Wednesday, May 07, 2008

WBW #45: 2006 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett

Tim at Winecast is the host of Wine Blogging Wednesday #45, and chose an interesting theme - Old World Riesling. The timing was perfect as I just polished off some very satisfying Donnhoff Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder and the SAQ had a release of Donnhoff's Rieslings.

Pale gold in the glass, the 2006 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett was very aromatic: classic petrol with honey and waxy notes, oranges, macadamia nuts and some grassiness. Off dry, minerally and faintly effervescent on the palate, luxuriously textured orange peel flavours, with great persistency and no rough edges. I'm going to hold a few bottles back and see how they evolve. Paired very well with a mild chicken tikka masala.
cork. 8.5% alcohol
Score: 17/20
Price: C$26.35 (SAQ)

Thanks to Tim and all of the WBW crew. I also owe a special thanks to Lyle for his assistance, as frantic blackberry-to-blackberry email exchanges resulted in some nice bottles of German riesling finding their way into my cellar - cheers Lyle!

8 comments:

Tim Elliott | Winecast said...

Thanks for join us again Joe. I'll have to look for this wine as it sounds like a winner.

Cheers,
--
Tim Elliott
Winecast

Barry said...

Hi Joe...I tried a Riesling from the other top grower from the Nahe..Emrich-Schönleber..a prize winner for 2006...also very good indeed...not sure if you can get it in Canada tho..
I have another bottle....just knock three times when you get here..and I'll pull the cork..

Joe said...

Hi Tim. My pleasure - I am 3 for 3 with this estate, sounds like a name to look for.

Hi Barry, I was hoping I'd flush you out with a find German riesling. We have one bottling of Emrich- an Auslese at $125 for 500mL - that's some serious dough - it may be cheaper for me to fly to Germany!

David McDuff said...

Good stuff, Joe. I really do need to drink more Dönnhoff. Of course, an unlimited budget would help.

I'll second Barry's recommendation of Emrich-Schönleber. I included one of their wines in my line-up for WBW. Even though it wasn't showing terribly well on the day, they have a long track record of producing top-notch juice.

Lyle Fass said...

Joe,

Spreading the seed of Riesling is one of my jobs on this planet.

Joe said...

Hi David - unlimited budget? I thought you industry types got all the freebies! Have to bite the bullet and get my hands on some Emrich-Schönleber now...

Hi Lyle, worked on me - lovin' the German rieslings. I am amazed at the quality at all price points - some more interesting than others, but I have not yet had a bad German wine (recent history). There is a dedication to quality and balance that permeates the wines. Keep sowing the seed...

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had as much fun with your German Riesling as I did on this Wine Blogging Wednesday!

Joe said...

Hi Dale - I see you had a wine from Nahe as well, although you went Auslese. Love your site - cheers!