Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen Schlossböckelheim - Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Beerenauslese 1971

Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen-Schlossböckelheim - Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Beerenauslese 1971

1.Introduction and origin
This wine comes from one of the historically most important wine estates in Germany, the Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen-Schlossböckelheim in the Nahe wine-growing region . The domain, as a state wine estate in Rhineland-Palatinate, looks back on a long tradition of top wine production and has been one of the defining quality authorities in the German wine world for decades.

The single vineyard "Dorsheimer Burgberg" is one of the most renowned steep slopes on the Nahe. It is characterised by weathered, quartzite and slate-rich soil, which gives the Rieslings intense minerality, delicate structure and great ageing potential. The exposure to the sun favours ripeness, while the microclimate on the Nahe ensures fresh acidity.

2.The special features of the 1971 vintage
The 1971vintage is one of the legendary vintages of the centuryin Germany. A rather average summer was followed by an exceptionally warm, sunny and dry autumn. These conditions allowed for perfect, slow ripening and the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea)in ideal form. The grapes achieved extremely high must weights while retaining their vitality. Wines from this vintage are famous for their concentration, complexity and longevity.

3.The predicate: Beerenauslese (BA)
In a Beerenauslese , individually hand-picked, noble rotten berries are processed. This requires immense selection and labour. The wines are naturally sweet(due to their high natural sugar content), but the noble rot and acid structure give them a complex sweetness that is never overpowering. They are among the great, rare and long-lasting treasures of viticulture.

4.Sensory description (current status - as of 2024)
After more than 50 years of ageing in the bottle, this wine is in an exceptional phase of its development.

• Colour:Deep golden yellow to light amber, with viscous, slow "runniness" ("tears") on the glass - a sign of the high concentration and residual sugar weight.

• Nose: A highly complex, tertiary bouquet dominates. Primary fruit aromas have given way to an abundance of ripe aromas: Honeycomb, overripe apricot and mirabelle plum, dried orange peel (marmalade), caramel, a light note of roasted nuts (hazelnut) and a clear, typically ripe botrytis spice (of ginger, saffron). The mineral character of the Burgberg remains recognisable in the background - a cool, stony note.

• Palate: The entry is full-bodied and opulent, but with a brilliant, lively aciditythat gives the wine amazing freshness and tension even with age. The sweetness is perfectly integrated, not sticky but elegant. The palate repeats the aromas of the nose and adds flavours of tea leaf, musk and a subtle waxiness. The texture is silky and dense.

• Finish: The finish is extremely long, complex and persistent, with acidity and mineral structure providing a clean, lingering finish where the sweetness slowly fades, leaving a refreshing, bittersweet citrus note.

5. Ageing potential and drinking recommendation

• Maturity: The wine is on a plateau of maturity, with all components (sweetness, acidity, extract, noble rot tannins) in perfect harmony. It has lost none of its vitality and has the potential to remain at this level for many years, if not decades, with optimal ageing.

• Drinking temperature: 10-12°C. Excessive cooling suppresses the immense spectrum of flavours.

• Glass: Large, bulbous white wine glass (e.g. Riesling Grand Cru glass).

• Accompaniment: This wine is a meditative pleasure wine on its own, ideal as a "contemplative wine" for concentrated savouring. Classic accompaniments would be intense blue cheese (Roquefort, Gorgonzola dolce), foie gras or not too sweet fruit-baseddesserts (apricot or quince tart). It can also be paired with light dark chocolate.

6.Summary rating
The Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen-Schlossböckelheim - Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Beerenauslese 1971 is an absolute icon of German viticulture, embodying the perfect synthesis of a magnificent terroir (Burgberg), a historic vintage (1971), the highest Prädikat level (BA) and the masterful cellar management of the former domain.

This wine exemplifies the timeless greatness and ageability of top German Rieslings. It is not a simple "sweet wine", but a complex, profound and moving flavour experience that demonstrates the magic of noble rot and the power of bottle ageing in a unique way. A wine for connoisseurs and for special, festive occasions - a vivid history lesson in liquid form.

Rating (in historical context): 98/100 points.
(Note: A present-day sensory evaluation confirms the contemporary judgements that gave this vintage and these wines top marks)