Opened a 2005 Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling
Spatlese two nights ago for a special occasion. A more than
appropriate pick, given that I'm yet to have a wine from Donnhoff
that's been anything less than outstanding. As usual, this delivered
in spades.

Pale yellow in colour. Slightly restrained on the nose at first,
showing quiet but complex aromas of lime, apple, peach and flowers
dusted with minerals. With time the nose opens up and keeps evolving
with the floral character dominating more and some notes of clove also
emerging. On the palate this is plush, medium bodied and very
accessible with tons of youthful sweet fruit, showing rich flavours of
apple, white fruits, lime, orange and some hints of cherry and spice.
Perfect balance with good acidity that becomes more prominent with
time, and a touch of salty minerality on the back palate. Finishes
with good length. Very different though to my experience with the 04
Felsenberg Spat - where that was an incredibly quiet, serene and
subtle wine, this is far more forward and plush, feeling a bit more
similar to the Felsenberg Auslese. Still a fantastic wine (as usual) -
but a very different type of charm here. Still delightful.

Cheers,

Salil

Salil wrote:
Opened a 2005 Donnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling
Spatlese two nights ago for a special occasion. A more than
appropriate pick, given that I'm yet to have a wine from Donnhoff
that's been anything less than outstanding. As usual, this delivered
in spades.

Pale yellow in colour. Slightly restrained on the nose at first,
showing quiet but complex aromas of lime, apple, peach and flowers
dusted with minerals. With time the nose opens up and keeps evolving
with the floral character dominating more and some notes of clove also
emerging. On the palate this is plush, medium bodied and very
accessible with tons of youthful sweet fruit, showing rich flavours of
apple, white fruits, lime, orange and some hints of cherry and spice.
Perfect balance with good acidity that becomes more prominent with
time, and a touch of salty minerality on the back palate. Finishes
with good length. Very different though to my experience with the 04
Felsenberg Spat - where that was an incredibly quiet, serene and
subtle wine, this is far more forward and plush, feeling a bit more
similar to the Felsenberg Auslese. Still a fantastic wine (as usual) -
but a very different type of charm here. Still delightful.

Nice notes, Salil. I think that you're seeing here the vintage
differences between '04 and '05. Like you, I've never had anything
other than an outstanding bottle from Dönnhoff. BTW, I also picked up
the '06 Schloss Vollrads QbA on the strength of your recommendation.

Mark Lipton
--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.hostexcellence.com

On May 2, 11:50 pm, Mark Lipton wrote:
Nice notes, Salil. I think that you're seeing here the vintage
differences between '04 and '05. Like you, I've never had anything
other than an outstanding bottle from Dönnhoff. BTW, I also picked up
the '06 Schloss Vollrads QbA on the strength of your recommendation.

Agree on the vintage making a significant change from 04 to 05,
although it's interesting how the vintage differences are echoed by
different vineyards. I remember tasting the Norheimer Kirschheck
Spatlesen from 2005 and 2004 side by side last year, and while the 05
was just slightly bigger/richer on the palate, the main difference was
in the flavour profile. The 05 according to my notes had an intense
red fruit (cherry and strawberries) and mineral character with time -
the 04 on the other hand was all limes, green apple and white peaches
over minerals. Both fantastic wines though.

Hope you enjoy the Vollrads - although keep an eye out for Josef
Leitz's 06 Dragonstone QbA as well - probably the best easy drinking
value in 06 I've come across.

Cheers,

Salil