Dr. H. Thanisch Müller Burggraef 2007 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett July, 2008 209 Buyers 117+ cases in 3 days

Barbara Rundquist Why We Chose It We had packed t-shirts and shorts, a single sweatshirt. But we really needed a parka or two. After the unseasonably warm spring in Northern Europe, things had turned cold and nasty. Our trip to Bordeaux left us shaking our heads, wondering how the French press was going to explain away the mildew that was ravaging the vines. But while much was written about the near catastrophe in Bordeaux, little has been said about the 2007 vintage in Germany, where that bitter summer gave birth to some of the most glorious Rieslings in memory. This Dr. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett is a fabulous introduction to the 2007 miracle on the Mosel. Incredibly vibrant with a delicious kernel of lemon tart fruit, the only problem with this 2007 Riesling is that you'll drink it too fast. Here's the story of how those parka mornings turned into lemon compote. On the Mosel, like the rest of Northern Europe, the spring was unseasonably warm. Flowering was completed under ideal conditions at the earliest date in history, at the end of May. But then the weather turned cold and rainy. Proprietor Barbara Rundquist's famous Doctor Cellar is hewn deep in the rocks beneath the vineyards, where the wines enjoy a constant 46 degree temperature year round. But, on this morning of June 2007, standing in the vineyards high above the cellar wasn't much warmer than being underground. Planted on deep slate soil, Rundquist's stunning vineyards are situated on steep grades overlooking the town of Bernkasel and the Mosel. The vines are hardy and drain exceedingly well. As a result, the vines barely missed a beat during the cold summer. Instead, they simply took their time, waiting for the weather to clear. We speak a lot about 'hang time,' and the importance of the slow, incremental maturity afforded to grapes in unusually long growing seasons. By the time harvest began in October, the Dr. Thanisch Riesling had spent almost 150 days on the vine, almost 50 days more than in previous harvests! When you first taste this gorgeous 2007 German Riesling, you taste the slow, drawn-out growing season. This wine is honed, tightly wound around a delicious core of (not overly!) sweet lemon fruit. But it's the fine acid structure -- again a function of the exceedingly long, cool growing season -- that carries the day, providing perfect 'cut' to the sweetness. Barbara Rundquist's stunning 2007 Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett is being offered directly by her national importer to WineAccess. 200 cases have been set aside and will begin shipping in late September after the weather breaks. Free shipping on 6 bottles or more. Tasting Notes from the WineAccess Travel Log 2007 Dr. H. Thanisch Müller Burggraef Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett "Golden in color. Deep citrus, lemon-lime aromas. Succulent lemon curd flavors. Sweet, but not overly so, a product of the long, cool growing season. Terrific acidity perfectly balancing the sweetness. Will age gracefully into bitter honey flavors, but few will have the discipline to wait that long."

This offer is ONLY available for shipping to the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.