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2005 Max Wagner ½ Case S'Dealproduct-timed-pdf - Trarbacher Schlossberg 'Castle Hill,' *Ultra-Concentrated Spätlese

Why We're Drinking It

Self-proclaimed “Riesling nerds,” (like our Panel) will tell you this: just hearing the word “Mosel”, can bring about a feeling of floating away on a cloud of airy stone fruit . So it only makes sense that a limited offering from the most prestigious growing region in Germany at less than 1/3 of the retail price, would have any card-carrying Riesling fan ecstatic. That’s what this is: a wine that over-delivers with a nose that hints of the famous petrol notes and follows through into flavors of ripe apple and peach. With concentrated lemon and the slightest touch of sweetness that excels to a long and lively finish, it's production that resonates with the centuries-old terroir (estate established in 1646). A Riesling (and steal) that’s so good, after the first bottle having only half a case may not seem like enough.

From the winemaking team at Max Wagner (wine-growers in the Mosel region of Germany from 1648), it’s Riesling in the Spätlese designation, the in-between level of Riesling ripeness levels. The fruit grows in the Mosel, the leading region in terms of international prestige - and in grade level for backbreaking steepness throughout the vineyards. Hence, ultra-concentrated wines, even at the table wine level; when it comes to the Spätlese, it's an off-dry sensation, and a capstone half-case s'deal.

Inside Fact: Spätlese, or what New York Times describes as “perhaps the most appealing expression of German Riesling,” refers to the degree of ripeness at which the are harvested. In the German system of ripeness classification, the grapes with the least amount of sugar are destined for wines. Then comes spätlese, and then the riper , beerenauslese, and eiswein.

Tasting Notes

VARIETAL This Trarbacher Schlossberg, or "Castle Hill" wine is developed from the Riesling finest grapes of the Schlossberg vineyard where the roots of the Riesling APPELLATION vines struggle to depths as much as 25 feet below ground on the steepest Mosel vineyards in the world. The result is a world class wine of incomparable ALCOHOL character found only in the great Riesling wines of the Mosel region. These 8.00 areas produce crisp and refreshing wines that drink wonderfully on their own SIZE as well as pair with a wide variety of foods. 750ml BLEND Riesling

The Story to Know

Weingut Max Wagner, established in 1646, has been owned and oper- ated by the same family line for over 350 years. Today, the winery is run by Dr. Wolfgang Nollert and his wife Barbara, original heir to the family estate.

Sitting poised on the banks of the Mosel in Traben, the estate continues to produce wine from estate owned, locally grown vineyards in its centuries old facility. Dr. Nollert leverages the traditions and experience of the past with modern technologies and ideas in the present to produce some of the Mosel’s finest wines.

The twin towns of Traben and Trarbach have become the wine capitals of the Mosel Valley. Their gardenlike promenades are viewpoints for annual international speedboat and water-skiing competitions. The July wine festival attracts visitors from all over Europe to the old wine cellars and taverns of the towns. Above Trarbach, on the east bank of the river, are the remains of the 14th-century Grevenburg Castle, the scene of hard- fought battles to gain control of its strategic position. On the opposite bank, above Traben, are the ruins of Mont Royal, a late-17th-century for- tress built by the invading Louis XIV. Another attraction is the spa resort, Bad Wildstein, with its thermal springs.

The steep slopes on the Mosel, which are now being cultivated with modern wine growing equipment (a hydrostatic caterpil- lar/tractor, which masters a slope/hill with up to a 60% grade) are charac- teristic of the region. The grade, combined with the slate soil offers the sun and drainage conditions perfect for creating great Riesling wines. The “Terroir” attributable to Max Wagner is unique to the Mosel and regions of Germany. It is based on the slate from the “Rheinische Schiefergebirge”, which only exists on the Mosel and in the Rheingau from the DEVON age. From this slate, the Riesling , which roots up to 8 meters deep in the search for water, pulls minerals and tracer elements, which account for the Riesling’s acidity and produce the one-in-a kind character of the Mosel Riesling wine. All other types of vines would cover up or overshadow this character- istic taste and elegance.

Perfect Pairings

This wine is miraculous with smoked salmon (add a squeeze of lemon, a little avocado, and pile it on toast.) The smoke latches into the savory notes in the wine, making something greater than the sum of its parts. Smoked trout would work, too, and it's also lovely with a lightly aged goat gouda.

Ratings

92 Insider Points

Reviews

This is a textbook example of a Mosel Riesling Spätlese, with a slate-grown personality, inviting ripe apple and peach flavors, all underscored by zingy, racy acidity. Delicately balanced, yet concentrated, still youthful and vivid with lemon, tropical fruit and mineral flavors. Medium-bodied and medium sweet, with just a hint of those famous, complex 'petrol' notes starting to develop. Drink now-2017. -GA