Grapefruit, pineapple, and litchi inform the nose of Kesselstatt’s 2007 Josephshofer Riesling Kabinett, which proceeds, on the palate, along its effusively fruity, slightly exotic path. It displays disarming delicacy, resulting in an almost spring water-like sense of disappearing alcohol, refreshment, and clarity. Licorice and alkaline mineral notes inform a finish with well-judged sweetness and satisfying length, if without the finesse or complex nuances of the corresponding feinherb rendition of this site. No doubt this will be rewarding for at least 15 years. A protracted harvest is almost bound to be especially beneficial for an estate with such enormous and widely-scattered vine acreage as that of von Kesselstatt. The acidity in this year’s collection is almost uniformly ripe, and often noticeably low. As usual, a certain austerity accrues to a fair share of Kesslestatt’s many trocken Rieslings (wines from whose labels the last vestiges of Pradikat designations have now disappeared), but happily, alcoholic heat was scarcely a problem here this year. Interestingly, the Saar wines among these were generally especially successful regardless of style. Annegret Reh’s plan in the Kabinett segment, incidentally, is to eventually eliminate the redundancy of having both feinherb (successors to former halbtrocken) and unabashedly sweet bottlings from a single site, but instead work in the direction of merely discreet – i.e. feinherb – sweetness for most of the estate’s Kabinetts. In a sweet style, the Kesselstatt Kabinetts have consistently represented excellent values with ready market-availability, whereas few of the drier Kabinetts (and virtually none of the estate’s trocken Rieslings) seem to make it to the U.S.Various importers including: P. J. Valckenberg International, Tulsa, OK; tel (918) 622-0424.

Intriguing aromas of violet and peony lead to a strong mineral note in this lime- and apple-tinged white, which is light and persistent, with a long finish. Drink now through 2020. 750 cases made.??–BS??Region: Germany / Mosel Select to Add

Starts off with apple and pineapple aromas, but quickly develops intensely mineral flavors to go alongside. Likewise, it seems round—almost fat—in the mouth at first, then finishes with refreshing acidity, a mouthwatering mix of sweet and tart.——J.C.(3/1/2009)—— 89