The Most Distinctive, Elegant Wine Sold by The Master of Terroir - Likely the Best Mid-$30s Dry Riesling in America

Andreas Laible is certainly one of the best dry winemakers in Germany.  He has a style that is unique

- the wines have fruit but they are really driven by perhaps the best balance of any wines in Germany along with stunning minerality and remarkable expression of terroir.  They are delicious and have broad appeal but are also fascinating to drink.  Klingenberger, in my opinion, is his magnum opus; it is simply a glorious experience to drink this wine.  

I'm lucky to be able to offer the 2013 Laible Klingenberger for as little as $33.99 on a four pack.  I only got a small allocation of the 2012 (after being told it was sold out) because the Laible's loved one of my E-Mails about them so much that they scrounged some up for me.  This wine outdoes 95% of German GG's that cost $50-$90. It's a startling value even at $50. It is so layered, structured and complex, and has such a huge backbone for aging. The distinct floral/lanolin quality is there. There just isn't another dry Riesling like this. It is perfection and in 10 years a 2012 vs 2013 tasting will be remarkable.

I should have enough to satisfy everyone.

Below is some background from last year's offer.

I got this wine only after the Laible's read my first e-mail and were very impressed and kindly gave me an allocation.

It's actually quite an interesting story as to how I got the 2012 Klingelberger, (which is the local name for Riesling in the Ortenau region of Baden).  I really wanted to offer this along with the 2 wines I did offer but they told me that 2012 was a small harvest and they couldn't sell me any.  After the first E-Mail, Andreas' wife wrote me and was so happy with how I described their wines in the E-Mail that she offered me a small quantity of their precious, highly allocated Klingelberger.

You know from the previous Laible E-Mail that I think that Laible is one of the most distinctive winemakers in Germany.  His ability to balance fruit and acidity and allow the minerality to shine through is almost unparalleled.  To me, the Klingelberger represents the apogee of Laible's unique wine-making style.  I understand why they only sell it to their best customers.

I am thrilled to offer the 2012 Laible "Klingelberger" for as low as $32.99 on the 6-pack. Normally this would go for between $45 and $50 a bottle.

I had the 2011 Laible "Klingelberger" side by side next to the 2011 Laible Plauerlain GG and I and another very experienced Riesling drinker were ridiculously impressed by the distinct character and outrageous complexity of the wine. The GG showed very well, don't get me wrong, but the 2011 Klingelberger somehow has more soul, if that can be said of a wine.

Laible places emphasis on preserving the aromas of the wine and the aromas of this wine when they were stable (they changed every 5 minutes) were always just stunning. From savory to floral to mineral this wine had it all. The palate has that classic, light yet complex, lithe, mineral and incredibly linear and focused character that Laible is famous for. This, for me, in 2011 was their flagship Riesling. I have not tasted the 2012 but they regard as one of their top two Rieslings and from what I have tasted of 2012, which is a vintage that has acidity like 2001 or 2004, and ripeness more in tune with 2001/2002 this should be a better wine than the 2011, which was one of the top 2-3 Rieslings I had all of last year.

You can read about the first Laible offer here. It is long gone and this will be the last Laible offer till I go back and visit them in August. I have very little of this wine and if you are getting this e-mail, then that means you are a supporter of Fass Selections German imports and this is a small thank you. I am creating a special 3 bottle pack for the lowest price. This will be allocated. No question about it. Please order up to 12 bottles, but expect to be cut back. I wish I had more, but many of the world's greatest wines are made in small quantities.

2013 Laible Klingelberger - $35.99 ($135.96 4-pack)