Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett 2007, Anyone tried it?

Hi,

I am getting ready to order some riesling kabinett and I can get some Selbach-Oster riesling kabinett 2007 from the Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard. Has anyone tried this wine yet? Do you recommend it?

[David M. Bueker]

Haven't tried it, but Selbach did a great job in 2007. I really like the 2007 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett, and I'm no huge fan of 2007.

Thanks David,

What kind of riesling vintage was 2007 in Germany? Good, bad, or mixed?

What kind of riesling vintage was 2007 in Germany? Good, bad, or mixed?

Ripe and tending towards soft but not at all overblown botrytis and generally lighter than 2003, 2005, or 2006. Whether that is good or bad depends on your preferences and your buying strategy.

[David M. Bueker]

It was a very consistent vintage Tom. High quality, moderate acids & very fruity.

Rahsaan - lighter as in less full-bodied, less concentrated, lower alcohol, or all of the above? Lighter can be good for a summer refresher. Will the '07s be good for that?

David - does fruity and moderate acidity imply shorter term and early approachability as opposed to the need for longer aging?

[David M. Bueker]

Well the wines are certainly approachable now in their youth, but almost all German Riesling vintages are.

I would think the 2007s will age just as well as any other vintage. They might avoid a long, cranky period (the 2001s are experiencing that, taking their own sweet time to open back up from slumber, much as the 1990s did) due to their softer balance than some vintages that were more acidic.

...lighter as in less full-bodied, less concentrated, lower alcohol, or all of the above?

2003, 2005, and 2006 seemed much heavier on the botrytis, generally speaking.

[David M. Bueker]

2005 is a very clean vintage (low botrytis) as is much of 2003.

2006 is a botrytis bomb.

2005 is a very clean vintage (low botrytis) as is much of 2003.

2006 is a botrytis bomb.

So you would put 2003, 2005, and 2007 closer together than 2003, 2005, and 2006 on the botrytis issue?

Excuse the newbie questions WRT Germans...

Botrytis as in the "good" (if you like the style) kind that makes Sauternes and Barsac sweet? Does this actually make the wines sweeter or just impart a heavy, honey-like character?

Botrytis as in the "good" (if you like the style) kind that makes Sauternes and Barsac sweet? Does this actually make the wines sweeter or just impart a heavy, honey-like character?

Yes.

It was a very consistent vintage Tom. High quality, moderate acids & very fruity.

Thanks David,

That's what I had read and heard, but I wanted to hear the riesling guru's opinion on this vintage. I don't think I have had any 2007s yet, I am still drinking 2004s and 2005s.

I do not find 07 german rieslings soft - at least not those from the MSR - and Selbach's 07s in particular seem quite strong.

I do not find 07 german rieslings soft - at least not those from the MSR - and Selbach's 07s in particular seem quite strong.

Nice to see you here Maureen! While I'm one of those who also found a lot of 07s a bit softer than I'd like at least around the Spatlese and Auslese levels (even Schaefer's Domprobst, which shocked me) - I thought Selbach's 07s (from what I've had so far) were generally stunning. The "Schmitt" Spatlese was just gorgeous - one of my favourite 07s. Although from the MSR - have you tried any of the AJ Adam wines from 07?

[David M. Bueker]

Hi Maureen - you seem to have found your way in.

I think if we compare 2007 to 1990, 1996, 1998 or even 2001 it is a bit soft, but compared to other recent vintages (e.g. 1999, 2003, 2005) it is certainly not.

The definition of a normal vintage has shifted over the last 10 years or so.

I do not find 07 german rieslings soft - at least not those from the MSR - and Selbach's 07s in particular seem quite strong.

Welcome Maureen,

Nice to have another riesling lover on the WLDG.

I do not find 07 german rieslings soft - at least not those from the MSR - and Selbach's 07s in particular seem quite strong.

Nice to see you here Maureen! While I'm one of those who also found a lot of 07s a bit softer than I'd like at least around the Spatlese and Auslese levels (even Schaefer's Domprobst, which shocked me) - I thought Selbach's 07s (from what I've had so far) were generally stunning. The "Schmitt" Spatlese was just gorgeous - one of my favourite 07s. Although from the MSR - have you tried any of the AJ Adam wines from 07?

I don't think I've ever tried any Adam wines - have to remedy that. I liked the Schmitt but frankly so prefer the *Schlossberg. Haven't had schaefer's spatlese yet but the kabinett drunk on Saturday night was very good. My favorite kabinett of the vintage thus far is the von schubert abtsberg.

and, David - I agree with your vintage summary. But after tasting the 05s young, I find the 07s "crisp"!

nothing compares to 1990 - sigh. Although I've some 01s lately that have shown very well. the Leitz rudesheimer berg schlossberg spatlese, e.g. - and fritz haag's bjs kabinett.

I don't think I've ever tried any Adam wines - have to remedy that. I liked the Schmitt but frankly so prefer the *Schlossberg. Haven't had schaefer's spatlese yet but the kabinett drunk on Saturday night was very good. My favorite kabinett of the vintage thus far is the von schubert abtsberg.

Adam's making some amazing stuff - I thought his 07 Spatlese was really stunning (was a small debate about it here), and I'm looking forward to trying his dry Hofberg once I get my hands on it in a few weeks time. I haven't tried the one-star Schlossberg yet - will look out for it though. Given how much I liked the regular Schlossberg and Schmitt I don't see myself being disappointed.

nothing compares to 1990 - sigh. Although I've some 01s lately that have shown very well. the Leitz rudesheimer berg schlossberg spatlese, e.g. - and fritz haag's bjs kabinett.

The 01 Leitz Schlossberg is killer - opened that a few months ago at a Riesling/Burg dinner, and it was absolutely electric (blew the doors off a Catoir and a Bouchard Montrachet... so not a bad showing ).

[David M. Bueker]

Maureen,

Yes I suppose that 2007 would seem crisp after 2005, but I drink so many 1998s & 2001s that 2007 comes across as softer than I would prefer.

I do not find 07 german rieslings soft - at least not those from the MSR - and Selbach's 07s in particular seem quite strong.

Welcome Maureen,

Nice to have another riesling lover on the WLDG.

Hi from me too, Maureen.

Greetings from Alberta!

I do not find 07 german rieslings soft - at least not those from the MSR - and Selbach's 07s in particular seem quite strong.

Welcome Maureen,

Nice to have another riesling lover on the WLDG.

Hi from me too, Maureen.

Greetings from Alberta!

and thanks to both of ya!

[Jenise]

and thanks to both of ya!

MAUREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!


Welcome back.

[David M. Bueker]

Maybe she'll even join us in chat again some time.