2015 Riesling Konigsbach Olberg 1 Lage
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Tasting notes
As usual, this offers an intriguing nose that’s tough to describe without including the word “oil” – and I just realized that this time I did it twice! Machine-oil-like sweet-smoky pungency is allied with musky floral perfume and positively herbal, peppery notes that suggest superior Tuscan olive oil. The impression on a polished palate is correspondingly invigorating and multifaceted, leading to a refreshingly sustained finish transparent to a wealth of herbal and floral nuances and mingled with mouthwatering mineral salts. When this level of elegance and complexity is achieved (as it was also with Christmann’s 2015 Paradiesgarten), I am not convinced by my experience at the best Pfalz addresses that those sites VDP-designated as “Grosse Lagen” – whose wines are thus marketed as Grosse Gewächse – are clearly superior to some that have more recently been designated as “Erste Lagen.” (The VDP remains rather fixated on keeping up with Burgundy, or at least, the Burgundy of that organization’s collective imagination.)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Michael Schmidt
More reviews and scores
Fine fragrance of stone and citrus fruit complemented by a spirity note of lemon balm. The Ölberg is possibly the most generous of Christmann’s Erste Lagen, certainly when it comes to the texture, which is rich and velvety. There’s more fleshy yellow than crisp green fruit, the body beginning to develop some curves, the acidity admirably restrained. Approachable and generous. (MS)
The 2015 Königsbacher Ölberg Riesling Trocken offers a clear fruit aroma of ripe yellow apples along with some lemon, paprika and discreet stony/flinty flavors. Full-bodied, aromatic, round and compactly structured, this is a finely racy, elegant and nicely balanced Riesling. The wine has a clear and precise fruit expression, with vitalizing minerals. It's still a bit restrained, but has power, grip and character, as well as a long and mineral finish. Aug 2016, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2018 - 2026
Fine fragrance of stone and citrus fruit complemented by a spirity note of lemon balm. The Ölberg is possibly the most generous of Christmann’s Erste Lagen, certainly when it comes to the texture, which is rich and velvety. There’s more fleshy yellow than crisp green fruit, the body beginning to develop some curves, the acidity admirably restrained. Approachable and generous. Apr 2016, www.jancisrobinson.com, Drink: 2016-2021