2011 Kiedricher Grafenberg Erstes Gewachs

Gentian and buddleia, chalk dust and sea breeze rise alluringly and intriguingly from the glass of 2011 Kiedricher Grafenberg Riesling trocken, along with intimations of lemon and lime that go on to inform a brightly juicy but firm palate. This finishes with impressive penetration and persistence, albeit a slightly austere combination of citrus rind, chalk and fruit pit. Thankfully, buoyancy, saliva inducement and sheer refreshment are also all present. Plan to follow this through at least 2018. In 2012, Wilhelm Weil completed an extensive renovation and expansion of what was already an impressive cellar – now entirely gravity-fed without needing to resort to fork-lifting casks or tanks. Still, it is arguably in its labor costs that one could most easily recognize the degree to which this estate spares no expense in the pursuit of quality. While greater diversity of terroir has been introduced into the line-up here by the creation of a separate Turmberg Einzellage for which Wilhelm Weil assiduously and successfully lobbied the authorities, as well as on account of his newfound interest in developing the Klosterberg (for more on which, consult my Issue 187 report), the number of different Weil bottlings is now being steadily whittled down. In accordance with both German wine drinking fashion and VDP politics, it is alcoholically lighter or halbtrocken bottlings are being phased out, and soon there will be but a single dry vineyard-designated wine from each site; although in 2011, for one last time, there are two dry Grafenberg bottlings. The main 2011 harvest commenced at the beginning of October, very early by the standards set during Wilhelm Weil’s now quarter-century tenure. (Hanover-born principal cellarmaster Christian Engel has been here for nearly as long.) But selective picking continued into early November. Weil claims his vineyards weren’t threatened by September rot. On the contrary, “For the longest time, we had no botrytis,” he relates, “and even this year’s Beerenauslese with 170 Oechsle represented remarkably healthy berries.” Bottling stretched from April until (for the Grosses Gewachs) early September, with many lots enjoying a longer stay on their lees than normal. The top wines display levels of acidity that I had not imagined possible in this vintage, and that permit high residual sugar to perfectly integrate. Imported by Loosen Brothers, Portland, OR tel. (510) 864-7255

Pungent nose. Quite tight and contained. Very dry indeed. It won’t set hearts beating but it is by no means slack. Very neat. With good reverberant finish. (JR)