Weingut Reinhard und Beate Knebel

Winningen, Mosel
weingut-knebel.de

Vineyard area: 7 ha (97% Riesling, 3% Weissburgunder)
Best sites: Winninger Uhlen, Röttgen, Hamm and Bruchstück
Vinification: indigenous yeasts, slow fermentation on lees in stainless steel. No fining.

Tasting Notes

Winninger Hamm Riesling Spätlese Feinherb 2005

Medium straw color. Developing nose with a medium intensity of white asparagus, celery root, grapefruit and minerals. Off-dry, medium(+) acidity, medium body and alcohol. Medium intensity of grapefruit, browned apple and spices with a slightly creamy mouthfeel. Medium(+) length. Drink now through 2020.

Interesting nose: the smell of raw, not cooked, root vegetables with a dash of fruit and minerality. The palate is concentrated, mostly apple and spices. The residual sugar and natural acidity add to its complexity by providing a balance to the wine's overall spiciness. Should pair well with pork and cream sauces, but it's also a fine wine to enjoy by itself.

Winninger Röttgen Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2005

Medium straw color. Youthful nose with pronounced aromas of minerality, lemon, honey, gooseberry and grapefruit. Dry, medium to high acidity, high alcohol. Medium body with a creamy mouthfeel. Pronounced intensity of grapefruit, minerality, flowers and black pepper. Long length with a distinct bitter and peppery finish.

Grapefruit is definitely the focus here, the fruit flavours being very concentrated and intensified by the pronounced spice. Powerful but overall well balanced, if a little on the alcoholic side. Drink now or hold for 7-10 years.

Von den Terassen Riesling Trocken 2005

Youthful nose. Medium intensity of ripe apple, candied citrus fruit, wet hay and smoke. Dry, medium to high acidity, medium alcohol and body. First impression on the palate is a distinct spiciness, followed by citrus fruit, graefruit, peach and minerality. Medium(+) length with a bitter finish.

Very aromatic wine. The spiciness at the beginning and the bitterness of the finish make this Riesling the more acidic cousin of an Alsatian Gewurztraminer. It's still unmistakenly a Riesling but with a very distinct spiciness. The balance overall is well achieved - the is acidity is refreshing and the alcohol of 13% adds weight but does not overpower the fruit. a lot of character for $20!