Ever get an email offering a great deal on German wines, and just as you’re about to buy, you think “Wait a minute, was that a good vintage?” ”How long will it age?” ”How is it drinking now, or…ten years from now?” Answers to these and many more of life’s perplexing questions are found in our new German Vintage Notes…
The 2009 German Vintage
2009 Vintage Rating: (not yet rated)
2009 Vintage Description: A Freezing cold winter allowed for 2008 vintage Eiswein. Unusually early bud break and cool and wet weather led to a long and uneven flowering season. A wet spring led to an outbreak of rot in July in some areas, and some had no problems at all. Fortunately, Germany enjoyed an unbelievable 7 weeks of dry, sunny weather from August through late September, which lead to rapid, botrytis-free ripeness. But once the calendar turned to October, vineyards were once again drenched by rain and outbreaks of Botrytis. Frost came a few weeks later, which led to the end of the ripeneing process in some valleys and flat vineyards. Thankfully, from October 15th through November it was warm, dry and sunny again, making for perfect harvest conditions. Speculation has it that 2009 will be an excellent vintage with very low yields, and one marked for Pradikat (ripeness) levels of Spatlese, Auslese, BA, Eiswein and TBA. If your a fan of zippy Kabinetts, its best to stock up on the 2008 vintage!
The 2008 German Vintage
2008 Vintage Rating: 92 – (WS)
2008 Vintage Description: A perfect Kabinett and Spatlese vintage, with aromatics leading the profile. Closely resembling the 1988 vintage, the ’08 was to be the vintage of the decade until it was brought up short by early rains, forcing most vineyards to stop after harvesting at Spatlese ripeness levels (though the handful of Auslese’s that made it in before the rains are worth seeking out). As of spring 2010, these wines are still fruit-forward and drinking really well – those that had initial hints of SO2 on their youthful nose have shed most if not all of it. By 2015-2017, these wines will be marked by graceful acidity and a light balance of fruit.
The 2007 German Vintage
2007 Vintage Rating: 95 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 92 (WA), Rhein 92 (WA).
2007 Vintage Description: Classic, ripe, mineral-driven and elegant – a direct result of a very long growing season. Some call 2007 a modern day 1971, 1975, or even 1953. The wines continue to show well into 2010 as they begin to leave behind their youthful fruit-forward phase. We anticipate these wines will drink very nicely until reaching their highest potential quite a few years from now.
The 2006 German Vintage
2006 Vintage Rating: 92 (WS), Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 95 (WA), Rhein 86 (WA).
2006 Vintage Description: The year of Botrytis! This vintage produced some of the best sweet botrytized wines in quite some time. Remarkably honeyed, extermely complex and long-lived. Unfortunately, this is only true of the Auslese, BA and TBA. Most of the QBA and lower Pradikat wines may seem heavy, earthy and slightly honeyed as a result of this early botrytis. Those who enjoy these characteristics will be pleased to know that such flavors will remain evident even as these wine’s early fruit characteristics begin to fade with maturity. If you’re a collector, its best to buy the higher Pradikatt wines and store them..they’ll easily last 30 – 50 years!
The 2005 German Vintage
2005 Vintage Rating: 98 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 96 (WA), Rhein 93 (WA).
2005 Vintage Description: The description “lush, ripe and aromatic” applies across all levels of Pradikat ripeness. An outstanding vintage with excellent harvest conditions and healthy grapes. Beautifully aromatic, wines from this vintage show a perfect balance with a distinctive minerality. Those who can buy them now and tuck them in for a few years of quiet cellar repose will be well rewarded.
The 2004 German Vintage
2004 Vintage Rating: 91 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 92 (WA), Rhein 93 (WA).
2004 Vintage Description: Vibrant, sleek and zesty – a benchmark for a normal, classic German vintage on the heels of the challenging heat of 2003. Refreshing and firm acidity are found at ripeness levels from Kabinett through Auslese. Wines of this nature often drink well throughout their long evolution into old age. Particularly good vintage for Mosel and Nahe vineyards.
The 2003 German Vintage
2003 Vintage Rating: 94 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 91 (WA), Rhein 89 (WA).
2003 Vintage Description: One of the hottest vintages Germany has ever experienced, and the wines from this year are unique because of that. The drought led to early raisining and had winemakers scrambling to harvest early – rarely the case in Germany. Some of the cooler valleys of Nahe, Mosel (Saar) and Rheingau did better than the vineyards in the flat and open areas. Select producers may have made some of the best wines since the famous 1959′s during this vintage, but only time will tell.
The 2002 German Vintage
2002 Vintage Rating: 93 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 92 (WA), Rhein 91 (WA).
2002 Vintage Description: Wines of this vintage are typically charming, soft, elegant and juicy. Lots of ripe fruit flavors and aromatics are typical in ripeness levels from Kabinett through Auslese. Pfalz and Rheingau are safe bets here.
The 2001 German Vintage
2001 Vintage Rating: 98 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 95 (WA), Rhein 91 (WA).
2001 Vintage Description: Thought to be the best vintage since 1971, these wines have it all. Purtiy, harmony, aromatic complexity, and fine botrytis – a stellar vintage across all ripeness levels. These wines have an inner balance of grace and enticing fruits and acidity. In this vintage, the middle Mosel is a good bet.
The 2000 German Vintage
2000 Vintage Rating: 82 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 76 (WA), Rhein 69 (WA).
2000 Vintage Description: A vintage marked by rain and rot. Although not all was lost on this vintage – some of the producers were able to produce some remarkable and over-looked wines during this difficult vintage. There are some truly great BA, TBA and Eiswein bottlings, particularly those from our auction wine purchases. Good bets are the BA and TBA from Knebel.
The 1999 German Vintage
1999 Vintage Rating: 90 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 86 (WA), Rhein 87 (WA).
1999 Vintage Description: Round and rich with high sugar levels, low acidity and a lot of botrytis. This is the vintage that made the term “climate change” commonplace among German producers. Wines from some of the top producers are still showing good potential with subdued aromatics, especially at ripeness levels at or above Auslese. Worth seeking wines from cooler river valleys, like the Ruwer and Saar.
The 1998 German Vintage
1998 Vintage Rating: 89 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 92 (WA), Rhein 93 (WA).
1998 Vintage Description: Yields, ripeness and acidity were stunted by rains at the onset of harvest. Once again the top producers made wines that time has shown to be elegant, refined and balanced. Eisweins are your safest bet from this vintage, as are wines from the Pfalz.
The 1997 German Vintage
1997 Vintage Rating: 88 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 88 (WA), Rhein 87 (WA).
1997 Vintage Description: Elegance reigned supreme in ’97 – pure fruit, low acidity, and very little Botrytis enabled just about every producer to pull a winner out of their hat. A little more time is needed for some of the higher Pradikat ripeness levels.
The 1996 German Vintage
1996 Vintage Rating: 89 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 91 (WA), Rhein 91 (WA).
1996 Vintage Description: Harvest took place as late as possible to coax a little more fruit from a vintage noted for its racy acidity. Rheingau wines were a little more fruit-forward than other areas.
The 1995 German Vintage
1995 Vintage Rating: 88 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 90 (WA), Rhein 86 (WA).
1995 Vintage Description: High levels of extraction and widespread outbreaks of Botyrtis. Aromatic and fruity in their youth, these wines grew up rather quickly – showing characteristics typically found in a more mature wine. Now these wines are showing a bracing raciness with a light expression of fruit and terroir.
The 1994 German Vintage
1994 Vintage Rating: 86 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 94 (WA), Rhein 87 (WA).
1994 Vintage Description: Don’t let the low scores fool you. Many of Germany’s wine regions struggled to keep acidity in check, but the Mosel made some of the best wines of the decade. Acidity was on the high side and integrated nicely with ripe fruit and a touch of botrytis – exactly the right mix to make incredibly fresh and racy wines, especially at the Auslese and up levels. If you can find it, one of the pinnacles of Mosel wine making is the 1994 Fritz Haag Braunberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr TBA.
The 1993 German Vintage
1993 Vintage Rating: 89 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 88 (WA), Rhein 89 (WA).
1993 Vintage Description: Probably the most under-rated vintage of the decade. Now out of hibernation these wines are extremely balanced and refined. In this vintage, the best regions were the Saar and Ruwer, quite possibly the best wines ever made in these areas. Drinking perfectly right now – clean flavors, dancing acidity and well-blended fruit.
The 1992 German Vintage
1992 Vintage Rating: 88 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 87 (WA), Rhein 85 (WA).
1992 Vintage Description: Well, you can’t win every vintage. This is one of those challenging years. A few great producers came through with shining exceptions but for the most part, ’92 was one of uneven quality. Botrytis was plentiful this year, so if there is a Pradikat level worth looking at it’s the BA and TBA. Look carefully and you’ll find some under-priced treasures amognst the otherwise diluted and soft wines of the vintage.
The 1991 German Vintage
1991 Vintage Rating: 85 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 88 (WA), Rhein 87 (WA).
1991 Vintage Description: Very racy and crisp. Unfortunately, not enough creaminess or fruit to provide an offsetting balance to this vintage’s raciness. Most of the wines have a hard edge to them, and only the best are even close to having enough balance to be enjoyable today. If buying a 1991 as a gift bottle, one would be wise to seek out our Auction selections as they will endure for a longer period of time.
The 1990 German Vintage
1990 Vintage Rating: 97 (WS). Mosel-Saar-Ruwer – 96 (WA), Rhein 96 (WA).
1990 Vintage Description: Powerful, harmonious, great acidity and extract. In their youth, the 90′s were considered to be the best vintage since 1971, largely in part to pure fruit and zesty acidity. As the wines matured, many of them did not fully meet their once lustrous expectations – with fruit that is a bit muted relative to the searing acidity. Only the best wines are now coming into their own as they shed some austerity and regain a sense of balanced finesse.
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