2014 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Riesling, Trocken, Nahe Germany.
Getting an early preview of the 2014 vintage was a thrill, especially good was the Kruger-Rumpf Estate Trocken, it is a beautiful wine with a great future and it’s a awesome value, be sure to look for it late this Spring/Summer on release. I tasted this wine twice from Georg Rumpf’s cask samples, and found it very consistent and well detailed even now, it comes from the Kruger-Rumpf vines in the Nahe where they have a variety of soils including some slate and quartzite, all of which add to the complexity and character. It was interesting talking to Terry Theise, the importer of Rumpf’s wines and Georg Rumpf himself about 2014 and the wines we are seeing from 2013, the 2013 wines have made huge strides in bottle and are almost eclipsing the more heralded 2012 wines at this stage, though both vintages will pay off big time in the cellar, while you’ll might find the 2014 wines a bit more shy, delicate and maybe lighter early, particularly the dry wines, don’t let that fool you, I think they just will, like the 2013, need time to unfold, even though you’ll need to look a bit harder for the best examples, hint, hint the Kruger-Rumpf is a solid investment. This Estate Trocken is a gorgeous Riesling expression, showing remarkable quality and refinement with electric shine, vibrancy and good dry extract. The nose is pure liquid mineral with hints of white flowers, mixed citrus fruits, and light brine leading to a vivid and tangy palate of lime, green apple, yellow peach, tropical notes, white melon and zesty apricot with lemon peel, salty stones, basil and verbena. This crisp and cool Riesling will drink nicely on release, Summer of 2015, and have a long window of pleasure, best from 2016 to 2022. Also, Kruger-Rumpf makes an awesome Scheurebe, look for the 2012 and 2013, and their Grosses Gewachs Pittersberg 2013 is turning into very special stuff, almost magical, be sure to look for it.
($17 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
