Mosel Riesling Moments

We love drinking wine Rieslings from the Mosel.  The wines are the epitome of delicacy, freshness, precision and richness, all bound and balanced together.  I get asked if there’s any one wine style I love more than others.  My answer is “none”, as I try to appreciate them all.  But if there is a wine style that gives me moments, it is Mosel Riesling.  SWMBO has no problem admitting these are the wines she loves.  I go with the flow.  The Shady Dogs put on a BBQ which began with a succession of Mosel Rieslings.  We had more than one moment tasting through the interesting array.

 

First up was one of the best of the night, a 2009 J. J. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese.  Notorious for their funky sulphide reduction in youth, these invariably develop gloriously.  This wine in transition, with some mineral, earth flint and stink.  But already the fruit richness and sugar richness coming to the fore.  Great body, and intensity, without being overbearing. 

Moving onto the 2005 Bischoflisches Eitelsbacher Marienholz Riesling Kabinett, disappointing, maybe because it came after the J. J. Prum, which was a Spatlese too.  But this one more muddied and matty in exoression.  Softer and less sweet, and certainly not the cut.  Did this have cork issues, as there was a little mustiness, which we attributed to bottle development, at first?

The 2005 von Kesselstatt Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese compensated, back to the expected clarity, focus and subtle richness.  More honied with hints of toast.  But still citrus, florals and limes.  I love von Kesselstatt for how that make it all so correct and e;legantlt down the middle of the path.  Maybe not the brilliance of say J. J. Prum, but classic stuff.