2010 Schloss Johannisberg, the Royal treatment

A nice line up of beautiful Riesling

The legendary Schloss Johannisberg

A beautiful article was written in yesterday's Norwegian newspaper DN, (in the D2 part) but they failed to give any description on the wines for some reason, and for the 2010's that they said was out of this world. I used to work for the Norwegian importer of this fantastic estate, so I seem to be lucky enough to taste the latest vintage every year (and sometimes even older vintages as well). Here is my view of the truly amazing 2010's of Schloss Johannisberg.

2010 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Gelblack Trocken;

Pale lemon, very pure, fruit driven, yellow fruits, elegantly balanced, fresh acidity, long finish. 91

2010 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Rotlack Trocken;

Pale lemon, again very pure, elegant texture, more focused and "sharp" in structure, long length. 91

2010 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Gelblack Feinherb;

Pale lemon, again more fruity and pure, well balanced, slightly more rounded texture, lively and long. 91

2010 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Rotlack Kabinett (Feinherb);

Pale lemon, very refined and elegant Kabinett, on the slightly drier style, or rather more classic than has been in fashion lately, pure, lively and long. 92

2010 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Grünlack Spätlese;

Pale lemon, superb refinement on the nose, balance perfection, fragrant, nuanced, layered, the elegance is out of this world, I just love this wine.... 94

2010 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Rosalack Auslese;

Somewhat deeper lemon, pure, roses, intense, layered, complex, superb acidity, stunning texture and so mouthwatering, marvelous, fantastic length. 97

2010 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Goldlack Trockenbeerenauslese;

Golden, intense, layered and seductive. 23 grams acidity, 254 g. rs, the balance, intensity and complexity is beyond words, length for minutes on end, acidity is beyond description. I think perhaps the best way to describe this wine would be to describe the reaction of the four of us tasting it. (well Christian Witte (Domäneverwalter) has tasted it many times, but I could see the anticipation in his eyes). We smelt it in the glass, looked at each other with a -"Ahhh". Then tasted it, everybody started looking at each other, smiling more and more with eyes wide open in pure pleasure, then everybody just started laughing loudly. 100

In the olden days, the wine from Schloss Johannisberg was sold only to families of Royal blood. This is also the first estate recorded to plant solely with Riesling, and Spätlese was introduced here. Few wine making properties are more legendary.

Colour coding of Schloss Johannisberg:

Gelblack: Qba, normally both dry and off dry (Feinherb) made every year.

Rotlack; Kabinett, normally both dry and off dry (Feinherb) made every year.

Silberlack: Erstes Gewächs (EG) (Grand Cru) Dry/Trocken

Grünlack: Spätlese

Rosalack: Auslese

Rosa-Goldlack: Beerenauslese (BA)

Goldlack: Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)

Blaulack: Eiswein