Update: Hello everyone. Just wanted to let you know that even though I haven’t posted anything new recently, I’ll be back next week with some great discoveries. Hope all is well. Catch you then. – Tyler (3/30/12)
Sip of the Day: Weingut Geil 2009 Rheinhessen Huxelrebe Spätlese
Last month I covered a Pinot Noir and two Scheurebes from Germany, and today my quest to explore the often uncharted world of German wine beyond Riesling continues.
Huxelrebe, our Sip of the Day, is an oddity that is just as intriguing as it is rare. The grape is a cross between a member of the Muscat family and a lesser known, cool climate grape called Gutedel (also known as Chasselas in France and Fendant in Switzerland). The result is a wine with drinking characteristics similar to Riesling, but with a fuller body and a more pronounced floral quality.
The one that we will be talking about today is estate produced and bottled (the meaning of the German identifier “Gutsabfüllung” found on the label). The grapes were harvested at the Spätlese level of the Prädikat ripeness measuring system (literally meaning “late harvest”), ensuring full ripeness and development of flavors. It was finished off-dry (as is common with this varietal), leaving some residual sugar in the final wine, giving it a pleasant sweetness.
Almost reminiscent of Sauternes, the nose of this wine is an enticing blend of clover honey, candied lemon and apricot with a stony undertone and hints of honeysuckle.
Sweet and honey toned with a lively undertone of acidity, this is a sunny wine with lots of dried apricot, honeysuckle, and stone flavors. Easy to enjoy and unique, this is a great pour to match with salads, fruit and custard desserts, or just as an after dinner treat.
Worth Buying. 91 points.
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