Donnhoff's 2007 Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling trocken smells citric, flint-like, and smoky, with peach kernel, tart blackberry, and sheer stoniness lending it a somewhat austere palate impression, yet a finish of electric brightness and invigorating pungency. The Felsenberg has no subsoil or layers that will trap water, so it needs a rain during the summer, comments Donnhoff by way of explaining this site's success in 2007, otherwise the vines shut down for a period and later you taste that in the wine. This should be worth following for at least 5-6 years. Lest it be mistaken for its Grosses Gewachs counterpart - in a heavy, embossed bottle - this is A.P. #17. While Donnhoff returned to his usual humility in characterizing the latest vintage - following an atypically unabashed outbreak of enthusiasm in describing his indeed amazing collection of 2006s - it is clear that the 2007s delight him in a similar way, as outstanding representations of their respective sites at Spatlese ripeness. (Note, incidentally, that the Pradikat has been removed from any dry wines here, in keeping with a new convention of the Nahe branch of the VDP growers- association.) -Within that range of ripeness,- he submits, -one best-recognizes the site. Here you have nothing exaggerated, but instead a normal harvest, meaning a documentation of the vineyards, each a different face on the landscape. They all went to the same school and had the same opportunities- he adds, gesturing to the long row of Spatlesen on the tasting table, and alluding to his own role as well as the vintage-s. -It was a bit intimidating this year at harvest,- he added, -because when the grapes are perfect, you can only make mistakes.- I had the rare fortune to taste this collection twice, and like so many 2007s (a comment that even more growers made about their 2008s) the wines were much more impressive in September than in Spring. A 2007 Hermannshohle Trockenbeerenauslese, by the way, is still trying to become wine after two years.Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300
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