2006 Franz Kunstler Riesling Estate Gutsriesling

Also recommended, but no tasting note given. From the first sniff and sip of Gunther Kunstler’s generic bottling, I sensed that this vintage was going to represent welcome improvement in clarity of flavors and balance over several of his recent collections. Leaving aside any winery-specific contributors to quality, the Hochheim vineyards are simply not well-adapted to the warm autumns and rainy periods that have threatened to become the new norm. Like some of the most famous sites along the Rhine in towns like Erbach and Hattenheim, much of what made Hochheim’s vineyards great – their early ripening – has lately often become a handicap. The updward trend this year carried over into two residually sweet Kunstler Rieslings, which were superior in focus and refreshment from those of several recent vintages. Imported: Rudi Wiest, Cellars International, Carlsbad, CA; tel. 800 596 9463