A stunning Pralat and a fun Goldtropfchen

As it is German wine half-week in New York City I would like to reflect on some German wines I have had recently before the barrage of blog posts about my lunch with Donnhoff, the Terry tasting and the Rudi tasting of 2006's.

From Terry's stable had the 2002 Hoffman-Simon Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese which was nice simple, stuffed, and tropical Goldtropfchen. It had a creamy mid-palate, loads of apple and even apricot fruits along a sleek frame with great acidity(2002!). The 2nd day it became more refined and well integrated and I admitted that I had previously underrated it from the day before. It was very nice albeit not in the same league as the Kesselstat's and Haart's of the world but nonetheless great middle of the week Riesling.

Now onto the 2004 F. Weins Prum Erdener Pralat Spatlese from Rudi's stable which was one of the greatest wines I have this year from my cellar. This was majestic. Like drinking Bonnes Mares for $25 from Roumier. Erdener Pralat is easily one of the best vineyards in the Mosel and I cannot think of an Erdener Pralat I prefer more than Dr. F. Weins Prum's. Always a site that gives opulent wines this is tempered by the wonderful 2004 acidity. The nose had brilliant clean and subtle botrytis notes along with spice, grapefruit and apricot. The minerality is there too and it becomes much slatier with air. The palate has great cut and above all a haunting texture. The concentration is out of this world and the finish just tapers off and there is fruit..mineral...fruit...mineral . . . . Just stunning. I am glad I have two more as this will be make great old bones.