Monday, April 14, 2008

Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese 2006

The first of many German rieslings I plan to consume over the summer. I know, it's premature, but I was hoping I could will in the weather while also beginning my treck through all things riesling. Essentially I've recently discovered how much depth and complexity riesling offers and realized that I knew very little about it. Thus began the journey into the Mosel region of Germany. Expect more riesling updates from Germany, Austria and Australia.

From what I can tell through my research, this wine is made with grapes from the southern facing Rosenberg vineyards in the Saar region of the Mosel valley, near the town of Oberemmel. Saar is in the southern portion of the Mosel River Valley and is renowned for its slate-gravel soil and its superb rieslings.

The nose promised baked peaches and toasted nuts, and yet had a bit of petrol - a result often found in German wines due to oxygen exposure during part of the winemaking process. Upon tasting the wine I found the sweetness perhaps a little overpowering, but the palate was quite pleasant with subtle minerals, hazlenuts, and a hint of citrus (maybe lime). A smooth and delightful wine that draws you into every sip. The low alcohol (9% abv - common for riesling) makes this easy to drink and mellow while giving the wine great potential to go with food. I had it with red snapper cooked lightly with herbs and olive oil. It was an excellent combination. A great start to the riesling treck, and one that prompts the superlative: I love riesling!

Very Good+
$38 at BCLDB

5 comments:

Joe said...

The 2005 is $26 here in Quebec. I travel to BC often, and the prices for many European wines are really bad. Not so much for other regions (I frequently pick up a bottle from the US or Australia).

Shea said...

Don't remind me! You can get good prices on certain bottles from certain producers, though. There is no logic to the duty markups, some being 100%, some 50%, some (very few) 30% over US prices.

Australian wine does seem to be priced better here. Not so sure about the US stuff, although I remember the LCBO really sucking for US wine - not sure about the SAQ.

It seems unreasonable to have such a crazy 'sin' tax in BC. People who legitimately are into wine and aren't sinning, over-drinking, or doing stupid things, end up paying HUGE amounts of tax out of their income just to support their hobby. Lame I say, lame.

Anonymous said...

Hi

Not sure how you came to a fruit-
source of the Rosenberg vineyard in the Saar, but clearly a QMP (qualitstswein mit pradikat) level Riesling labeled Zeltinger (from the town of Zeltingen in the Mosel) Schlossberg (from the vineyard of the same name) is a single vineyard Riesling from the Schlossberg vineyard in Zeltingen-Rachtig section of the Munzlay sub-region of the Middle Mosel.

The Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling
I tried from Selbach-Oster (2007),
was a fabulous example and worthy of adding to the rapidly dwindling list of exotic Rieslings here at
the Lake House Resort & Spa ;-)

Peace

Aaron
LH Assistant Sommelier

Shea said...

Thanks for the info! I used the Oxford Wine Atlas to try and pinpoint the source, but suppose I did not have the 'clear' knowledge of the location of Zeltingen ;).

I'm glad you guys added a great and reasonably priced riesling to the list!

Shea said...

Oh, I now recall something on the label mentioning the Rosenberg vineyard as well. Too bad I don't have the bottle with me - but I'm sure you are right nonetheless :).