2008 German DI (Direct Import) Offering From Canal’s Hainesport

When tasting the 2008 vintage, what kept resonating were the lingering, refreshing finishes.  It’s the best Pfalz vintage since 2001 and another strong vintage in the Nahe, with Kruger - Rumpf and Jacob Schneider providing amazing values.  2008 is strong at the Kabinett level, something lacking in previous years.  That, combined with a drop in price from a number of producers, provides an offering loaded with values.

Follow the link to Terry Theise’s new catalogue with descriptions of each wine from his portfolio http://www.skurnikwines.com/msw/documents/2009GermanCatalogFinal.pdf

TERMS

1) Order deadline, Thursday July 9, 2009

2) Must order a minimum of 3 bottles/item minimum

3) 50% deposit due on confirmation of order (approximately late July), balance due upon arrival (early October)

4) Bottle price listed indicates the top discount

Notes in pink are Beth Sheligo’s notes

SELBACH-OSTER

Zeltinger Himmelreich “Anrecht” Spatlese - $20.99, ++ Terry Theise

Distinctive nose, slate with cinnamon/apple and a floral overlay. Rich fruit mid-palate, profound finish, with all the components coming together.
Graacher Himmelreich Halbtrocken Kabinett - $16.99

 Nice balance, good zip and spice to the finish, minerals up the kazoo.

Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett - $16.99, + Terry Theise i.e. TT

Touch of sulfur on the nose, crunchy blue slate on the palate, good balance.

Zeltinger Schlossberg Spatlese - $20.99

Tightly wound wine, solid Mosel slate component, has good sweetness and balance, a lot going on and going for it.

Zeltinger Schlossberg “Schmitt”- $32.99, ++ TT

Very masculine minerality with fruit underpinning; blue slate flavors, well finessed fruit, outstanding structure, and pinpoint precision.

Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling  “Rotlay” - $32.99, ++ TT

Great nose and palate impression, deep well of fruit with a floral component, rich, intense, deep core of slate with a great finish, all spice, mineral and fruit.

WILLI SCHAEFER

Estate Riesling - $14.99

Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett - $18.99, + TT

Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett  - $18.99, + TT

Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10 - $17.99, + TT

Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #5 – $33.99, ++ TT

Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese - $73.99, ++ TT

JJ CHRlSTOFFEL, Terry Theise, “best vintage since 2001”

Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett - $19.99– Nice juicy fruit and keen minerals, touch of spicy red slate in the finish.

Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese - $22.99, ++ TT

Racy acidity, very nice zip, well done.

Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese **-  $41.99, +++, TT

Terry Theise “ BEST YOUNG WINE I’VE EVER HAD AT CHRISTOFFEL”

Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett - $19.99

Nice juicy fruit and keen minerals, touch of spicy red slate in the finish.

Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese  - $23.99, ++ TT

Forthcoming nose of clean fruit, very pure flavors of spice and slate.

Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese** - $41.99, +++ TT

Big mouthful of wine, mineralic; very nice long finish, harmonious resolution of fruit and slate.

Urzger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese *** - $49.99, + TT

Very pretty fruit, lots of mineral and spice, slatey/spice finish builds in the mouth long after the wine has left – excellent.

A.J. ADAM

Dron Kabinett – $20.99, ++ TT

Among the 1-2 best Kabinett’s in the offering

Dron Hofberg – $33.99

VON OTHEGRAVEN - Terry Theise, “winery of the vintage”

Kanzem Atlenberg Kabinett Erste Lage - $18.99

Terry Theise, “ wine of the vintage, +++”

MEULENHOF

Erdener Treppchen Kabinett - $14.49

Nice crisp acidity, brilliant fruit tones overlay minerals. Excellent Kabinett.

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese - $16.99.

Lovely blue slate nose, very pretty mid-palate, lots of spice!!

Erdener Treppchen Spatlese* – $16.99

Great zip and punch, races across the palate, crunchy mineral and apple mid-palate, spicy finish.

Erdener Treppchen Spatlese Alte Reben – $16.99

Big mineral burst up front, lots of structure, great fruit and a sizeable, mouth filling, mineral bath for the tongue.

Erdener Pralat Spatlese – $16.99

Viscous looking in the glass and silky feeling in the mouth. Solid wine, gains complexity in the mouth, well balanced, has great fruit in the finish.

KERPEN

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett - $14.99

Big blue slate nose, minerals are very forward, tinge of spice on the finish.

Bernkasteler Bratenhofchen Riesling Spatlese  – $18.99 Crunchy minerals outshine fruit, very good balance, well structured, great length to the finish, which is all apple skin and spice.

Wehlener Sonnenuhr  Spatlese* (Artist Label) - $21.99

Karlsmuhle

Kaseler Nies'chien  Riesling Kabinett - $16.99

Kaseler Nies'chien  Riesling Spatlese - $21.99

Lorenzhofer Mauerchen Kabinett - $16.99

MERKELBACH

Erdener Treppchen Kabinett #7-#10 - $12.49, + TT

Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett #9, #10, #11, #20 - $13.49, + TT

Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese – $14.99, + TT

SCHMITT-WAGNER

Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett - $14.99

100 year old vines – Dry style, good acid and minerals, fruit reticent.

Maximiner Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese - $17.99

Intense; ripe fruit with minerals, filigree. Excellent minerals in the finish – a sleeper that should improve with some air and time

LOEWEN

Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Kabinett - $13.99

Green apple nose, zippy on the tongue, Granny Smith apple flavors all the way, nice mineral finish.

Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spatlese - $20.99

Grey slate soil – Peach skin nose, peach mid-palate, noticeable residual sugar perfectly balanced by minerals. Yummy.

Thronicher Ritsch Riesling Spatlese - $20.99

Bracing acidity, lovely fruit, peach blossom and minerals, good length to the finish.

REUSCHER-HAART

Liter Piesporter  Riesling – $12.99

Nice racy zip, good stuffing, pretty residual sugar, citric acid on the finish.
Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett – $14.99

Very nice fruit, excellent acidity, good mineral backbone.
Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese #10 – $16.99

Good spice, all apple and apple blossom nose, fetching nuance and great finish.

Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese #12 – $16.99

Big fruit, more minerals, well balanced.

DONNHOFF

Estate Riesling - $16.99, + T Theise

Great introductory wine with excellent balance and lots of minerals.

Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Kabinett - $19.99, + T Theise

Excellent fruit, nice white cherry undertone and spice, good stuffing and finish.

Oberhauser Leistenberg Kabinett - $21.99

By far the best Kabinett Helmut has made. ++ T Theise

Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese - $31.99

Heady aromas of fruit and spice, intense mineral and spice on the palate, firm finish.

Schlossbeckheimer Kupfergrube Riesling Spatlese - $41.99, +++ TT

Orange and peach aroma, intense minerals, great grip mid-palate, complex, layered finish: fruit, acid and minerals come together in the finish like the final note in a chord.

Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese - $44.99, ++ TT

A rock face of minerals polished into a solid stone, very clear and pure flavors, minerals and spice on the finish.

Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese - $51.99, ++(+) TT

DlEL

Goldloch Riesling Kabinett – $25.99

Big step up in fruit, juicy acidity, nice clean clarity of fruit mid-palate, excellent mineral impression in the finish.

Pttermannchen Riesling Spatlese – $39.99

Apple nose, intense apple and pear mid-palate, very rich, bold flavors, fruit and mineral, exotic.

Terry Theise “one of top Spatlese’s of vintage.

Scheurebe Spatlese –– $32.99

Pink Grapefruit!! Ripe and sweet, great minerals, perfect, true scheu flavors, has a spicy, long finish.

Terry Theise “tied for Scheurebe of vintage”

HEXAMER

Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg "Quarzit - $15.99, + TT

Brilliant, very mineralic with fruit peeking through, great finish, best Quarzit so far.

Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Kabinett - $19.99, +TT

Nose and mid-palate sensation of red fruit and minerals, good balance, stellar.

Meddersheimer Fruhlingsplatzchen Spatlese - $22.99, + TT

Very nice minerals on the nose and palate with some floral tones, good body and balance, elegance, finesse.

Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg Spatlese ** - $24.99, ++ TT

Great zip, good body, has a citrus/papaya/orange blossom profile, sweetness balanced with minerals, great finish.

KRUGER-RUMPF

Riesling (liter) – $14.99

Very nice spice, good balance, thirst quenching acidity.

Scharlachberg Riesling Grosse Gewachs – $32.99

Great nose, wonderful mineral notes, excellent dry wine for food, excellent finish.

Scheurebe Trocken – $14.99

Mineral and flinty nose, restrained fruit, grapefruit mid palate, lots of minerals and a good spice tail to the finish.

Munsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett – $15.99

Little touch of sulfur on the nose, nice balance of fruit and mineral mid-palate.

Munsterer Kappelenberg Riesling Kabinett – $15.99

Juicy, piquant fruit, lovely balance, long finish, complex.

Scheurebe Kabinett – $14.99

Grapefruit profile, nicely balanced spice and mineral.

Munsterer Dautenpflanzer Riesling Spatlese – $18.99

Citric nose, has a nice sweet/ tart fruit flavor mid-palate, clean finish.

Munsterer Pittersberg Riesling Spatlese – $19.99

Fruit overlay on minerals, picks up spice in the finish, more complex impression than this note communicates, a pleasure.

Binger Scharlachberg Riesling Spatlese – $19.99

Big minerals up front, nice fruit on the back end.

JACOB SCHNEIDER

Liter Riesling Kabinett – $13.99.

Very pretty, all spice and beautiful fruit, substantial finish, well made, great value.

Niederhauser Klamm Kabinett – $16.99

Fruit forward and friendly, runs across the palate and loops around the tongue. Good to sip.

Niederhauser Hermannshohle Spatlese – $25.99, +TT

Huge mouthful of tart cherry, spice and minerals – complex flavors, has finesse, will develop.

375ml Norheimer Kirscheck Eiswein - $34.99, (+) TT

LElTZ

Dragonstone Riesling - $12.49

Juicy acidity and rich minerals, lovely fruit – go back for more!!

Rudesheimer Berg Rottland Trocken “Alte Reben” - $35.99

Good mineral component, very nice ripe fruit.

Rudesheimer Klosterlay Kabinett - $13.99

Very pretty fruit, nicely balanced, good acidity, perfect finish, outstanding.

Rudesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spatlese - $16.99

Prettily floral and citric, has very nice mineral balance, good acidity, well structured.

Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck Riesling Spatlese - $24.99

Fetching aroma of citrus blossom, very nice rich minerals, clear, pure, deep and complex, outstanding.

SPRElTZER

Oestricher Lenchen Riesling Kabinett - $16.99.

Complex nose, quince and Mirabelle, good fruit mid-palate, very open, well done.

Winkeler Jesuitengarten Riesling Spatlese – $24.99

Brilliant impression, huge fruit component, very nicely balanced.

Oestricher Lenchen Spatlese “303” - $37.99

Great viscosity, full, mineralic, well balanced, excellent finish.

WEINGART

Bopparder Hamm Ohlenberg Kabinett Feinherb- $16.99

Terry Theise, “ tied for top Kabinett of vintage”

GYSLER

Liter Silvaner Halbtrocken - $12.99

Liter Scheurebe  Halbtrocken - $12.99

375ml Weinheimer Holle Huxelrebe Beerenauslese - $28.99

STRUB

Niederhauser Gruner Veltliner Kabinett Trocken - $12.99

Niersteiner Orbel Kabinett - $14.99, + TT

Niersteiner Bruckchen  Kabinett - $13.99

WAGNER-STEMPEL

Silvaner Trocken - $16.99

Scheurebe Trocken  –  $18.99, + TT

Siefensheimer Hollberg Riesling Spatlese – $29.99, +(+) TT

Siefensheimer Heerkretz Riesling Spatlese – $33.99, ++ TT

GEIL

Bechthelmer Heilig Kreuz Scheurebe Kabinett – $11.99

Bechtheimer Rosengarten Kabinett - $12.99

Bechtheimer Geyersberg Spatlese - $16.99

375ml  Bechtheimer Geyersberg Rieslaner BA - $27.99

MULLER-CATOlR

Haardter Burgergarten Muskateller Kabinett Trocken - $25.99

Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Spatlese - $39.99

Herzog Rieslaner Spatlese - $38.99 +++ Terry Theise

375ml Herzog Rieslaner Auslese - $19.99+++ Terry Theise

DARTlNG

Liter Durkheimer Nonnegarten Riesling Kabinett, - $13.99

Durheimer Hockbenn Riesling Kabinett - $12.99

Well layered fruit and mineral, has nice piquancy and balance, excellent.

Durkheimer Spielberg Scheurebe Spatlese - $16.99

Great minerally scheu, good grapefruit notes, lots of sweetness, amazing finish with great acidity

Durkheimer Nonnegarten Rieslaner Auslese - $25.99

Ungsteiner Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese - $16.99

Fantastic! Great interplay of fruit and mineral, juicy acidity, rich, intense, pure, clear, delicious, stellar!

500ml Durkheimer Fronhof Riesling  Beerenauslese - $27.99

500ml Durkheimer Nonnengarten Rieslaner Beerenauslese - $27.99

Fabulous fruit and mineral, great grapefruit and lemon grass mid-palate, clean, long finish, a home run for the QPR.

EUGEN MULLER

Foster Ungeheuer Kabinett - $15.99

Foster Mariengarten Kabinett - $12.99

MESSMER

Liter Riesling - $11.99

MlNGES

Riesling Halbtrocken, LITER - $14.99

Gleisweiler Holle Riesling Spatlese - $19.99

MONCHHOF Ürzig / Mosel

Estate Riesling, $12.99

Racy, zippy, zingy fruit braced with good acidity and balance. QPR wine of the day.

Ürziger Würzgarten Kabinett, $16.99

Excellent fruit, lovely nose, rich, lively, a big wine with a solid mineral finish.

Mosel Slate Spätlese, $15.99

Delicious fruit, intense, bright, finishes well.

Ürziger Würzgarten Spätlese, $22.99

Intense, a bit less open than the earlier wines, but the goods are all there. Solid wine that will improve with some air.

KARTHAUSERHOF

One of the best overall showings from this estate.

Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Feinherb– $19.99

Distinctive spice, good gripping acidity, very nicely rounded.

Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Kabinett – $23.99

Fruit and mineral nose, body, balance and pizzaz. Very nicely done.

Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Spatlese – $32.99

Well balanced fruit and minerals, leaves a mineral impression.

Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Auslese – $44.99

Peach and spice nose, crisp on the palate, some honey beneath the fruit, nicely balanced.

VON BUHL

This producer had the stand out collection of the Rudi Wiest event, IMO.

Deidesheimer Hergottsacker Dry (near the Ungeheuer vineyard) – $19.99

Glass of liquid mineral. Zips across the palate and leaves with a  refreshing finish

Maria Schneider Jazz, semi-dry – (from sandstone soil) - $14.99

Granny Smith Apple on steroids, good minerality with a hint of cinnamon mid palate that explodes on the finish

Armand Kabinett – $16.99

Excellent balance, very bright, crisp acidity, fruit in the finish

375ml Forster Ungeheuer Auslese – $29.99

Harvested at 130 Oeschele, legal Beerenauslese, 20% botrytis. Marvelous mouth feel, good balance, fascinating interplay of fruit and minerals on the tongue. Unique and delicious

FRITZ HAAG

Estate Riesling Berg Rottland - $16.99

Brauneberger Juffer dry, $29.99

Distinctive, nice fruit and good mineral balance.

Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett, $23.99

Plentiful spice and apple on the nose and palate, very clean finish.

Brauneberger Juffer Spatlese –  $26.99

Fruit a bit muted, good structure, apples on the finish, requires decanting.

Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Spatlese “Erste Lage”– $34.99

Fruit is there – apples and cinnamon – lots of weight, has a sound finish.

ZILLIKEN

Medium Dry, “Butterfly” – $14.99

Very refreshing, clean and elegant, balanced.

Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett – $19.99

Good varietal and vineyard character, sleek, slim and elegant.

Saarburger Rausch Kabinett – $19.99

Big and bright, powerful, rich and intense.

Saarburger Rausch Spatlese–  $29.99

Ripe, peach and spice on the palate, a big wine, clean and pristine, great finish, well done.

ROBERT WEIL

Riesling Dry, Estate – $21.99

Very bright, has house style, very nice acidity and balance.

Medium Dry Kabinett, Estate – $29.99

Bright acidity, good fruit mid-palate, with a nice punch to the finish.

Estate Spatlese– $41.99

Excellent balance, delicious fruit mid-palate, spice and mineral in the finish.

Kiedricher Turmberg Spatlese– $69.99

Beautifully delineated fruit, cherry flavors mid palate with a strong mineral underpinning, spicy finish lasts 2 minutes. This wine rated a “do not spit”.

Kiedricher Grafenberg Spatlese – $71.99

Immense, rich, seductive mouthful of wine, excellent fruit and minerals, well balanced.

KUNSTLER

Dry, Estate – $21.99

Intense, very clean, balanced.

Dry, “Old Vines,” Stielweg – $34.99

Rich and intense, liquid mineral, very long finish.

Hochheimer Reichestal Kabinett – $22.99

Well layered intensity of fruit and spice, very well done.

PFEFFINGEN

Ungsteiner Herrenberg Scheurebe Spätlese, $23.99

Gooseberry nose, grapefruit palate, spicy finish.

SCHAFER-FROHLICH

Tim Frohlich told us the harvest was extremely late – he was harvesting into December. His hard work was well worth the results.

Riesling Dry, Bockenauer Felsenick, $22.99

A weighty mouthful of wine.  Nice punch to the fruit, well balanced.

Estate Riesling Medium-Dry, $17.99

Seizes the palate with great grip, lingers a moment with fresh fruit flavors, then exits with some zip.

Estate Kabinett, $22.99

Great nose of spice and fruit, refreshing, very bright on the palate with a great core of fruit and mineral, spice on the finish.

Bockenauer Felseneck Spätlese, $29.99

Notable for its purity of fruit, a distinct Rainer Cherry impression, and great finish.

375ml Bockenauer Felseneck Auslese– $54.99

Magnificent intensity, very ripe, clean fruit, perfect sweetness, pinpoint precision in balancing. My wine of the day

GUNDERLOCH

Estate Riesling Dry, $16.99

(A blend of Rothenberg, Pettenthal and Hipping) – Very mineralic from start to finish, well balanced

Jean Baptiste" Kabinett, $13.99

Piquant, has a nice mineral undertone. Use with food.

Nackenheimer Rothenberg Spätlese, $35.99

Quince on the nose, lots of spice with good intensity, peach/pear fruit mid palate, and a finish reminiscent of white pepper. Exotic and dramatic

JJ PRUM

Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett, $23.99

Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett, $24.99

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett, $29.99

Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese, $31.99

Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese, $32.99

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese, $35.99

Graacher Himmelreich Auslese, $39.99