L & M had planned a executed a perfect tasting dinner with great food and these stunning Rieslings.
Despite 13 years between the youngest and oldest, all wines, regardless of age, but more so in the younger versions, displayed a crystalline purity, a freshness and raciness that is hard to pin down and describe. They were pure like a mountain river on a cold spring day.
My favourites age wise was the 2009-2011 vintages. They are still young and fresh but have taken baby steps towards a fine maturity.
Below I note the individual characters of the vintages.
2007 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
Deep, evolved and with more dried than fresh fruit. A tad warm in the finish but with a fine maturity.
90p (tasted 2023/04)
2008 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
The 08 shows of a very deep, beautiful nose with apricots, bay leaves and iron. The taste is long and balanced with a beginning maturity. Very fine.
93p (tasted 2023/04)
2009 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A high, energetic nose with notes of ripe flowers, mosquito repellent and lemon candy. The taste is rich and concentrated with a brilliant acidity and gorgeous violet notes. Loooong.
95p (tasted 2023/04)
2010 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A bootomless deep, hauntingly beautiful nose with notes of wet asphalt, matchbox, summer grass and passionfruit. On the palate this is 5-10 years away from perfection - grip, concentration and a finish that goes on forever.
97p (tasted 2023/04)
2011 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A gorgeous nose with skin cream, sun warm rocks and lemon candy. On the palate it all about focus and elegance. Lovely. 6+ years.
95p (tasted 2023/04)
2012 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
The 12 is a restrained creature with shy notes of wet asphalt, tangerines and grass. A tight, grapefruit dominated taste with lots of locked up fruit. Needs plenty of time.
93p (tasted 2023/04)
2013 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A high, cool nose with notes of ripening strawberries, grape and spices. The taste is cool and tight with a very fine focus and purity. 6+ years.
93p (tasted 2023/04)
2014 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
Oooh boy, the nose is a dream with notes of nutmeg, sweet minerals, dried flowers and incense. On the palate there are layers upon layers of rich lemon fruit, lemon licorice and a acidity that is of the charts. Awesome. 6+ years.
97p (tasted 2023/04)
2015 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A deep, mineral laden nose with notes of chives, dry licorice and sweet minerals. The taste is handsome, balanced and rich. A stunning wine that needs 7+ years.
96p (tasted 2023/04)
2016 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A racy, refined nose with notes of birch leafs, wet cement and grass. A young, tight taste with sour/sweet lemons and racy minerals. 9+ years.
93p (tasted 2023/04)
2017 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A cool, stony nose with notes of grapefruit, white peppar and chrushed rocks. The taste is high and elegant with locked up yellow fruit and a very fine acidity for the future. 10+ years.
92p (tasted 2023/04)
2018 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
A deep, grassy nose with notes of lemon cream, dry licorice, herbs and violets. The taste is fresh and racy with a fine intensity and a beautiful ripe lemon fragrance. 8+ years.
94p (tasted 2023/04)
2019 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
Ooh so young, ooh so much embryonic power, ooh so much to look forward to in 10-15 years. Heaps of blood oranges, smoke, detergent and white flowers. Just stunning.
97p (tasted 2023/04)
2020 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle
Very laid back on the nose with timid notes of grapefruit, grass and cold vanilla ice cream. The taste is tight and focused but very restrained. This will need plenty of time, 10+ years.
94p (tasted 2023/04)
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