Rosch’s Rockin’ Riesling! – Tales of a Blind Tasting

A couple of us from Dee Vine Wines recently warmed two of the twelve seats at a double-blind tasting of 2008 Kabinetts and Spätlese.  The results were most interesting, and surprising!After a few quick hellos and a brief overview of the ’08 vintage in Germany, we sat down and poured ourselves 50ml tastes of Kabinett.  Conversation was forbidden before notes were taken and scores assigned.  Assessing six Kabinetts took no longer than 15-20minutes and after the scores were tabulated, we were stunned when the bottles were revealed.

In 3rd place with 30 points (lower scores are better) was the 2008 Schmitges “vom roten Schiefer” Kabinett ($16.00).  Attractive floral notes and talcum.  Nice expression of acid and minerality on the palate.

In 2nd place with 29 points was the 2008 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Kabinett ($26.50).  This wine was #1 in my ranking.  I loved the expression of sweet yellow fruits on the nose (this was the most “open” of the 6 Kabinetts).  The balance of sweetness to acidity was perfect and I just wanted to chug the glass.

In 1st place with 27 points was the 2008 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Kabinett $15.50.  This wine was #2 in my ranking.  I was thrilled to see this result as Werner Rosch has been crafting absolutely delicious, long lived and incredibly inexpensive Kabinetts that are favorites of our local customers.  This wine is a little more generous in the mouth than the Haag with stone fruits and apple.  This was also the least expensive wine at the tasting.

This result was particularly impressive in that the other Kabinetts were from two of the most respected and revered producers in the Mosel and Ruwer.

Only four Spätleses to taste and again, a shocking result.

In 2nd place with 25 points was the 2008 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Spätlese ($38.50).  Take the Brauneberger Kabinett, expand the dynamic interplay of sweet fruit, acidity and minerality and you would get a good snapshot of this wine.  Year after year, one of my favorites!  $38.50 (very limited)

In 1st place with 20 points was the 2008 Josef Rosch Trittenheimer Apotheke Spätlese ($27) .  By the time this wine was revealed, there were a few chuckles and smiles around the room.  My notes say:  “this is a sexy wine” and “holy crap that’s good, snappy and vibrant”

What a night for Werner Rosch.  And we carry 46 of his wines in our online wine shop (CLICK HERE and search on “rosch”)  10% off mixed cases of 12!

Dee Vine Wines