2007 Dr Hermann Riesling Erdener Treppchen Spatlese

Mosel, Germany

Dr. Hermann Riesling Erdener Treppchen Spatlese is a great wine to advance your exploration of the noble Riesling grape, a true gem in the world of wines. Spatlese indicates a fully ripened light wine from the main harvest, typically semi-sweet with crisp acidity, and is the second (next to lowest) level of ripeness in the German classification of Pradikatswein. Erdener Treppchen is the name of the single-vineyard source of the grapes, an extremely steep vineyard of red slate and sandstone with vines from 30 to 80 years old. Dr. Hermann wine estate is located in the town of Ürzig in the Mosel, where the family has been involved in winemaking for several centuries. Rudy Hermann took over the estate from his father in 1974 and his son Christian joined him as the winemaker in 2001. Dr. Hermann winery was selected as the Rising Star of the Year 2008 by Wein Plus in Germany. Gault Millau awarded Dr. Hermann its 3rd bunch of grapes in 2009. To top it all the Eichelmann Deutschlands Weine 2009 awarded the winery a 4th star award. In the words of Joel B. Payne in Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, “this is Mosel Riesling at its best.” We whole-heartedly concur! This wine received an 88-point rating from Wine Spectator.

Dr. Hermann Riesling Erdener Treppchen Spatlese is light yellow-green in color with a beautiful nose of apricots, green apples, citrus, spices and minerals, with some notes of red berries. The soil of red slate and sandstone gives this wine its exotic, spicy aromas as well as its great potential for aging. This medium-bodied white delivers sweet fruit with a dry finish, beautifully balanced with its lively acidity. It offers rich flavors of apricots, peaches, citrus, honey and spice. It was harvested by hand at optimum ripeness, and fermented in stainless steel, with no oak. This wine is elegant and complex, with a long, spicy finish.

Enjoy Dr. Hermann Riesling Erdener Treppchen Spatlese over the next 10-15 years with pan-fried trout, grilled shrimp, chicken satay, and spicy Thai dishes.