A Stunning Value Dry Mosel Riesling and as Well As One from One of My Favorite Vineyards in Germany

As 2015 winds down, well it is actually over, and 2016 dawns upon us, it is time to start to offer the last of the 2014 Rieslings from Germany. I am absolutely thrilled to offer the 2014's of an old stalwart here at Fass Selections, the wonderfully transparent, crystal clear, dazzlingly pure, ridiculously easy to drink and all star value wines of Caspari-Kappel. It seems like yesterday the King of the Mosel, Gernot Kollmann, had Nico and Uwe over to his estate before Fass Selections opened and tasted me on the 11's! I was impressed with the 11's but also realized that Nico and Uwe had great great potential. I was right. They improved dramatically from 11 to 12 and again dramatically from 13 to 14. I have very few estates that have taken such huge qualitative leaps from one vintage to another. 2014 is in fact the best vintage I have ever tasted from Caspari-Kappel. By the way, the 12's are in a great place nor. Drink them if you got them!

Up first is a list favorite and one of the best white wine values I sell. I have not sold this since the 11 vintage. The 2014 Caspari Urschiefer Riesling Trocken which can be had for as little as $17.99 a bottle on the 4-pack, just slayed me in 2014. The character of the vintage in the Mosel, when done correctly is one of juicy, terroir expressive, engaging wines that will drink exceptionally well young, yet also have the ability to age medium term. The wine is incredibly complex for a wine of such humble origins. From 100% slate soils in and surrounding Enkirch the wine is just the most complex young Urschiefer I have had yet. Also with some beautiful sponti funk as there is no cultured yeast at Caspari, only spontaneous. It has a heavenly texture, along with crunchy stark minerals and juicy lime/green apple fruit on a structure that keeps your mouth watering after each sip. As usual with this bottling it is ridiculously easy to drink. If one wants a case there will be a special case price of $16.99 a bottle. I only offer case prices on wines I think that are exceptional values and this is one of them. This usually sells $27-$30 through the 3-tier system. So almost half off if you buy from me.

Next up I have the 4th vintage I've offered of one of my favorite single vineyard Caspari wines, the 2014 Ellegrub Spatlese Trocken "Von Alte Reben" for as little as $26.99 on a 4-pack. I have said it once, I have said it twice and I will say it screaming from the rooftops, the Ellegrub is the single greatest and more importantly, underrated vineyards in all of the Mosel, if not Germany. I hold it in the same regard as Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Domprobst, Huhnerberg, Juffer-Sonnenuhr and a few more. But because it is in Enkirch it does not get the attention it so readily deserves. But each producer that makes Ellegrub has their own particular spin on it and Caspari's is downright complex as it is drinkable. The purity and freshness, the cooling blue fruit character and the absolutely dazzling purity and simple expressiveness make this wine to special. It has a light, yet enhanced texture that makes you double take, along with vivid Apple skin, peach and lime zest fruit that perfectly integrates with Ellegrub's amazing and detailed minerality. And boy does this have minerals to burn but because of the juicy character of 2014, the mineral character is to die for. There is an elegance to this wine that also belies its price point. It is top class finesse but there is also great sap and concentration on the thunderously juicy finish. There is a ridiculous amount of dry extract in this wine which tells me it will age 15-20 years. What a wine and the best rendition yet. Add to your vertical!

2014 Caspari Kappel Urschiefer Riesling Trocken - $19.99 

($71.96 4-pack, $203.88 12 bottle case)

2014 Caspari Kappel Ellegrub Spatlese Trocken "von Alte Reben" - $28.99 ($107.96 4-pack)