2007 Muller-Catoir Riesling Kabinett Trocken Haardt (Germany)
Representing one of several attempts to streamline Muller-Catoir’s range, their 2007 Haardter Riesling Kabinett trocken unites fruit from several sites previously subject to separate dry Riesling Kabinett bottlings. A ravishing amalgam of white peach, blood orange, and floral perfume in the nose leads to a silken, refined, and generously juicy palate and a long, savory, subtly saline, stony, iodine-tinged finish. This superbly-balanced, elegantly understated Riesling strikingly transparent to mineral and floral nuance should hold well for at least 8-10 years and in the context of pricing from this elite estate represents a relative value. Rated 91 The Wine Advocate
2009 Charles Smith Riesling Columbia Valley “Kung Fu Girl” Evergreen Vineyard (Washington State)
Light and fragrant, this is on the dry side, featuring tangy grapefruit and apple flavors that linger gently. Rated 89 Wine Spectator
2007 Villa Maria Riesling Marlborough Private Bin (New Zealand)
Lime, peach and subtle cinnamon flavors are tart and fleshy, with fine, lingering acidity and savory mineral accents. Rated 87 Wine Spectator
2007 Donnhoff Riesling Kabinett Kreuznacher Kahlenberg (Germany)
As part of his exploration of the potential offered by his two latest land acquisitions, in Bad Krueznach, Donnhoff has bottled a 2007 Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Kabinett that distinctively displays spiced crabapple, orange zest, winter pear, sweet floral perfume, and toasted nuts in a dense yet alcoholically light and delicate matrix. Subtle suggestions of mineral elements including a somehow tactile sense of stoniness join in a long, interactive finish featuring plenty of sheer refreshment. Donnhoff is leaning toward channeling the fruit of Kahlenberg solely into dry wine, but this seems to make a strong case for not doing so. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years. Rated 91 The Wine Advocate
2007 Willi Schaefer Riesling Kabinett Wehlener Sonnenuhr Mosel (Germany)
The 2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett is predictably softer and creamier than the other Kabinetts in the Schaefers’ 2007 collection, with lightly baked apple, lily, musk melon, vanilla cream, and subtle brown spices saturating your senses, informing a long, soothing finish, and lulling you into repose rather than invigorating. The buoyancy and delicacy as well as refreshment of the vintage and of Kabinett in general are thus expressed here in their own distinctly delicious ways. I fancy this being best drunk over the next 12-15 years. Rated 90 The Wine Advocate
2009 Selbach-Oster Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany)
Mango, pink grapefruit, cashew, and hints of white raisin in the nose of Selbachs’ extremely late-harvested 2009 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese foreshadow its lushly fruited, richly nutty, silken-textured palate performance. Subtle salinity and stoniness add interest and allure to a lingering, lip-licking finish. This impeccably-balanced and finesseful Riesling is arguably more Auslese than Spatlese, but I won’t quibble. It should be a joy to follow for 20-25 years. This should be a fantastic illustration of its site and vintage even a quarter-century from now. Rated 93 The Wine Advocate