2008 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Kabinett

With a total production of only about 20,000 bottles of year from some five acres of vineyards, the wines of Karl-Josef Christoffel are neither widely known nor seen, but they are certainly worth seeking out. The wealth of older vintages still available at the estate attests to the fact that he has been making fine rieslings for years. Although the spatleses and ausleses are richer in flavor, the star of this year's line-up is definitely the Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett, a beautiful expression of its vineyard's character and very attractively priced. Also recommended: 2008 Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese Feinherb (90), 2008 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese (89), 2008 Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese (92).