TN: 2002 BattenfeldSpanier Riesling "S"

May 28, 2007 4 Replies
M

A gift to us from our babysitter, given to her by her brother in Germany. Opened last night with mesquite-smoked chicken and the first corn-on-the-cob of the season.


2002 BattenfeldSpanier Riesling "S" QbA color: golden yellow nose: initially petrol and lime, giving way later to white peach palate: crisp and fresh, good acidity, light body, an appealing combination of lime and white peach

A surprisingly good combination with the food, the initial petrol notes faded noticeably after opening (or was it that the fruit just came more into the fore?). Jean, still learning to like Riesling, liked this bottle very much. Not bad for a QbA from the Rheinhesse (I know nothing of this producer beyond its name, and that it also makes Sekt; it may be a coop) from a less-than-heralded year.



Mark Lipton


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C

I have not had this wine, but I found some information on a German site at

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. They are now selling the 2004 S Riesling. If you go to it, they give a few tasting notes and details. They think it will keep well to 2014+ . Although a Qba, this is not a cheap low end wine wine and sells for 11.5 euro. In their tasting note, they also mention peach. The company also makes wine from a few French type grapes such as Chardonnay and even Pinot Noir.

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M

Yes, shortly after posting that note I also found that same website. From my 25-year-old schoolboy German, I learned that this is an operation started by two Young Turks in the Rheinhesse, who are practicing "EcoVin," which sounds like some sort of organic viticulture. These days, I wouldn't call €11.5 particularly expensive for a QbA these days, but it certainly is no bargain basement wine either.

Mark Lipton

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A

Hi Mark, I don't know this winery (Battenfeld-Spanier, it is) myself, but it does have a very good reputation and this particular wine received 84pts at the wein-plus (very good, by their strict standards). They stated "drink till

2005", however :-) 2002 was certainly not a bad year but different from 2001 and 2003, of course. regards Anders
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M

Thanks for the information, Anders. FWIW, this bottle was given to us by our (German) babysitter, whose brother gave it to her (and she doesn't drink wine). We're always on the lookout for good QbA Rieslings, as they seem to be very good QPR choices here in the US. Currently, the '05 St. Urbans Hof QbA is about top of the heap.

Mark Lipton

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