Dr Hermann – Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 1982

Dr Hermann – Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 1982

1. Introduction

The Dr. Hermann Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 1982 is a sweet white wine from the German Mosel wine-growing region. It combines the excellence of one of the Mosel’s best-known wineries with the terroir of one of the region’s most renowned vineyards – the Ürziger Würzgarten. The 1982 vintage is regarded as one of the finest of the 20th century for the Mosel, lending this Auslese wine particular significance for collectors and connoisseurs of mature Rieslings.

2. The Dr. Hermann Winery

The Dr. Hermann Riesling winery is now managed by Christian Hermann and cultivates over 17 hectares of vineyards. Winegrowing has been a tradition in the Hermann family for several centuries.

The current winery was established in 1967 following the division of the estate ofthe Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben in Ürzig. Christian Hermann’s grandfather, the doctor Dr Hermann, founded his own winery using the vineyards belonging to his branch of the family. The production facilities were later relocated from Ürzig to Erden, where a spacious, modern cellar was built.

The winery specialises in growing Riesling on steep slopes. Almost all the vineyards are situated in the famous sites of Erdener Prälat, Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Treppchen and are planted with ungrafted Riesling vines. These sites are among the most historic vineyards in the world – quality viticulture has been practised here since ancient times, almost 2,000 years ago.

The winery is a member of the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates) and regularly produces high-quality Prädikat wines ranging from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese.

3. The vineyard: Ürziger Würzgarten

The Ürziger Würzgarten is a VDP.GROSE LAGE® – the highest classification for vineyard sites in Germany. It lies as a bright red, very steep amphitheatre facing south to south-east, directly on the Moselle opposite the village of Erden.

The vineyard covers 56 hectares with an east-southeast to south-facing aspect. Its defining features are:

• 80% steep slopes, 20% sloping terrain

• Deep, stony slate soil and red bedrock of volcanic origin

• Steep slopes with gradients of 45 to 65 per cent

The Ürziger Würzgarten is renowned for its warm microclimate and mineral-rich soils, which lend the Rieslings a unique combination of fruit, spice and mineral depth. The name ‘Würzgarten’ already hints at the characteristic spiciness that distinguishes the wines from this vineyard.

4. The 1982 vintage on the Moselle

The 1982 vintage is regarded as one of the finestvintages of the 20th century for the Mosel. Weather conditions were ideal for the production of high-quality Prädikat wines with excellent acidity and great ageing potential. Wines from this vintage are now – over 40 years later – highly sought-after and rank among the region’sclassic collector’s wines.

For the 1982 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese, this means:

• Optimal botrytis development (noble rot) thanks to ideal autumn conditions

• High natural sweetness combined with lively acidity

• Exceptional ageing potential – the wine is now at its peak drinking maturity

5. Characteristics and drinking maturity

According to German wine law ,an ‘Auslese’ is a Prädikat wine made from overripe grapes with a sugar content of at least 85–95 °Oechsle. The Riesling Auslese from the Ürziger Würzgarten also benefits from the unique minerality of the slate and volcanic rock, which lends the wine its unmistakable spice.

For the 1982 vintage, after more than four decades of bottle ageing, the following characteristics can be expected:

• Colour: Deep golden yellow with amber-coloured highlights

• Nose: Complex aromas of honey, ripe peaches and apricots, as well as typical petrol-like notes (a hallmark of mature Rieslings), complemented by spicy, mineral hints from the slate soil

• Palate: velvety sweetness with fine, lively acidity – a perfect balance between sweetness and freshness; a long, mineral finish with notes of caramel, dried fruit and subtle spice

After more than 40 years, this wine has reached its peakdrinking maturity. If stored correctly (cool, dark, lying down), it can last for many more years, but should ideally be enjoyed within the next few years.

6. Ratings and Prices

Specific tasting notes for the Dr Hermann Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 1982 are only sporadically documented in publicly accessible sources. However, there is a forum post containing tasting notes for an ‘Ürziger Würzgarten, Auslese (12 83) 1982 Sanitätsrat Dr Hermann’, which describes a pale honey-yellow colour and mature, honey-like aromas.

For comparable wines from Dr. Hermann and similar vintages, the following guidelines can be derived:

• The Dr Hermann Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese Lange Goldkapsel is listed in shops at an average price of around 101 USD (excl. tax) – although this price relates to more recent vintages.

• The 1982 vintage is considered a rarity and will fetchsignificantly higher prices at auctions or in specialist shops , provided it is available at all.

Dr Hermann’s wines are regularly awarded high ratings (90+ Parker points)by leading critics , with the Auslese wines from top vineyards such as the Ürziger Würzgarten often receiving the highest ratings within the portfolio.

7. Conclusion

The Dr Hermann Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese 1982 is an exceptional, matured Riesling from one of the Mosel’s most renowned estates, sourced from one of the region’s finest vineyards. The 1982 vintage, the unique terroir of the Würzgarten with its slate and volcanic soils, and decades of bottle ageing make this wine a highly sought-after collector’s item.

For lovers of great, mature Rieslings, this wine offers an incomparable taste experience: the perfect balance between honeyed richness and mineral freshness, paired with the complex spiciness that gives the Würzgarten its name. Anyone who has the opportunity to taste this wine should seize it – it is a living testament to the wine culture of the Moselle and its ability to produce wines of exceptional longevity and elegance.