2007 Riesling Steeger St. Jost Grosses Gewächs

Each year Jochen Ratzenberger and Toni Jost compete for the prize of best wine collection from the historic village of Bacharach. This year Ratzenberger had the upper hand. There was not a single poor riesling in the line-up-and the finest had both weight and stature. The two Grosses Gewachs are at the top of their class from the Mittelrhein, the Posten Spatlese Halbtrocken one of the top 20 of its ilk in Germany, and the Wolfshohle Spatlese eminently satisfying. Ratzenberger's success, though, came at a price, with a third less crop than normal. "Fortunately 2008 is looking to be a normal vintage," he said, "and consumers will enjoy the lighter, more classical style. " (Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown, NJ) Also recommended: 2007 Grauburgunder Trocken (86), 2007 Steeger St. Jost Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken (87), 2007 Steeger St. Jost Riesling Spatlese Trocken (89), 2007 Riesling Caspar L (86), 2007 Bacharacher Wolfshohle Riesling Auslese (89). Other wines tasted: 2007 Bacharacher Riesling Kabinett Trocken.