Wine Cellar

Wine:  Graacher Domprobst Auslese 375ml

Wine:  Graacher Domprobst Kabinett

Wine:  Graacher Domprobst Spatlese

Offered at auction, the Schaefer 2010 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese A.P. #11 reflects a slightly higher proportion of nobly-shriveled berries than its immediate sibling, translating into smoky and honeyed as well as vanilla overtones to its apple, tangerine, and lime aromas and its luscious palate presence. There is greater richness here than in the corresponding A.P. #5, allied to alluringly nutty depth, but less intricacy or intrigue; though I have no doubt that this, too, will be worth following for at least the better part of three decades and in the process will be quite capable of more fascinating complexity.

Wine:  Graacher Domprobst Spatlese

Wine:  Graacher Himmelreich Auslese 375ml

A glossy, subtly oily texture to Schaefers’ 2010 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese – like the honeyed glaze to its apple and citrus fruits – points toward its significant botrytis component; yet it packs the blazingly bright, juicy citricity and corresponding nervous energy characteristic for its vintage. Tart suggestions of gooseberry or white currant in the finish engender a slightly sweet-sour tension that might well resolve with time, while piquant apple pit and slate-licking minerality help extend a vibrant finish. This will doubtless retain its vitality for a quarter century, though whether the near-severity of its acids will have been mollified or accentuated, I won’t try to predict today.

Wine:  Graacher Himmelreich Großes Gewachs

Wine:  Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett

Wine:  Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese

Bright, zesty apple, lime and grapefruit donate aromatic pizzazz and generous refreshment to the Schaefers’ 2010 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, whose suggestions of brown spices and herbal essences, along with saliva-inducing salinity and scallop-like savor as well as a classic Mosel cantus firmus of wet stone, make for a levitating and irresistible performance that finishes with tenacity and panache. This promises to remain a hit for at least the next quarter of a century.

Wine:  Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese

Wine:  Graacher Riesling Trocken