Hessische Staatsweingüter Kloster Eberbach - Steinberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel Auction Wine 2011

Hessian State Wineries, Kloster Eberbach – Steinberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel 2011

1. The Hessian State Wineries of Kloster Eberbach – A Millennium of Wine History

The Hessian State Wineries of Eberbach Abbey are more than just a winery – they are a living monument to German wine culture. Their history dates back to 1136, when Cistercian monks founded Eberbach Abbey and began cultivating vines. Over the centuries, they shaped the wine-growing culture of the Rheingau and laid the foundations for the region’s current international reputation.

The winery is now owned by the State of Hesse and cultivates around 200 hectares of vineyards in the Rheingau and along the Hessian Bergstraße. It is a member of the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates) and ranks among Germany’s most significant and time-honoured wine estates. The wines are matured in the monastery’s historic cellars, which are among the oldest and largest wine cellars in the world.

2. The Steinberg – A world-class monopole vineyard

The Steinbergvineyard is the heart of Kloster Eberbach and one of the world’s most famous Riesling vineyards. It is situated in the Hattenheim district of the municipality of Eltville am Rhein and, at 37.2 hectares, is the largest single vineyard in the Rheingau.

What makes the Steinberg so unique:

• Exclusive vineyard: The Steinberg is wholly owned by the Hessian State Wineries of Kloster Eberbach – a rarity in German viticulture.

• Walls: The vineyard is surrounded by a historic wall, which creates its own microclimate and protects the vines from cold winds.

• Soil: The soils consist of deep Taunus quartzite and phyllite with a high slate content, which lends the wines an unmistakable minerality and a fine acidity profile.

• Exposure: The south-facing slopes guarantee maximum sunshine and optimal ripening conditions.

As early as the 13th century, Eberbach Abbey was able to acquire the entire vineyard through targeted purchases – a decision that continues to have an impact to this day.

3. The 2011 vintage in the Rheingau

The 2011vintage in the Rheingau was a vintage of contrasts: A cool, wet spring delayed budbreak, followed by a warm, dry summer that allowed the vines to catch up. The early and warm autumn, with ideal conditions for noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), created the perfect conditions for sweet wines such as Trockenbeerenauslese.

The wines of the 2011 vintage are characterised by a fine acidity structure, elegant fruit and great ageing potential – qualities that are particularly evident in a Trockenbeerenauslese. Connoisseurs rate the vintage as very good to outstanding for noble sweet Rieslings.

4. The wine in detail

Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) is the highest tier in the German Prädikat wine pyramid. For this wine , only grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis) and completely dried out are selected by hand. The yield is minuscule – often only a few drops are produced from a whole bunch of grapes. The gold capsule identifies this wine as a particularly fine bottling, which is usually reserved for auctions.

5. Tasting notes

The tasting notes for this wine paint a picture of a dense, complex yet elegant wine of exceptional quality.

Falstaff (97/100 points) – Tasting on 20 April 2018

“An extremely pure raisin nose with a subtle hint of slate. Wax, black tea, dried fruit. On the palate, it is oily with juicy acidity; the extract seems rather loose-knit, yet it is also still almost closed; the finish is slightly drying – likely not due to the alcohol, but rather to its body.”

This note highlights the mineral depth of the Steinberg terroir – the ‘shaly piquancy’ is a hallmark of this unique vineyard. In 2018, seven years after the harvest, the wine had not yet fully opened up – a sign of its enormous ageing potential.

Tastingbook (98/100 points)

“Bright amber colour. Elegant nose with a slightly closed character. Dried raisins and apricots, candied tangerine peel, marmalade. Opulent and rich on the palate, powerful with persistence, excellent depth and length, rich sugar content perfectly balanced with distinct acidity, great length.”

The amber colour is characteristic of highly concentrated TBA wines. The aromas of dried raisins, apricots, candied mandarin and marmalade bear witness to the intense Botrytis selection. Particularly noteworthy is the perfect balance between the lush sweetness and the distinct acidity – the hallmark of a great Riesling.

Greatestwines.com

“The Baiken Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Cabinet 2011 has a beautiful golden colour and a rich aroma of ripe apricots, honey and citrus fruits. On the palate, it is full-bodied and luscious, with flavours of honey, apricot and peach, balanced by a refreshing acidity that gives the wine a long and elegant finish.”

The notes of honey, apricot and peach, together with the refreshing acidity on the finish, make this wine a masterpiece of balance – despite its immense sweetness, it remains lively and elegant.

6. Overview of critics’ reviews

The 97 Falstaff points place this wine amongst the very best sweet Rieslings in the world. Falstaff awards this score only to wines of exceptional quality – the same category includes vintages such as the 2015 Steinberger TBA, which scored 99 points.

7. Market prices and availability

The 2011 Steinberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel is an extremely rare auction wine and is available only in very limited quantities.

The price range from €100 to just under €1,000 is due to the different bottle sizes (0.375 l vs. 0.75 l) and the rarity of the large bottles. At €990, the 0.75-litre bottle is a highly valuablecollector’s item.

8. Drinking window and ageing potential

Experts indicatean exceptionally long drinking windowfor this wine :

• Tastingbook: Recommended drinking window 2020–2035

• Falstaff (2018): At the tasting, the wine was ‘almost still closed’ – a clear sign of further development potential

With optimal storage (constant temperature, high humidity, bottle stored horizontally), this wine will continue to delight for decades to come. As it ages , the honeyed, petrol-like and caramelised notes will intensify, whilst the fruit aromas will gain in complexity and depth.

9. Food pairings

The rich sweetness and lively acidity of the Trockenbeerenauslese make it a versatile companion for special occasions:

• Foie gras – the classic pairing, where the wine’s sweetness perfectly complements the richness of the goose liver

• Blue-veined cheese – particularly Roquefort or Gorgonzola

• Dried-fruit desserts – such as apricot tart or fig cake

• Creamy desserts – crème brûlée, vanilla custard or mascarpone cream

• Mature hard cheeses – Parmesan or mature Gouda

The Falstaff recommendation also suggests mild fish as an accompaniment – an unusual but exciting combination, in which the wine’s acidity emphasises the delicacy of the fish.

10. Classification and conclusion

The Hessian State Winery Kloster Eberbach – Steinberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel 2011 is a world-class wine – a jewel of German winemaking that encapsulates the essence of almost 900 years of wine history in a single bottle.

What makes this wine so exceptional:

1. Its origin: The Steinberg is one of the world’s most famous vineyards – a monopole vineyard with centuries-old tradition and a unique terroir.

2. The classification:Trockenbeerenauslese is the pinnacle of German winemaking – a wine that can only be produced in exceptional vintages and with the utmost craftsmanship.

3. The gold capsule: It denotes the finest bottling – an auction wine of the highest quality.

4. The ratings: With 97 Falstaff points and 98 Tastingbook points, this wine ranks among theworld’s finest sweet Rieslings.

5. Ageing potential: With a drinking window extending to 2035 and beyond, this wine is an investment in the future.

For collectors and connoisseurs of great German Rieslings, the 2011 Steinberger TBA Goldkapsel is a rarity of the highest order – a wine that promises unforgettable moments at a tasting . With prices around 1, 000 euros for a 0.75-litre bottle, it is certainly an investment – but one that, if stored correctly, will pay dividends in terms of enjoyment and appreciation in value over the decades .

The wine is already ready to drink today, but at the 2018 tasting it still showed some ‘closed’ characteristics – anyone lucky enough to own a bottle should allow it to mature for a few more years to experience its full potential. Then it will become clear why the Steinberger Riesling has been regarded as one of the world’s greatest wines for almost nine centuries.