Arguably the Greatest Kabinett Lineup in Germany - Kai Schatzel Has Vaunted to Unicorn Status Faster Than Any Winemaker I've Represented

Kai Schatzel Now Has 3 Auction Only Wines
 - His Prices Are Going to Be Among the Highest in Germany

The Newborn Kabinett Religeon
 - Kai's Kabinetts Are So Popular the Top 2 Are Auction Only
 - He's Famous for them; 50% of His Production Is Kabinett
 - Possibly the Greatest Llineup of Kabinetts in Germany

2017 Schätzel Nierstein Kabinett
 - The Platonic Ideal of Fruity Kabinett
 - Citrus But Balanced with Great Acidity and Minerality 

2016 Schätzel Niersteiner Hipping Kabinett
 - One of the the Most Serious Kabinett I Have Ever Tasted 
 - Only 150 Cases Made
 - Mind Blowing Nose
 - Sick Concentration with Intense Minerality

"Kabinett is a religion here and is the traditional wine of the region. Nierstein Kabinett is the classic wine of the region over the dry Rieslings."- Kai Schätzel

Before I get into the email there is some news about Schätzel. The Pettenthal Grosses Gewachs is an

auction only wine now, which along with the Pettenthal Kabinett "S" and the  Pettenthal Kabinett "N" means we have 3 wines now at Schätzel that go directly to auction. Schätzel is getting to be very unicorny. I already have made all my reservations for the next batch which starts as usual with what sells out first.

That is the classic Kabinett style and is his 1er Cru Kabinett and his top Grand Cru Pettenthal Kabinett only goes to auction. Kabinett is as popular today in Germany as Sauvignon Blanc was and still is. Now I think it is more popular than ever. This is the craze in Germany amongst wine drinkers and winemakers and it seems to be sticking. Bringing Kabinett back is a great thing and Kai's is really at the top of the heap. I think Kai is making one of the best lineups of Kabinetten in Germany. His Kabinetts are thrilling wines. Wines that are so good that a bottle can easily be consumed in under an hour between two people. But just because they are stunningly delicious and being knocked back by the glass and bottle in most of Germany, does not mean these wines are not worthy of contemplation.   These wines have minerals for days and will last 15+ years but they will never last that long.

The 2017 Schätzel Nierstein Kabinett is an insane wine and for me the platonic ideal of fruity sweet styled Kabinett. At 7-8% alcohol, it has the lightness of a feather; yet it is so intensely flavored and ridiculously refreshing. It's one of those bottles you just keep saying oh my god this so good while you almost chug it. It is easily my favorite Kabinett in the world. Kai Schätzel makes better Kabinett than arguably anyone in Germany and 50% of his production is Kabinett. Kai takes it as seriously as anybody I've ever met in Germany. These are divine Kabinetts and they have their own ranking within the Schätzel hierarchy. I've got a 1er Cru and a Grand Cru Kabinett today.   This wine is old school, pre global warming snap crackle and pop Kabinett that is deep, so elegant and just so fine and refined. Huge aromas. Mineral, expansive, some pithy citrus fruits, even more mineral and so much wet stones. Super wow aromas and then the palate hits you with super juicy fruit with an intensity and such force yet it is so delicate and nimble. Juicy. Long. Incredible palate presence. Pure, naked, drinkable. More medium sweet than sweet. Acidity is turned up to 11. Finish is long and dissipates like you won't believe. This is as good as it gets. It is so so beautiful and I will be getting a case. This sells out in Germany within a month so this was just released and is super limited. Below is a nice quote from Stephane Rheinhardt. He also gave the 2015 a 92. Stuart Piggot gave the 2016 a 91 and even the stingy Schlidneckt gave it a 90. The 2017 will be better as this is a 2001 like vintage in the Rheinhessen.

 ". . .it is one of the finest you can find along the Rhine between Basel and Bacharach. It doesn't have to fear the best Kabinetts from Mosel or Nahe."

Up next I have one of the the most serious Kabinett I have ever tasted in my life. This is as Grand Cru as it gets and is one of the best German Rieslings I've ever had. It's so perfect. I love that Kai makes Grand Cru Kabinett. Today I have the honor of offering one of the most thrilling wines we have ever offered and to be honest I'm sure future vintages will go to auction, the 2016 Schätzel Niersteiner Hipping Kabinett. This is life affirming wine that truly makes you think you are drinking Grand Cru Kabinett. Kai only makes 1,800 bottles of this elixir and that is 4 times more of what he makes of the Pettenthal Kabinett which only goes to auction. This is so good. The nose is more detailed, mineral and evocative than the previous wine. It is so delicate, playful, confectionery and intensely mineral. There is lime zest, all types of barely there citrus and smoke that hints at a fine Japanese or Chinese tea. Just a mind blowing nose.  Truly you so don't to miss this wine. The palate is even more insane. Just sick, sick concentration and power with loads of intense minerals and stunning purity. It's only 7.5% alcohol and harvested at a low must weight and the acidity is dialed up to 11. Because the acid is so high and there is so much palpable minerality, this does not come off as sweet. It's so long and so deep and truly a wine of contemplation. Perfect balance. Every sip is zen. This wine is insane. Insane. Genius of the highest degree. I sell nothing like this and there is nothing like this in Germany. You need this wine. It will age effortlessly for 25 years. Drink one young and keep pulling one every 5 years. Below is Stuart Piggot's 93 point score.


"What a bouquet! It reminds me most of fine oolong tea. The mandarin orange and nectarine notes are delicate rather than loud. Wonderful balance of diamond-bright acidity and the merest hint of sweetness, with great mineral freshness at the finish." 93 Points Stuart Piggot