2009 Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling

At 11.5% the lowest in alcohol Breuer single-vineyard wine in many years, their 2009 Rudesheimer Beg Schlossberg Riesling evinces aromas of green tea, lily-of-the-valley, narcissus, and fresh lemon. Infectiously juicy, invigoratingly bright, and persistently, intriguingly floral and herbal, this buoyant Riesling offers further fascination in its finishing deposit of crushed stone, salt, and suggestively crystalline mineral nuance, all vibrantly interacting with citrus and flowers. Polished in texture even if lean in terms of body fat, acidity, and mineral adamancy, it should be worth following for at least 6-8 years and might prove more ingratiating in personality after a few years in bottle. Theresa Breuer underplayed the effects of drought conditions during late summer and early autumn 2009 on the performance of her familys vines in the exposed, rocky Rudesheimer Berg, and, admittedly, there are drip lines in some locations to compensate. But I can easily imagine a connection between that drought and the somewhat peaky acids and strident personalities of many wines in the present collection, and Breuer notes that the slightly lower must weights and consequently lower finished alcohol of several wines probably also reflects at least in part vine stress. (The measured levels of acidity are still lower this year than in the corresponding 2008s.) Picking began already at the end of September and lasted until October 25, under conditions Breuer described as “relatively relaxed.” Incidentally, I re-tasted the top 2008s at this address and would rate the Nonnenberg and Berg Rottland a notch up on my account in issue 187. This is an instance where 2009 is I believe highly unlikely to ever approach the outstanding quality level of its immediate predecessor. (Note: most of the dry-tasting Breuer wines are legally trocken but not labeled as such.) Imported by Classical Wines, Seattle WA 206 547 0255