Lost In Germany (Slight Return)

Not long ago, we were visited by our regional rep for Robert Weil, an incredible winery from the Rheingau in Germany.  I’ve been a big fan of these wines for a long time, and it was good to see where they are now, now being represented by Loosen Bros. in the U.S.

I’ve been a fan of Robert Weil for some time.  So long I honestly can’t remember just how long it’s been.  I remember opening a 2004 Spatlese a few years back for a fairly simple meal, and while the meal was good, the wine elevated it to a place of comfort, of joy, of a slight refuge from the tumultuous world outside.  It was winter, it was stormy I believe, or maybe it was my mindset.  Nevertheless, that wine, and every Robert Weil Riesling since has been like daybreak on a beach ever since.

We went through seven offerings that day:

Robert Weil Riesling Brut 2014.   Some of you might expect something sweet here but you’d be summarily disappointed.  Dry as a bone here, with clean, vibrant acidity and a tart, green apple mousse.  You get citrus zest, mineral and a touch of mint.  It’s a very lovely sparkling wine.  

Robert Weil Riesling Trocken 2015.  Bright, lively notes of tropical fruit with a touch of briny minerals, this is racy and steely – the acid is front and center – keeping the fruit and mineral components laser-focused.

Robert Weil Keidricher Riesling Trocken 2015.  A lot of salinity going on in this crisp, dry Riesling, showing hints of juniper, pear and a touch of chayote.  It bites with a sharp acidity that could pass for surgical steel across the tongue.  Savory and delicious!

Robert Weil Keidricher Turmberg Riesling Trocken 2015.  Bright, exuberant acidity mixes it up with herbaceous and green orchard fruit characteristics.  There is a touch of floral dispersed among the nuances of a Salty Dog cocktail.  

Robert Weil Riesling Tradition 2013.  A touch of sweetness in this QbA Riesling gives you Golden Delicious apples, a touch of honey mingling with slight herbaceous undertones and a hint of mint and sea spray.

Robert Weil Riesling Kabinett 2015.  Key lime and poached pear notes with touches of brine and sea mist mix it up in this sharp, multilayered white.

Robert Weil Riesling Spatlese Tradition 2013.  A major floral component feels like eating a fresh fruit salad in a flower shop, with touches of melon, lime and white peaches exploding through the slightly-honeyed, stone-fruited display across the palate.

German wine is one of those misunderstood categories when it comes to customers.  I find myself trying to explain it to customers almost daily, but in more of an evangelical disposition than anything condescending (or at least that is my hope how it comes across).  I love Riesling.  And I wish more folks could see the light as I have.  I guess I can thank the German wine guru himself, David Schildknecht for that one.  And Jeff Hickenlooper for showing me how aged German wine can age, and Bob Bowditch for turning me onto Robert Weil in the first place.