St Urbans-Hof Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett 2007
The village of Piesport was already an important harbour for trade in the Roman era and the reputation of the Goldtröpfchen, chronicled millennia past in the Roman poet Ausonius’ poem ‘Mosella’, continues today as St. Urbans-Hof’s most famous vineyard site–the shining star of the Weis firmament. ‘Goldtröpfchen’ translates from German into ‘little golden drops’, a fitting name for such legendary wines.
Our Piesporter Goldtröpfchen property is of ancient, unreconstructed origin located close to the slate Mosel Loreley cliffs. These parcels are located in a poorly accessible section of the vineyard which has forced, unlike most of this famous vineyard, an inability to have its orientation altered by modern methods. Only a narrow path allows access.
Its ungrafted vines are of unknown age but we are sure they’re at least 80 years old. The highly decomposed slate soil has a high water retentive capacity and the large slate cliffs absorb the heat of the sun only to release it in the dark of night like a thermal battery."
And there you have it! Remarkable. All this can be yours for under $40 but first I’m putting away a few for my son (a 2007er)..I’ll drink a couple while he’s not looking and save the rest for his 18th and 21st (and drink them while he’s not looking). Importer : Mondo Imports
Some sulphur, but not much, then juicy golden apple, citrus and some tropical fruits. It combines explosive sweet fruit with dry minerality and the acidity is perfectly pitched. Balance and length with a dry mouthwatering finish. What a top wine - I could drink gallons of it. Drink : 2008 - 2027+ 95 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Throughout the centuries the steep slopes across the river from the town of Piesport have enjoyed a reputation as being among the best in the Mosel region. The finest site of the village is called the "Piesporter Goldtröpfchen" (little drops of Piesport gold), where heavy slate soils predominate. St. Urbans-Hof’s parcel is located in one of the oldest parts of the "Goldtröpfchen" vineyard. It is known as the "Mosel Loreley", as its steep, rocky face descends directly into the river, allowing no passage along the river bank. This parcel is horseshoe-shaped and basks in warm, direct sunlight. In addition it benefits from the reflection of sunlight from the river below. By virtue of this double warming effect, the dark slate soil absorbs a tremendous amount of solar energy during the day, which is then gradually released to the vines throughout the night. The wines are distinguished by their blackcurrant fruit character, smoky and herbaceous aromas, as well as an ever-present minerality, resultant from the loamy slate soils of the site.
Quality driven producer with 35 hectares of vineyard in the Mosel and Saar valleys. Riesling is the only variety grown by St Urbans-Hof. Organic fertilizers are used. Yields are low and all fruit is hand picked. St Urbans-Hof was named Mosel producer of the year in 2003.
St. Urbans-Hof maintains the traditional methods of wine growing and winemaking which have been used in the Saar and Mosel River Valleys over the past 2000 years, having been initially introduced by the Romans who first recognized in the microclimate of the region the potential for producing classic grape varieties and fine wines. Riesling is the only grape variety grown and the terroir of the site is emphasized by intense cultivation of the slate soil and traditional single post trellising system, unique for the Mosel. Low crop, intensive soil work, leaf thinning, accurate trellising, late harvesting and hand picking are elementary steps to take to ensure that the wine reflects the original character of the land on which it is grown. All St. Urbans-Hof wines are fermented, the wine matures for about four months in traditional 1000 liter "Fuder" barrels to give them their perfect harmony.
St. Urbans-Hof’s 5 ha are situated in the middle of the vineyard. This is the best part of the "Ockfener Bockstein" and the wines are very mineral in character with a slightly spicy note. Particularly wines with natural residual sugar are distinguished by their excellent fruit. The Estate St. Urbans-Hof, founded in 1947 by Nicolaus Weis the grandfather of the current manager Nik Weis is one of the biggest and most important private owned wine estates in the Mosel region. Nicolaus received the prestigious title "Oekonomierat" (Chancellor of Agriculture) in 1969 after 20 years of dedication to the wine traditions of the country. Due to his great achievements his name and title have become part of the winery name. Hermann, Nik´s father, carried on the traditions established by Nicolaus increasing the winery’s acreage further. He married his wife and Nik´s mother Ida which origins from the Saar Region. Together they bought top vineyard sites in the Mosel as well as in the Saar valley to its current 35 hectares (87 acres) under cultivation.
Today Nikolaus (Nik) manages the winery in the third generation of his family and signs responsible for operations and sales of this second largest privately owned family winery in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer area. Nik grew up in the winery and has been involved in all aspects of St. Urbans-Hof from breeding vines at the nursery operated by the winery, to cultivating vineyards and making wine. After obtaining a degree in viticulture and enology at Geisenheim, one of the world’s leading schools for winemakers in Germany, Nik broadened his experience by working and studying in the Champagne region of France, California, Canada’s Niagara Peninsula and the Nahe region in Germany. As president of the Young Winemakers Association of Leiwen, Nik has been in the forefront of the movement by a new winemaking generation to preserve the traditions of German winemaking and restore German Estate wines to prominence and has established St. Urbans-Hof as a clear leader in innovation and quality.
St. Urbans-Hof maintains the traditional methods of wine growing and winemaking which have been used in the Saar and Mosel River Valleys over the past 2000 years, having been initially introduced by the Romans who first recognized in the microclimate of the region the potential for producing classic grape varieties and fine wines. Riesling is the only grape variety grown and the terroir of the site is emphasized by intense cultivation of the slate soil and traditional single post trellising system, unique for the Mosel. Low crop, intensive soil work, leaf thinning, accurate trellising, late harvesting and hand picking are elementary steps to take to ensure that the wine reflects the original character of the land on which it is grown. All St. Urbans-Hof wines are fermented, the wine matures for about four months in traditional 1000 liter "Fuder" barrels to give them their perfect harmony.
Anyone keen to buy into the 2007 vintage but less than enthusiastic about bordeaux should think seriously about Germany’s exceptional 2007 vintage. Europe’s weird weather pattern last summer may have made life difficult for vintners growing red wine grapes on the Atlantic coast but played nicely into the hands of those growing Riesling on the banks of the Mosel and Rhine. The 2007s are – glory be - wines to enjoy drinking rather than wines to notch up ripeness and auction records. Jancis Robinson
