Wgt. Wollenweider Wolfer Goldgrube 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Riesling Spatlese

[TheEngineer]

Had a few people over for dinner so we went after two verticals (the other was a burgundy).

This was a nice treat. The 2001 which I've written about before, I was worried that it would be a bit closed and it was but still showing why it is a lovely wine. Lots of structure great balance, honey and peach on the nose and great crisp clean mouthfeel. Laser like focus with some slate at end. Nice medium finish but great persistence. $21.99 back then (I'd buy another case if I could find it).

The 2002 showed the worst, even though in isolation, it would have been great. More subdued nose and more hone, less fruit. Tasted flatter and much less focus. $26.99

The 2003 was showing the best. Still a bit of carbonation left! Wonderful peach, nectarine, honey and a floralness about it. Great mouthfeel and certainly was auslese level. The laser focus was almost back and a some slate again. Great value for $27.99.

The 2004 has such a wonderful nose, the entire dinner party stopped talking. Actually, this was the Portz version of the Spatlese. Still had some carbonation. Light straw in color like the rest but lightest in color of the bunch. Superlight floral and honey with some white peach. Light and breezy! Taste was per nose with some lemon rind. Not as focused and a bit flat compared with the 2003 and 2001 but much better than the 2002. $36.99 but still worth the money.

[wondersofwine]

The 2001 was my introduction to Wollenweider wines and I would love to acquire some 2003 or 2004.

[TheEngineer]

I cannot find any more 2003s in my area but the 2004's I got were on order direct from the distributor. They just arrived so I'm asuming that they will start to appear.

Jsut as a point of comparison. I much preferred the 03 to the 04. 04 was very fresh and had a llovely light nose. but lacked the stucture and the depth of 03 (also the 03 was sweeter so really it was an auslese).

[TheEngineer]

Popped another of the 2004's tonight and a bit of bottle time has brought some roundedness to this wine. The floral light nose is gone and the wine has settled down a bit. Good dose of acidity, reserved fruit and nice does of minerality. I may have opened the first one the moment it got of the boat. Notes are entirely different (this one was better structured)

[wondersofwine]

That laser focus of the 2001 was a big part of the appeal. It just seemed such a "pure" Riesling if that makes sense to you. Great site and great producer.