2003 Riesling Hochheimer Hölle Auslese

Gunther Kunstler began picking in early October but then took his time. The results are a wide range of successes reminiscent of the results here throughout the '90s, including dry wines with enough stuffing to balance their alcohol. Among Kunstler's dry wines, I marginally preferred as a group those labeled Kabinett, but nearly every must was near or over the minimum required for Auslese. Kunstler's pinot noirs (tasted from cask), which he harvested in September, are also impressively promising this year. (Rudi Wiest/Cellars International, Carlsbad, CA) Also recommended: 2003 Hochheimer Holle Riesling Spatlese Trocken, 2003 Hochheimer Kirchenstuck Riesling Auslese Trocken, 2003 Hochheimer Kirchenstuck Riesling Auslese, 2003 Hochheimer Holle Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese.