WTN: '01 Donnhoff Leistenberg Kabinett

[David M. Bueker]

2001 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett (Nahe)
Is this finally starting to show well after just a completely truculent adolescence? Maybe. It's no longer just a glass of barely fruited mineral water, but has developed a vibrant lemon-cream element (somewhat reminiscent of Wehlener Sonnenuhr) over the mineral water base that has always been at the center. There's even some beeswax and the smoke of a far away fire. The wine is still very young, and it shows much more stuffing than it has in the past, so I'm very hopeful for the next couple of years. The 9% alcohol meant that the bottle disappeared rather quickly.

The wine is still very young, and it shows much more stuffing than it has in the past, so I'm very hopeful for the next couple of years.

But haven't you heard that Donnhoff can't age?
In seriousness, sounds really delicious. Glad to hear it's drinking well - I opened my lone bottle of the '02 a couple of months ago and it was excellent (although still incredibly primary).

[David M. Bueker]

All i can say is that I am glad I have so much 2001, as it's really hard to keep my hands off them right now.

So this is one vintage in which you'll hold onto this wine?

I thought I remembered you saying that in other vintages the OL Kabinett is best drunk near release.

[David M. Bueker]

This is the first time that I have had any faith in this bottling's ability to age. Maybe I was too impatient.