International

GG part 2 - 2009 Spätburgunder & 2010 southern Rieslings
(Michael Schmidt)

2010 AULERDE Riesling Großes Gewächs
Young German Riesling is never petrolly, but can have a kind of concentrated fumé expression generally more associated with minerally wines from the Loire. The Aulerde has this fumy scent, but with the added attraction of some waxy honeycomb. Minerality lies firmly at the core of this performance, taking its strength not from a straightforward delivery but many different and delightful facets perfectly balanced to create a true reflection of terroir. The fruit may not be as powerful as in less challenging vintages, but plays a perfectly pitched supporting role. Despite some well-toned muscle and a solemn expression WITTMANN, Rheinhessen, the movement is totally graceful, the Rudolf Nurejew of Grosse Gewächse.
18/20 Drink 2012-22

2010 KIRCHSPIEL Riesling Großes Gewächs
Abundance of fruit is the hallmark of Philipp Wittmann’s Kirchspiel and the 2010 does not disappoint. Very ripe and tropical aromas of grapefruit, mandarin and orange find a full-bodied expression and delight the mouth-feel with a broad and creamy texture. It’s so rich that an oversensitive wine critic on a fault-finding mission may just bemoan a certain lack of assertiveness on the part of the acidity. This reservation will have to be treated with contempt by those who feel that minerality can overrun into austerity and prefer opulence of fruit to the proverbial grit between the teeth.
18/20 Drink 2012-20

2010 BRUNNENHÄUSCHEN RIesling Großes Gewächs
As to be expected, the 2010 Brunnenhäuschen is different from its predecessors. Still generous, but not quite as abundant with fruit, it expresses the more serious side of its character, giving more room to aromatically herbaceous and herbal notes. Quite restrained compared to the openness of 2009, it does not rely as much on its charm to impress, but rather on an assured, yet reserved elegance. A firm grip of minerality befits this new image, but light nuances of grapefruit and orange may be allowed a little more expression in time. Rare nobility!
18.5/20 Drink 2012-23

2010 MORSTEIN Riesling Großes Gewächs
Lightly exotic fruit on the nose is supported by a rich buttery note with just a dash of caramel. Peach and grapefruit stand out among the many fruit nuances and find the perfect balance between tropical and local fruit expression. The precocious acidity of 2010 has been charmed into its best behaviour, lively, juicy, but never disruptive. A deft herbal touch combines with a generous measure of salty minerality to make the Morstein an example of extraordinary complexity. But this wine is as much about feel as it is about taste: subtle texture, tremendous substance, great concentration and endless finish stretch the limits of sensory perception to an intellectual level.
19/20 Drink 2012-23

Germany 2010 - Rheinhessen village wines
(Michael Schmidt)

2010 WESTHOFENER Silvaner
Gentle aromas of melon and pear are accompanied by a slightly herbaceous touch. Quite broad on the palate, there are enough tactile elements to provide an edge. The fruit and zesty peel of Seville oranges lend a delicate sweet and bitter appeal that supplies a perfect foil for the ample body.
16/20 Drink 2011-13

2010 WESTHOFENER Riesling
The nose exhibits an intriguing fragrance of fruit, minerality and herbaceous aromas. Peach and yellow fruit in abundance are given a clear mineral direction. The almost overwhelming substance of flavours is reined in by well-measured acidity. The finish is long and lifted by a most delicate fumy notion.
17.5/20 Drink 2011-15

2009 WESTHOFENER Spätburgunder
A relative beginner in the Spätburgunder stakes Philipp Wittmann is already way beyond the experimental stage with this one. Juicy cherry fruit is wrapped in a firm corset of tannins without suffering an excess of oaky flavours. The substance of fruit, tactile astringency and length of an almost chewy finish not only indicate potential but also promise longevity.
17/20 Drink 2012-19

(David Schildknecht)

2009 Wittmann Silvaner, Rating: 89
2009 Wittmann Westhofener Silvaner trocken, Rating: 90
2009 Wittmann Westhofener Aulerde Riesling Großes Gewächs, Rating: 91
2009 Wittmann Westhofener Brunnenhäuschen Riesling Gewächs, Rating: 92
2009 Wittmann Westhofener Morstein Riesling Großes Gewächs, Rating: 92
2009 Wittmann Riesling Alte Reben "La Borne", Rating: 93
2009 Wittmann Westhofener Morstein Riesling Auslese, Rating: 92

(Bruce Sanderson)

2009 WESTHOFENER Riesling
A sleek, racy dry Riesling, loaded with grapefruit, apple and white peach flavors, all underscored by mineral. Firm and delineated, with a snappy acidity as the flavors linger on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
92 Points

Große Gewächse 2009 whites and 2008 red
(Michael Schmidt)

"Weingut Wittmann is leading the cutting edge of German viticulture and winemaking today."

2009 AULERDE Riesling Großes Gewächs
"Ripe green and stone-fruit aromas with a sprinkling of spice. Great substance of fruit on the palate, great clarity, deft touches of herbs, spice and fruit peel setting some fine accents on a harmonious display of substance and elegance. Generous and sophisticated at the same time."
18.5/20 Drink 2011-2021

2009 KIRCHSPIEL Riesling Großes Gewächs
"Quite deceptive, starts off softly, softly with the merest hint of an herbaceous note, in a lush sort of way. The abundance of fruit is as impressive as in 2008, but the element of minerality seems to have come slightly more to the fore for 2009. This year I have picked vineyard peaches, apricots, grapefruit and oranges as the most prominent contenders out of an overflowing fruit basket, but a finely tuned acidity helps to contain any notions of overripeness. Crunchy, almost chewy, with some delicate herbal notes delivering the coup de grace on an exceptionally long and complex finish."
19/20 Drink 2011-2021

2009 BRUNNENHÄUSCHEN Riesling Großes Gewächs
"Can I get away with rapier-like freshness of a pristine alpine glacier? Ripe fruit of vineyard peaches, mirabelles, grapefruit, very clean, very juicy, very fresh. Despite a tremendous intensity and concentration the wine does not lack in elegance, as a racy acidity and clearly defined minerality lift complexity to an esoteric level. I know I'm waxing lyrical, but this renders most descriptive terms as meaningless, most of all 'trocken', and even a laboratory analyst would throw away the Oechsle scales!"
19.5/20 Drink 2011-2021

2009 MORSTEIN Riesling Großes Gewächs
"Just as in 2008 I perceive a hint of caramel, probably the expression of fruit ripened to perfection. It seems sheer folly to list individual fruit contributions, as there are so many, suffice to say that the trap of exuberant tropicality has been avoided. Despite an abundance of fruit the Morstein is very fresh, zesty and lively. Juicy acidity paired with a salty minerality add another dimension, and for once terms like substance, depth, concentration and endless finish seem inadequate to sum up the sheer class of this wine."
19/20 Drink 2011-2021

This month Neil Fairlamb encounters the best of Germany 2010
(Neil Fairlamb)

"...the GG top vineyard concept showed itself working in four wines from Wittmann, subtly different, with Morstein the fullest, fleshiest and longest in character."

VDP GG Sneak Preview in Wiesbaden
(Marie von Ahm)

2010 MORSTEIN Riesling Großes Gewächs
A dense and very upfront nose with loads of ripe citrus fruit, pineapples and candied orange peel. Well structured on the palate, with wonderful complexity and great depth. A rich and exotic wine that keeps opening up in the glass.
94/100

Primeurproeverij Grosse Gewächse VDP: strak wit 2010
(Rene van Heusden & Lars Daniëls MV)

Winnaars op een rijtje
Beste Riesling 2010
Wittmann 2010 KIRCHSPIEL Riesling

Coup de coeur
Wittmann 2010 KIRCHSPIEL Riesling

Top
Wittmann 2010 MORSTEIN Riesling

Zeer goed
Wittmann 2010 AULERDE Riesling
Wittmann 2010 BRUNNENHÄUSCHEN Riesling