2007, 2008, 2016 Müller-Catoir Tasting Lot

“Like the Bürgergarten Riesling Spätlese Trocken, the 2007 Mandelgarten is not at its best today, as it too is still a bit marked by its yeast. Underneath the bouquet is deep and quite serious, as it offers up notes of apple, grapefruit, lovely minerality, citrus peel and some grassiness. On the palate this wine is medium-full, crisp and snappy, with excellent focus and cut, a rock solid core of fruit, and great length and grip on the finish. Again, this is 13.5% alcohol, and yet shows no signs today of heat or imbalance. Most impressive.” (03/2008)

“Labels like this one are probably what confuse American consumers, but the truth is that this is just great wine. Peach and mineral notes with a generous squirt of lime mark the nose, followed by a round, juicy midpalate and with lots of fruit and lots of minerality. It's lush, yet structured with firm acids on the long finish. (JC)” (06/2009)

“The Catoir 2007 Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten Riesling Spatlese trocken features kumquat, lemon, tart yellow plum, as well as high-toned distilled pit fruit and herbal essences, citrus oil, and mothball. Quite voluminous, and with a hint of finishing heat as well as pronounced piquancy, it nevertheless retains ample refreshment and its saline, savory side promotes salivation and invigoration. (DS)” (10/2009)

“Originating with tiny, partially botrytized berries in the so-called Aspen site within the Burgergarten, Muller-Catoir’s 2008 Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Spatlese leads with pungent ginger spice, grapefruit zest, and smoky black tea, as well, as musk melon and red berry preserves, all of which inform an expansive palate of honeyed richness and subtle creaminess yet offering a luscious brand of refreshment and striking sense of buoyancy. Salted caramel and vanilla mingle with the juicy, generous finishing fruit and spice, creating a kaleidoscopically dynamic interaction. This impeccably-balanced and irresistible Riesling should be worth following for at least the next 20 years. (DS)” (02/2010)