2007 Chardonnay R

It is often said that the mettle of a winemaker is tested in lesser vintages-and there is no question that Hansjorg Rebholz made very good wines in 2006. What happens, though, in an exceptional year? All you have to do is look at what he bottled in 2007. Already at crush, he was delighted by the grapes he was harvesting and claimed then that it would be one of the best vintages he had ever made. No sooner said than done. There was literally nothing mediocre here. Moreover, a dozen wines are first rate-and that across a wide range of varieties. No one can match his performance with pinot blanc or chardonnay, but his rieslings and pinot noir are also at the head of their class. This is certainly the best estate in the Pfalz at present and one of the top dozen in Germany. But keep in mind that the Rebholz style is a touch austere, so that the wines need time to unfold. (Rudi Wiest) Also recommended: 2007 Muskateller Kabinett Trocken (88), 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Kabinett Trocken (90), 2006 Grauer Burgunder Spatlese Trocken (88), 2007 π-no Spatlese Trocken "R" (93), 2007 Riesling Kabinett Trocken Bundsandstein (86), 2007 Riesling Spatlese Trocken Bundsandstein (89), 2007 Riesling Spatlese Trocken Vom Rotliegenden (91), 2007 Riesling Spatlese Buntsandstein (88), 2007 Riesling Spatlese Vom Rotliegenden (90), 2007 Traminer Spatlese (89), 2007 Albersweiler Latt Traminer Auslese (94), 2006 Spatburgunder Spatlese Trocken Tradition (88).