For one of the most celebrated vintages of the last 20 years, Lauer's Grand Cru "Unterstenberg" did something it has never done before...
...it fermented basically dry.
Always a powerful wine, for 2019 Lauer's Unterstenberg is not only layered and complex, but it flaunts an uncommon and truly unprecedented structure.
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Lauer is famous for his naturally fermented wines and part of the thrill is allowing the wine to find its own inherent balance. Thus, Unterstenberg has in certain years been quite off-dry. While it's been drier in the last two vintages, for 2019 we have the driest, most vibrant Unterstenberg.
For wine lovers that get a thrill from the screaming mineral and whiplash acids of the Saar, this is perhaps the most exciting Unterstenberg ever. Already sold out at the estate, our parcel will sell out quickly at $41.95 and $37.95 on 4-packs.
Mosel Fine Wine's review hints at the force of this wine, writing that the wine has "a powerful and persistent feel of wet stones...on the long and assertive finish. The aftertaste is gorgeously lifted."
The Unterstenberg is from a lower part of Lauer's Grand Cru Kupp, at the bottom of the mountain. It is a warmer, more protected site that produces a profoundly mineral and broad-shouldered wine. While it always shows a brilliant, driving minerality that's beautifully lifted, in 2019 the wine is simply angelic, soaring in a manner not unlike its sibling up the hill, the Stirn.
Lauer has become one of the most famous winemakers in Germany. There is good reason for this: The wines are layered and multidimensional in a way that few are. They are saturating, yet feel weightless.
If you have had a Lauer Riesling, then you know. But if you have not, we strongly urge you, in this vintage especially, to try. But do so quickly, as we expect this to sell out rapidly.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
Mosel Fine Wines: "The 2019er Ayler Kupp Unterstenberg Riesling Fass 12 comes from this prime Lieu-Dit forming the south-southwest facing, front part of the original Kupp hill, and was fermented down to just above legally dry levels of residual sugar (9 g/l). If offers a gorgeous nose made of ginger, elderflower, grapefruit, pear, blue berried fruits, gooseberry, herbs, and minerals. The wine develops quite some Schmelz and tartness on the softly creamy palate, and leaves a powerful and persistent feel of wet stone, laurel, herbs, and spices in the long and assertive finish. The aftertaste is gorgeously lifted up by some bitter-lemon elements. This superb and delicately off-dry tasting wine is hugely promising but will need a few years to integrate its tartness and develop its finesse."
Special 4-Pack Price: $151.80 ($37.95/btl)