2009 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Trocken Erstes Gewachs

The last four vintages at this venerable estate have gone from strength to strength, putting Schloss Johannisberg back in the spotlight after years of being overshadowed by its less noble neighbors. Two thousand nine continues this trend, with a stellar dry Erstes Gewachs, an off-dry kabinett that could hardly be better and a spatlese that belongs among the best of the vintage. I trust that a goodly number of bottles will find their way into the large selection of old wines maturing in the bibliotheca subterranea, as Johannisberg calls its stellar reserve cellar. Also recommended: 2009 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Trocken (87), 2009 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Kabinett Trocken (87), 2009 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Feinherb (87), 2009 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Auslese (91), 2009 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Beerenauslese (91). (Valckenberg International, Tulsa, OK)