Refugium Würzgarten
Ungrafted and unique
9 July 2011
Werner Elflein
Image: weinfreaks.deAs one of only a few vineyards in Germany and on the Middle Moselle, the Ürzig Würzgarten is still home to a significant proportion of ungrafted Riesling vines that often have an age of 100 years or more. Even in weaker or more difficult years, these vines, which are perfectly adapted to their environment, produce top quality.
Characteristic of the Würzgarten Rieslings is a complex, strikingly spicy minerality and a very fine, sometimes juicy fruit, often reminiscent of ripe peach, apricot and nectarine. In the plot In der Kranklei, the former single vineyard Ürzig Kranklay, is also typical of star fruit aromas.
The Rieslings from the Würzgarten owe their distinctive character to a unique soil structure (essentially Rotliegend with volcanic rhyolite), which is probably unique in this form worldwide. The brochure Terroir an Mosel, Saar und Ruwer published by the Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum Mosel states: “The outstanding features of this soil are its high iron content and a large rootable soil space. This large soil space, together with fine soil types, results in a high water-holding capacity. All other properties must be considered in a differentiated way because of the loess content in the rigol horizon. The fine soil is clayey-loamy there, and clayey underneath, both with high proportions of grit. Thus, the topsoil is sufficiently aerated and warms up quickly also because of the relatively dark soil colour. Both are somewhat less favourable in the deeper soil, but this need not be a disadvantage. This area can be used by the vine as a water reservoir despite the higher main root zone. The nutrient supply is sufficient in slightly acidic, lime-free soil.”
The name Würzgarten (spice garden) dates back to the Middle Ages. At that time, it was still customary to add spices to wines and to plant herb gardens for this purpose. A spice garden, which was planted in the vineyards above the village in 2005 in the course of land consolidation, is a reminder of this tradition.
Image: weinfreaks.deWe have tasted a number of dry, off-dry, fruity and sweet Rieslings from the Ürzig Würzgarten. In addition to matured crus from the 1990s, the focus was also on the current vintages from 2007 to 2010. The Würzgarten Rieslings showed how excellently they can mature and still shine with youthful brilliance even after 20 years.
The wines at a glance
2007 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602144 1 08 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
2001 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese ***
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602144 3 02 • 7 % vol alcohol
1994 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese **
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602144 5 95 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
Karl Erbes
Würzgartenstraße 25
54539 Ürzig
Germany
Phone: +49 6532 2123
Fax: +49 6532 1417
Internet: www.weingut-karlerbes.de
E‑mail: info@weingut-karlerbes.de
2010 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese *
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602138 12 11 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
2010 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese *** Gold Capsule
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602138 16 11 • 7 % vol alcohol
2010 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602138 18 11 • 6.5 % vol alcohol
2009 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602138 35 10 • 9.5 % vol alcohol
2009 Ürzig Würzgarten Kranklay Riesling Spätlese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602138 8 10 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
2003 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese **
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602138 6 04 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
1996 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese *
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602138 6 97 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
Dr. Hermann
Auf der Geig 3
54492 Erden
Germany
Phone: +49 6532 2542
Fax: +49 6532 4021
Internet: www.weingut-drhermann.de
E‑mail: drhermann@gmx.de
2010 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602145 11 11 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
2007 Ürzig Würzgarten Urglück Riesling Auslese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602145 13 08 • 8 % vol alcohol
2006 Ürzig Würzgarten Urglück Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602145 8 07 • 8.5 % vol alcohol
Dr. Loosen
St. Johannishof
54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Germany
Phone: +49 6531 3426
Fax: +49 6532 4248
Internet: www.drloosen.de
E‑mail: vertrieb@drloosen.de
2009 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Alte Reben Qualitätswein trocken
Großes Gewächs Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter e. V.
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2576162 57 10 • 12.5 % vol alcohol
Alfred Merkelbach
Uferallee 23
54492 Zeltingen-Rachtig
Germany
Phone: +49 6532 2081
Internet: www.weingut-merkelbach.de
E‑mail: weingut.merkelbach@selbach-oster.de
2010 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling “Fuder 10” Spätlese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602055 10 11 • 9.5 % vol alcohol
2009 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling “Fuder 18” Spätlese *
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602055 18 10 • 10.5 % vol alcohol
2009 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling “Fuder 14” Auslese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602055 14 10 • 9 % vol alcohol
2007 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling “Fuder 22” Spätlese
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602055 22 08 • 9 % vol alcohol
Markus Molitor
Haus Klosterberg
54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Germany
Phone: +49 6532 95400-0
Fax: +49 6532 95400-29
Internet: www.markusmolitor.com
E‑mail: info@markusmolitor.com
1999 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese *
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2576609 30 00 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
2007 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese feinherb
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602135 4 08 • 11 % vol alcohol
2001 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Auslese trocken
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602135 3 02 • 12 % vol alcohol
1997 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602135 4 98 • 7.5 % vol alcohol
1994 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese halbtrocken
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602135 2 95 • 10.5 % vol alcohol
Rebenhof
Hüwel 2-3
54539 Ürzig
Germany
Phone: +49 6532 4546
Internet: www.rebenhof.de
E‑mail: info@rebenhof.de
2009 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese trocken
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602100 13 10 • 12 % vol alcohol
2009 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling Von Alten Reben Spätlese trocken
Germany
Mosel • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602100 12 10 • 12.5 % vol alcohol
2006 Ürzig Würzgarten Riesling “Tradition” Spätlese
Germany
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer • Geschützte Ursprungsbezeichnung (g. U.)
Amtliche Prüfungsnummer 2602100 10 07 • 11.5 % vol alcohol
Symbols
| 🯅 | The rating of the wine is based on a single taster. The taster is named in the context of the rating. The tasting was either open or blind. In case of a blind tasting, it is explicitly labelled as such. |
| 🯅🯅 | The rating of the wine is based on two tasters. The tasters are named in the context of the rating. The tasting was carried out according to the four-eyes principle, in which both tasters agree on a joint rating. |
| 🯅🯅🯅 | The rating is based on a tasting by our jury and indicates the Mean value calculated by us from the individual ratings of the tasters. Our mean value is based on the median. |
| ⚖ | The wine was evaluated in a blind tasting. We have strict rules for blind tastings. The tasters do not receive any information that would allow them to identify the wines. The tasters are only given access to further information that goes beyond the subject matter if it is absolutely necessary for understanding the wines. |
| 🕓 | We only had limited time to taste the wine - typically during an open tasting event, such as a wine fair. It was therefore not possible to observe the development of the wine in the glass over a longer period of time. The informative value of our rating may therefore be limited under certain circumstances. |
| ⛬ | The wine was tasted as a barrel sample or before an official test number (Amtliche Prüfungsnummer or Staatliche Prüfnummer) was issued. We only accept samples of unfilled wines in exceptional cases, and then only if we can assume sufficient stability in the bottle for a period of at least three months. |
| ▲ | During our tasting, the wine showed conspicuous sensory characteristics. This does not necessarily have to be a wine fault. We categorise the quality and quantity of the abnormality and include it in the rating. Wine faults such as cork taint or an atypical ageing generally lead to a complete rejection. |
| Tastings that refer to the same bottle of a wine are visually summarised by a dotted line. |