2002 Hochheimer Holle Riesling Kabinett Trocken

The 2001 and 2000 vintages were not easy ones for Gunther Kunstler, as he dealt with some difficult weather, personnel problems and much-expanded acreage. So I am especially happy to report that there is a lot to like here from 2002. Partly on account of the extremely hot summer weather - the cellar was being supported by air conditioning when I visited - Kunstler had elected to hold several wines in tank for later-than-usual bottling. The pinot noir collection here in 2002, despite being harvested in late October and thus having had to contend with rain, is once again quite impressive. I omit detailed notes on these wines to save space and because my tastings of pinot were of individual lots from cask. The eventual "two-star" pinot should be an excellent place to start in glimpsing what results Kunstler has been achieving with Burgundy's great red grape. (Rudi Wiest) Also recommended: 2002 Riesling Trocken, 2002 Hochheimer Holle Riesling Auslese Trocken A. P. #23, 2002 Riesling Halbtrocken, 2002 Hochheimer Holle Riesling Kabinett, 2002 Hochheimer Holle Riesling Eiswein.