Martin Gerlach's restart on the Lower Moselle

16.5

Tasted on 9 December 2019 by Werner Elflein

In his book “Terrassenkultur an der Untermosel” (Edition Krieger, 2003) Joachim Krieger writes about the Katteneser Steinchen: “This is also the location of the steepest part of the terraces, the steep Mursberg with its fine blue slate soil, which produces very low but sometimes very fine yield in dry years (with luxuriant peach aromas).” 2018 is a dry year, and in fact, in addition to fully ripe citrus aromas, it is also a peach scent that is both crystal clear and omnipresent, which rises from the bright yellow glass into the nose. In the mouth with juicy freshness and creamy texture. A filigree Riesling fruit dances on the tongue and counteracts perfectly the fullness reminiscent of a vintage like 2003. The residual sugar is very well balanced and should be the guarantor for an excellent maturity of the wine. Very good length.

16

Tasted on 19 January 2020 by Werner Elflein

Delicate yellow-green. The nose is characterized by a protruding fruitiness with scents of ripe, light, partly tropical fruits. Juicy and animating on the tongue. Nuanced, fine and elegant acidity. Gruff minerality. Very good length.

15

Tasted on 23 November 2019 by Werner Elflein

Transparent cherry garnet. Spicy, still slightly lactic scent of sour cherry, blueberry and red fruit jelly with ethereal component. Very present on the palate and on the tongue. With moderate alcohol quite concentrated and with fine, velvety and sandy tannins. Very good length and excellent persistence.

16

Tasted on 21 November 2019 by Werner Elflein

Straw yellow to white gold. Ripe stone fruit scent, initially flanked by green citrus notes, after prolonged air contact in the second nose clear hints of fine marzipan. Complex aromas of spontaneous fermentation. On the palate with a powerful and intense attack. With the creamy, banana texture typical of a hot vintage. Martin Gerlach's Riesling from the Rothlay part of the Koberner Uhlen, which tastes off-dry, does not try to make up for the apparent lack of acidity, and even the quite concise mineral spice is unable to conceal or even substitute the “missing” acidity. Rather, in the mouth the Riesling from Koberner Uhlen makes clear from the start that it feels more strongly connected to its vintage and its origin than to the taste ideal of those who only see Riesling as a refreshing drink in the tradition of Coca Cola, brimming with acidity. Very good length, pronounced creaminess also in the finish.

15

Tasted on 30 December 2019 by Werner Elflein

Greenish yellow. Herbal and spicy scent of passion fruit. On the tongue with a creamy opening. Fine juicy, good balance with moderate acidity and integrated alcohol. Very long and persistent.

16

Tasted on 3 January 2020 by Werner Elflein

Bright straw yellow, rich in reflections. Fruity bouquet with fine herbaceous components and aromas of highly ripe lemon. On the palate creamy and, typical for the vintage, only with little acidity. Continues on the tongue over the entire length, which was already noticeable in the nose. Off-dry taste. Recognizable excellent grape material from a great vineyard. Very lasting.

15.5

Tasted on 5 December 2019 by Werner Elflein

Light straw yellow. In the nose a little butter and above all vanilla. On the palate powerful, with all strength and opulence but with a lot of freshness and vitality. Spicy and dry. Very good length and persistence.

16.5

Tasted on 5 December 2019 by Werner Elflein

Straw yellow with pale pink shimmer. Strong fragrance of Galia melon. Very powerful and with warming, but well integrated alcohol. Full-bodied Pinot Gris, which, despite its opulence, does not appear to be nearly ponderous. Clear honey spice and sweetness on the tongue. Dry taste. Harmonious and well balanced, with excellent length and reverberation for minutes.

15

Tasted on 16 December 2019 by Werner Elflein

Light golden yellow. Fruity nose with a striking scent of passion fruit. On the tongue it shows a delicate creaminess, fine sweetness, but also hardly acidity, which makes it appear a little broad in its structure. Nevertheless very well balanced, dormant in itself, and with an off-dry taste and very good length.

15.5

Tasted on 19 December 2019 by Werner Elflein

Sparkling yellow with golden reflections. Clear spontaneous aromas on the nose with fine scents of peach and white gooseberry with hints of carambola. Full-bodied and juicy. Good balance between moderate sweetness and only slightly perceptible, delicate, elegant acidity. More in the style of a Spätlese than a Kabinett. Good length.

16.5

Tasted on 4 December 2019 by Werner Elflein

Bright golden yellow with strikingly high viscosity. Clear, pure berry scent. Animating, excellently balanced and juicy Auslese with delicate creaminess, banana texture, finest acidity and hearty sweetness. Very good length and persistence.

16.5

Tasted on 19 January 2020 by Werner Elflein

Green gold. Animating, concentrated scent of slate and ripe yellow, sometimes tropical fruits. On the tongue elegant, fine and subtle play of acidity with creamy fruitiness and well-balanced sweetness. Rather traditional Auslese style, reminiscent of earlier hot vintages like 1959. Very good length.