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Mosel
The Mosel
The Mosel is one of the great wine regions of Germany, many would say the greatest. This is Riesling country at its best, the combination of microclimates and soils bringing out the very best in this noble grape. Vineyards cling to the banks of the river - some precipitously steep and dramatic. Few of consequence are far from the river, whose steepest valley slopes make the best wine. At this most northerly of latitudes, winemaking can be a bit hit and miss, and a huge variety of microclimates exists, each dependent on the angle and exposure of each slope to the sun. As the Mosel winds north, river bends provide in places perfect exposure to the sun, and make the region immensely beautiful and dramatic. The exceptional 2001, widely acknowledged as the best for a generation, was followed by more excellent vintages in 2002 and 2003. The Mosel is arguably currently the best overall Riesling region in Germany, with many excellent makers producing exquisite wines that are full of fruit. The region has many unique sites and styles, however in general the wines are characterised by a minerality and citrus acidity derived from the slate soils, which hold the heat of the day and ensure full ripeness. Thin topsoils here force the vine roots deep in their search for nutrients, producing wines with high minerality. Phylloxera cannot survive in slate soils, meaning that many vines here are older, on original ungrafted rootstocks, and the lower yields promote higher concentration and complexity of flavour. The region is divided into three main areas - Lower, Middle, and Upper Mosel - whose wines are generally similar in character, but which vary immensely in quality, with Middle Mosel, centred around the picture-postcard town of Bernkastel-Kues, generally acknowledged as producing the best wines. It is from here that our wines are sourced. We are pleased to offer a selection from the highly respected Dr. Loosen estate, located on the banks of the river just north of Bernkastel-Kues, and also from Willi Schaefer in Graach, whose wines are just sublime.
moselle
Weingut Josef Lex, Klüsserath
A fine selection of wines from Weingut Lex, run by Josef Lex and his wife Doris, in the village of Klüsserath on the banks of the Mosel. The Lex vineyards lie at an altitude of 250 metres, on the steep rock slopes of the Klüsserather Bruderschaft, a hill behind the village. The heat-storing schieferhaltigen soils offer ideal conditions to the Riesling vine. Lex wines are typical of this stretch of the Mosel; the estate has been in family hands for decades and Josef's experience and the favourable site combine to create lovely wines. As well as his Rieslings, Josef makes one of the best Dornfelder reds that I have tasted. Best of all, Lex wines are an absolute bargain.
Klüsserather Bruderschaft
Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2005
Weingut Josef Lex
Ref: 493055
£
TN in preparation.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£7.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Klüsserather Bruderschaft
Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2005
Weingut Josef Lex
Ref: 493056
£
TN in preparation.
Available now.
moselle reisling
Price:
£7.10
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Klüsserather Bruderschaft
Riesling Spätlese Lieblich 2005
Weingut Josef Lex
Ref: 493057
£
TN in preparation.
Available now. !<<noscript>>!! reisling
moselle
Price:
£7.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Riesling Auslese Lieblich 2005 (50cl)
Klüsserather Bruderschaft
Weingut Josef Lex, Klüsserath
Ref: 493047
*
£
A pale lime green, with an arresting nose which is full of limey citrus and underripe apple. It explodes in the mouth with lots of limey citrus flavours and has a smooth creamy sweetness, lots of vibrant crystalline fruit, and excellent length. An extremely good value for money dessert wine.
Now in stock.
dessert wine desert wine sweet wine sticky stickies reisling moselle
Price:
£8.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Dornfelder QbA Trocken 2005 (RED)
Weingut Josef Lex
Ref: 493042
**(*)
Technically this is not a Mosel wine at all, as the grapes are grown by one of Josef's friends in Bingen, some 30 miles away, making it a Rheinhessen wine. Vinification is however carried out by Josef in Klüsserath.
Those of you used to thin wishy-washy German reds are in for a treat. A very dark inky ruby red, approaching opaque, this wine has a nose whch is creamy and earthy with notes of cooked dark berry fruit. On the palate there is full, ripe dark fruit - loganberries and blackberries - with a chalky, earthy overtone, and a slightly herbal note. Lovely creamy texture, and good length, with some spice on the long finish. This really is a lovely wine, and quite a find. Can be drunk on its own, or with food (pork schnitzel, spicy sausages work well). Also works well chilled - treat as you would a mid-weight Beaujolais Cru, like a Chiroubles or Côte de Brouilly.
Now in stock.
germany german red german
moselle
Price:
£8.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Weingut Anton Zimmermann, Bernkastel-Kues
The Zimmermann family has nurtured its winery for four generations.The original building was situated in the heart of the old part of Kues. Twenty-five years ago, the Zimmermann family moved their operations to a central yet peaceful area in new Kues. The current location formerly housed a wine research center. White wines are produced by cultivating exclusively traditional Riesling vines. Zimmerman wines are excellent, and offer superb value for money. The highlight of the range is an outstanding eiswein.
Bernkastel-Kueser Kardinalsberg
Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2005
Weingut Anton Zimmermann
Ref: 493052
£
A pale golden yellow, this wine has a fresh fruity nose with some citrus notes. On the palate there are stone fruit (white peach) and citrus flavours, with green apples and orchard fruit coming through on the finish. An excellent wine both as an apéritif or with fish and white meat dishes.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£8.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Bernkastel-Kueser Kardinalsberg
Riesling Spätlese Halbtrocken 2005
Weingut Anton Zimmermann
Ref: 493053
£
TN in preparation.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£8.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Bernkastel-Kueser Weisenstein
Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2001
Weingut Anton Zimmermann
Ref: 493017
£
A pale golden yellow, with a pronounced citrus nmose. On the palate this tastes quite mature; lots of good green apple and stone fruit, dominated by citrus flavours. Creamy texture, good length. More of a food wine (fish, chicken pork).
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£9.25
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Bernkastel-Kueser Kardinalsberg
Riesling Auslese Trocken 2001
Weingut Anton Zimmermann
Ref: 493018
£
A pale golden yellow, the nose is quite complex, with pepper and spice, along with some citrus and a herbal note. On the palate this is quite forward, with quite a full-bodied structure, and good fruit flavours; some stone fruit. Really quite rich yet still quite dry. Citrus note comes through on the long finish. A wine for food.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£10.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Bernkastel-Kueser Weisenstein
Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2002
Weingut Anton Zimmermann
Ref: 493019
£
A pale golden yellow, with a slightly floral, limey fresh nose. Lots of forwsard fruit on the palate, with exotic fruits and yellow stone fruit flavours, and a hint of grapefruit. Good body and well balanced - tastes quite dry yet rich, with a mineral note and a creamy texture. Citrus flavours emerge on the long finish. An excellent food wine. 10.5% ABV.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£9.25
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Bernkastel-Kueser Weisenstein
Riesling Auslese Halbtrocken 2002
Weingut Anton Zimmermann
Ref: 493020
£
A very pale yellow-green, with an elegant nose of lime and white flowers. The palate immediately assails with its rich creamy texture and masses of rich ripe fruit, with exotic fruit flavours - hints of peaches and passion fruit. Just a hint of honey on the finish, followed by a restrained yet pleasing mineral acidity.This was for me the highlight of Josef Zimmermann's halbtrocken range.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£10.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Eiswein 2003 (Riesling) 37.5cl
Bernkastel-Kueser Kardinalsberg
Weingut Anton Zimmermann
Ref: 493021
***
Possibly the finest wine in my list? Josef Zimmermann is justifiably proud of his Eiswein; in a region where many makers have in their portfolio an Eiswein, this one stands out from the crowd by a mile, and I am pleased to have been able to secure a tiny allocation - Josef only made 100 litres of this 100% Riesling wine in 2003 (the harvest was early in the morning on 3 January 2004.) The quantity is so tiny because of the relatively small area of vineyard where conditions for Eiswein occur, and because of the peckish wild boar that roam the vineyards and which are partial to grapes. Josef reckons he loses 50% of the grapes which would otherwise be used for Eiswein to the boar; this is more of a problem in flatter vineyards such as Kardinalsberg - as the boar dislike the steeper slopes found widely elsewhere in the Mosel valley. A light golden yellow, with a rich nose of honey and botrytis, with a hint of smoke. On the palate this wine is nothing short of sumptuous, a rich huge example with tremendous depth of flavour and immense complexity. There are flavours of prunes, honey, peaches, some exotic tropical flavours including passion fruit and mango, with a smokey edge. There are also figs, raisins, sultanas. This wine is incredibly warming, and has huge length - the finish goes on forever. A fabulous wine, reminiscent of some of the best Austrian TBAs and Ausbruchs, and for me undoubtedly the highlight of the Zimmermann range, possibly of my German range. Tremendous ageing potential running to many decades. Definitely one for the Christmas pudding. The photo shows the grapes for this wine being harvested, at 4am on 3 January 2004.
Available now.
ice wine dessert wine desert wine sweet wine sticky stickies reisling moselle
Price:
£32.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein, Graach-Schäferei/Mosel
Weingut Philipps Eckstein is a small family estate located high on the hillside above the Mosel in the village of Graach-Schäferei, close to Graach itself. The property has been in the family for generations, and offers an excellent range of mainly white wines - but with some decent reds too - as well as an excellent Sekt. The vineyards are mainly Graacher Himmelreich and Domprobst, but these wines come with prices more appropriate for humbler origins. Many of the wines have been distinguished with medals in German wine competitions, but are not well known outside Germany. Patrick Philipps, current generation proprietor and winemaker, gets a mention on the German Gault-Millau wine guide. Excellent wines at excellent prices, and a real find.
Not only does the estate make wine, but it also runs a small
Winzerwirtschaft,
serving wines by the glass and tasty meals, and also a number of rooms to let. If you are visiting the area, seeking a quiet place to stay, nestled amongst the vineyards, with fabulous views over the Mosel valley below, then consider staying here. More details can be seen
here
.
Riesling Classic Qualitätswein 2004
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493029
*
A very pale lime green, great clarity of appearance. On the nose this wine is light and fruity. It is essentially quite a dry wine, despite being technically halbtrocken - on the palate there is masses of fruit, rather more than the nose suggests, with some citrus flavours, a creamy texture, and minerals on the long fruity finish. An excellent entry-level Riesling which makes a great summer wine, to drink chilled (11-12 degrees) with or without food.
Note:- The "Classic" notation means a wine that has a maximum of 15g/l residual sugar, & minimum 12% ABV. The vineyard may not be specified on the label, although this is from Domprobst. Also can be classified trocken or halbtrocken - this wine is technically halbtrocken, although this is not shown on the label.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£7.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Graacher Himmelreich
Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2005
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493062
£
TN in preparation.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£8.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Graacher Himmelreich
Riesling Spätlese Lieblich 2005
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493063
TN in preparation.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£9.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Graacher Domprobst
Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2005
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493058
TN in preparation.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£13.50
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Graacher Domprobst
Riesling Spätlese Alte Reben 2005
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493060
TN in preparation.
Available now.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£14.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Graacher Himmelreich
Riesling Spätlese Halbtrocken 2005
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493059
TN in preparation.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£13.50
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Graacher Himmelreich
Riesling Spätlese 2003
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493061
TN in preparation.
reisling
moselle
Price:
£15.82
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
Graacher Domprobst
Riesling Sekt QbA Brut 2004
Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: 493034
In a region where many winemakers make a Sekt, this one stands out from the crowd. Often Sekt is made with lesser grapes from undistinguished sites, but here we have a real gem. Patrick Philipps makes just 700 bottles a year of this delightful Sekt from 100% Riesling from none other than the Graacher Domprobst vineyard, using the Champagne "methode traditionelle". A pale golden yellow with a stream of fine bubbles, with a dry fruity nose with a hint of spice. On the palate it is dry, with a toasty leesey quality, with masses of fruit and good body.
Available now.
riesling reisling sekt fizz cremant crémant fizzy sparkling champagne
moselle
Price:
£12.95
Including VAT at 17.5%
Quantity:
