Wwe. Dr H. Thanisch - Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel 1937

Wwe. Dr H. Thanisch - Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1937

Introduction

Wwe. Dr H. Thanisch (Erben Thanisch) is one of the most famous wine estates on the Middle Moselle. Its name is inextricably linked with the legend of the Bernkasteler Doctor - one of the smallest, most expensive and most prestigious vineyards in Germany. The Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)from the 1937 vintage is one of the absolute rarities of international wine culture. This report sheds light on the origin, the vintage and the extraordinary significance of this bottle.

The winery: Widow Dr H. Thanisch

The winery was founded in 1636, but only achieved world fame under Dr Hugo Thanisch (died 1895) and later his widow, Katharina Thanisch. The name "Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch" (widow of Dr H. Thanisch) established itself as a trademark for the highest quality. The estate owns exclusive shares in the Bernkasteler Doctor vineyard, which only covers around 3.2 hectares. The Thanisch family has cultivated these steep south-facing slopes with the greatest care for generations and favours late harvesting, natural botrytis (noble rot) and traditional ageing in large oak barrels.

The vineyard: Bernkasteler Doctor

The name "Doctor" is based on a medieval legend: A sick Archbishop of Trier is said to have been cured by a wine from this slope and subsequently named it "Doctor". The site is a south-facing, extremely steep slate slope above the Moselle in Bernkastel-Kues. The Devonian slate soil stores heat and provides excellent drainage. The small size and the unique microclimate - the Moselle reflects the sun's rays - allow the Riesling grapes to ripen exceptionally well. Wines from this site have been among the most expensive in Germany since the 19th century.

The wine: Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1937

Trockenbeerenauslese is the highest predicate level in German wine law. For this wine, only grapes that were completely penetrated by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), selected berry by berry and already dried to sultanas were harvested. The 1937 vintage is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century on the Moselle. A warm, dry summer and a long, sunny autumn favoured perfect botrytis formation combined with a high acid structure - a basic prerequisite for decades of ageing.

After almost 90 years, the wine presents itself in a deep amber colour with golden reflections. On the nose, it develops a complex bouquet of dried apricots, honey, candied citrus fruit, caramel, cloves and a fine mineral note from the slate. Despite the high residual sugar content of often over 300 g/l, the palate is characterised by an extraordinary freshness - the lively acidity balances the sweetness perfectly. The finish is extremely long, concentrated and leaves behind flavours of quince paste, walnut and fine tea.

Rarity and collector's value

The Trockenbeerenauslese 1937 from Thanisch is one of the most sought-after rarities on the wine collector's market. Even then, only a few hundred litres were produced, as the yield from the Beerenauslese was extremely low. The few bottles that still exist today (mostly 0.375 litres or 0.75 litres) come almost exclusively from former wineries or family cellars. At auctions, bottles of this wine are regularly traded at prices in the low to mid five-digit euro range.

Conclusion

The Wwe. Dr H. Thanisch - Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1937is not an everyday wine, but a liquid cultural asset. It combines the expertise of a traditional winery, the magic of a unique location and the luck of a vintage of the century. For connoisseurs, it is the epitome of the great Mosel Riesling TBA: infinitely aromatic, with a sublime sweetness and yet carried by an acidity that makes it appear young even after almost a century. Opening a bottle of this wine is like travelling back in time to the wine world of the 1930s - an unforgettable experience.