James Suckling (97)

If you dream of the great German rieslings of the 1970s and 1980s, then this is a wine for you, even though it is riper and more concentrated than those icons of the past. In spite of the abundant generosity, this has a very long, distinctly cool finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (97)

Wonderful white-peach, mandarin and orange-blossom nose that also has something dark and “earthy” behind all the charm. So much depth and energy that it makes your bones rattle! Staggering intensity at the vibrant, lemony finish. The grape sweetness is there, but way in the background. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (98)

What an expressive and exotic nose this remarkable Spatlese has, but that’s really the least of it. The giant energy and mineral freshness are like a whale rising from the depths and blowing water out if its spout. Then comes a cornucopia of fruit at the finish, the brilliance and finesse of which makes it really hard to describe. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (98)

What an expressive and exotic nose this remarkable Spatlese has, but that’s really the least of it. The giant energy and mineral freshness are like a whale rising from the depths and blowing water out if its spout. Then comes a cornucopia of fruit at the finish, the brilliance and finesse of which makes it really hard to describe. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (97)

A great Spatlese that has deep apricot and mandarin orange fruit with delicate mint and tarragon aromas. Staggering vitality and brilliance on the extremely focused and precise palate. Enormous wet stone character at the super-long finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

Vinous (94)

Decadent, musky, heady notes of lily and narcissus overshadow orange marmalade and pear preserves on the nose. The glossy, caressing midpalate is wafting in its delicacy and liquid florality, yet also lusciously fruity. Site-typical notes of sassafras, tarragon and black tea add unexpected cooling and smoky complexities to the luscious fruit and liquid perfume of a hauntingly sustained finish. This bottling – which eloquently reflects Schug’s attempt to preserve delicacy, lift and definition in wines from Prälat – fermented spontaneously in cask, whereas the “regular” Auslesen reflect some stainless steel and yeasting.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2019 Erdener Treppchen Riesling GG Alte Reben comes from two very old plots adjacent the Prälat (the upper part of the former original Treppchen and the lower Herzlay) that have never been replanted since long before World War I. It shows a clear, intense yet subtle and deep, highly complex but also refined bouquet of very fine red slate and herbal aromas as well as perfectly clear and elegant Riesling fruits. Silky textured, highly finessed and perfectly balanced on the palate, this is a very intense and juicy, enormously long and concentrated yet finessed and mouthwatering Treppchen with the crystalline grip of broken slate and the intensity and complexity of biblical vines in a great terroir. The 2019 Treppchen is arguably the finest dry wine I have ever tasted from Ernie Loosen. Highly recommended. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Wine Advocate (96+)

From volcanic soils, the 2019 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling GG Alte Reben is beautifully clear, fresh and subtle on the precise and highly finessed bouquet of slate, iodine and herbal scents. The warm and elegant Riesling fruit intertwined with very fine herbal notes represents the very best of this exceptional grand cru in its original, much smaller size. Almost entirely sourced from the Urglück, this is a lush and intense, enormously powerful yet restrained and slatey Würzgarten GG with crystalline acidity that leads to a long, intense and still slightly astringent finish with refreshing lemon features. This wine is still developing and has the potential to become another giant of the vintage. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Wine Advocate (96)

From vines planted in 1911 or earlier in the Laichen lieu-dit, Loosen's 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling GG Alte Reben is sylphlike, highly delicate and fine in its multilayered, fruity, floral and crunchy/flinty bouquet that reveals very fine slate aromas and even salty notes. Absolutely fabulous! Silky textured, lush and generous yet highly finessed, this is an intense yet subtle, pure and minerally fresh Riesling from one of the Mosel's finest vineyard. The finish is long, fresh, piquant and sustainably structured as well as salty. Irresistible. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Vinous (90)

Cheesy post-fermentative notes mingle with sweaty and musky scents to give the nose an intriguing cast, but one that many tasters will not find enticing. With that come overripe pear and faded lily perfume. The palate is glossy and lush though naturally alcoholically light, with inner-mouth perfume accentuating the decadent impression conveyed by the wine’s pear and quince fruit. The unabashedly sweet finish is impressive for sheer persistence, but lacks the freshness delivered by the corresponding Spätlese A.P. #3 or the salinity exhibited by the Spätlese A.P. #4. This reminds me of what I consider the more typical Thanisch Doctor Spätlesen and Auslesen of a decade or two ago: wines that gained definition and enhanced complexity with bottle age, but in their youth showed decadently overripe and surprisingly soft.

The Dr Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese 2019 is a masterpiece of refined viticulture. Sourced from the prestigious Berncasteler Doctor vineyard in Mosel, Germany, this splendid Riesling exhibits all the hallmarks of an exceptional Auslese. Produced by the venerable Dr Thanisch winery—an establishment with a proud tradition spanning 375 years—this remarkable wine embodies their dedication to precision, tradition, and quality.

The grapes handpicked for this particular vintage benefited from an extended growing period, leading to an impressive balance of sugar and acidity. The resultant wine thus possesses a delightful sweetness, underpinned by a delicate acerbity invoking flavours of ripe peach, crisp apple, and a dash of honey. Its floral undertone further enhances its graceful complexity.

Earning acclaim from global wine critics, the Dr Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese 2019 meritoriously upholds the reputation of German Rieslings, marking it a supreme choice for any discerning wine enthusiast.

The Dr Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling GG 2017 is an exceptional German Riesling, revered by connoisseurs world over. This masterpiece hails from the prestigious Berncasteler Doctor vineyard, nestled on the heart of the Mosel region. Laid out on precipitous slopes facing south, it enjoys an impeccable climate and unique mineral-rich blue slate soils that significantly contribute to the wine's signature profile.

Under the careful stewardship of the Thanisch family, the winery has preserved its high standard since 1636. The grape's late harvest ensures optimal maturity, undergoing gentle crushing, long-term maceration, and fermentation in traditional oak foudres, creating a profoundly aromatic and well-structured wine.

The Dr Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling GG 2017 reveals layers of white fruits, nuanced with elegant minerality and delicate floral undertones. Its vibrant acidity balanced by its subtle sweetness, producing a long-finishing, sensational palate experience. Truly, a revelatory embodiment of Riesling's calming elegance and vivacity.

Vinous (91)

The cooling mint and incisive nips of cress observed in some other Thanisch bottlings from this vintage are, rather surprisingly, also present in a Doctor wine, as is downright refreshing primary juiciness. That said, the opulently ripe fruit character – tending toward honeydew and Persian melons – as well as musky narcissus scents and textural richness on a glycerol-slicked palate are all typical Doctor. The sustained finish, modest in sweetness, perpetuates a combination of caress with stimulation and of richness with refreshment.