Top Examples From An Important Vintage
"2019 is one of the best vintages of the last 20 years." - Klaus Peter Keller
Keller, of course, has no need to exaggerate the quality of any vintage. His wines are simply too sought after.
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And he is not alone in the extreme praise of the 2019 vintage; the scholarly Mosel Fine Wine states, "2019 looks to be one of the finest vintages ever in the Mosel."
The biggest issue is that it is also an extremely short vintage. These wines will be gone before you know they're here if you're not paying attention.
We have not had the opportunity to taste Vollenweider's 2019s (they arrive in September), but word on the street is that this is one of the top collections of the vintage.
Daniel Vollenweider has established himself as a top practitioner of Prädikat wines (Kabinett, Spätlesen, Auslesen). His importer sums up the style as "an amazing and almost dangerous-feeling balance of exotic opulence and incisive cut". That captures the wines very well. From everyone that we've spoken to, the 2019s have this signature and it is taken to a very compelling extreme, complete with incredibly focused saline minerality.
All wines are listed below with complete notes; priority will be given to balanced orders. You can find full tasting notes from Mosel Fine Wine below.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
2019 Vollenweider
2019 Kröver Steffensberg Spätlese
Special Bottle Price: $37.95
Mosel Fine Wine: "The 2019er Kröver Steffensberg Riesling Spätlese was made from essentially clean fruit harvested at 103° Oechsle, and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (90 g/l). It offers an absolutely stunning nose made of quince, star fruit, pear, candied lemon zest, white peach, wet stone, and smoky herbs. Despite its huge must weight, the wine comes over as remarkably playful and is driven by a superbly ripe sense of acidity. The finish is racy, engaging, and superbly mouthwatering. This sweet wine proves a huge success, but one has to keep in mind that this is a fuller bodied expression of Mosel sweet wine than the Spätlese label may indicate. Think “drinking feine Auslese” and then enjoy in a decade and much more!"
2019 Wolfer Goldgrube Spätlese
Special Bottle Price: $39.95
Mosel Fine Wine: "The 2019er Wolfer "Goldgrube Riesling Spätlese was made from fruit partially affected by botrytis (20%) picked at 96° Oechsle, and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (92 g/l). It offers a rather backward nose made of pear, mirabelle, whipped cream, a hint of fresh pineapple, and plenty of smoke and wet stone. The wine is gorgeously and finely chiseled on the palate, where subtle flavors of lemon, apricot blossom, white pepper, and herbs woe for one’s attention. The finish is all about subtle creamy and zesty finesse, and this despite the comparatively high sugar levels of the must. This gorgeous “feine Auslese” expression of Riesling is simply to die for. We would not be surprised if it would eventually warrant an even higher rating, such is its potential. What a wine!"
2019 Wolfer Goldgrube Auslese
Special Bottle Price: $66.95
Mosel Fine Wine: "The 2019er Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Auslese was made from fruit partially affected by botrytis (40%) picked at 105° Oechsle, and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar (105 g/l). This bright-yellow-white-colored wine offers a still slightly backward and reduced nose made of elderflower, grapefruit, herbs, earthy spices, and herbal elements, all wrapped into mirabelle cream. The wine proves delicately creamy on the palate, and leaves a beautifully fragrant and racy feel in the finish. The after-taste is seductive, and yet quite animating as it is driven by some smashing white and yellow fruits (with only a hint of apricot and honey in the background). This superb noble-sweet wine will offer much pleasure at maturity.
2019 Kröver Steffensberg Auslese Gold Capsule (375ml)
Special Half-Bottle Price: $39.95
Mosel Fine Wine: "The 2019er Kröver Steffensberg Riesling Auslese GK was made from 80% botrytized fruit picked at 126° Oechsle, and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar (145 g/l). It offers a beautiful nose made of quince puree, mango, pineapple, elderflower, bergamot, and honeyed almond cream on the nose. The wine is full-on sweet and honeyed on the palate at first but this side is quickly whipped up by some firm acidity which brings focus to the finish. The after-taste is almost tart as the raciness concentrates the flavors driven by pear puree, honey, and almond cream. This noble-sweet wine will need quite a few years to develop its full finesse. It could then exceed our high expectations, especially as it mellows away."
2019 Wolfer Goldgrube Auslese Gold Capsule (375ml & 750ml)
Special Half-Bottle Price: $69.95
Special Bottle Price: $124.95
Mosel Fine Wine: "The 2019er Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Auslese GK was made from fully botrytized fruit picked at 128° Oechsle, and was fermented down to noblesweet levels of residual sugar (140 g/l). It offers a stunningly bright nose made of elderflower, red fruits, pear puree, whipped cream, pineapple, floral elements, and smoke. The wine is superbly playful and elegant on the palate, and leaves a stunningly vibrant feel in the long and engaging finish. The aftertaste is all about orchard fruits, honey, whipped cream, and citrusy acidity, all wrapped into cassis and elderflower. This is an epic Auslese in the making!"