloch. The 2011 vintage will be totally AWESOME!!!

[penthouse pup]

2009 was an excellent vintage and this wine should be fine for at least 5 years (some Kabinetts go longer.) In NYC, I'd recommend Crush and Astor as well as Chambers Street Wines, 67 Wines and Sherry Lehman. I think Mr. Wright on the UES has a good selection.

About the unusual 2010 vintage, you might enjoy reading this:
http://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/docum...

[erica]

That's just great..many thanks!