Weingut Keller - Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Spätlese 2001

Weingut Keller - Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Spätlese 2001

Vintage: 2001
Site: Dalsheimer Hubacker (Rheinhessen)
Predicate: Late Harvest
Grape variety: Riesling (100%)
Winery: Weingut Keller (Flörsheim-Dalsheim)
Winemaker: Klaus-Peter Keller
Maturity potential: Peak reached - ready to drink with further potential until at least 2030+.

Background

• Weingut Keller:One of Germany's absolute top producers ("VDP" member), Klaus-Peter Keller is regarded as a pioneer who redefined Rheinhessen.

• Site "Hubacker":One of the best single vineyards in Germany (Großes Gewächs). Red sandstone soil gives the Riesling mineral depth and structure.

• 2001 vintage: A legendary vintage for German Rieslings - characterised by optimal ripeness, high acidity and perfect balance.

Sensory characteristics & character (as of 2024)

1. Colour:

   • Intense gold with amber-coloured reflections - typical of mature Spätlese wines.

2. Nose:

   • Ripe fruit: tinned peaches, stewed apricots, ripe pineapple.

   • Minerality: Distinct flint, cool slate nuances.

   • Complex tertiary flavours: Honeycomb, caramel, delicate smoky notes and petrol (harmoniously integrated).

3. Palate:

   • Sweetness & acidity: perfect balance - the residual sugar sweetness (≈80-90 g/l) is carried by lively acidity.

   • Texture: Silky-dense, almost oily, but with a floating lightness.

   • Flavours: Ripe mirabelle plums, dried herbs, a hint of salt and a long-lasting mineral character.

   • Finish: Extremely long (1+ minute), with a hint of bitter orange and fresh herbal tea.

Rating

• Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (exceptional wine)

• Maturity: At its peak - tertiary flavours dominate without overpowering the fruit.

• Potential: Will keep for another 5-10 years if stored optimally (12-14°C, dark).

• Drinking recommendation: Enjoy now - shows the full splendour of a mature Spätlese.

Specialities

• Rarity: The 2001 Hubacker is one of Keller's early masterpieces and is hardly available today.

• Price segment:

  • UVP 2001: ≈€25-35

  • Current market value (at auction): €100-150/bottle- depending on provenance.

• Culinary accompaniment:

  • Asian cuisine (spicy curries), foie gras, mature cheese (Comté, Gorgonzola dolce) or solo as a meditation.

Conclusion

The Keller Hubacker Spätlese 2001is a timeless monument to German wine culture. It combines the power of the terroir with the elegance of the 2001 vintage. The mineral precision and complex mature flavours make it a moving experience - a wine that shows why Keller is revered as the "magician of sandstone". A must for collectors and connoisseurs!

Tip: When tasting, serve at 10-12°C to fully appreciate the acidity and nuances. Large Burgundy glass recommended.