Weingut Keller - AbtsE Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel 2011

Keller Winery – AbtsE Riesling Beerenauslese 2011 (Gold Cap)

1. Basic Information

The Beerenauslese (BA) is a noble sweet wine in which only fully ripe grapes, affected by noble rot (Botrytis), are selected by hand. The gold capsule denotes the particularly high-quality stage of vinification.

2. Origin & Terroir

The Westhofener Brunnenhäuschenvineyard was first mentioned as early as 1280 as an ‘outstanding site on fertile soil’. At the heart of this vineyard lies the old plot known as ‘Abtserde’ – a soil composed of clay marl with a high limestone content. The high iron oxide content gives the soil a reddish colour, known as ‘Terra Rossa’. These limestone-rich soils lend the wines their characteristic minerality and fine acidity.

The Keller winery is run by the Keller family, with Klaus-Peter Keller currently in charge of the estate. Under his leadership, the winery has developed into one of the world’s most highly regarded producers of mineral-driven Rieslings. Wine journalist Jancis Robinson even refers to Keller Rieslings as ‘German Montrachets’.

3. Ratings & Awards

The wine consistently receives top marks from renowned critics:

Critics are unanimous in their praise of this wine’s exceptional quality and complexity.

4. Aromas & flavour profile

Nose

The nose reveals a multi-layered palette:

• Sweet dried fruit, delicate hints of honey, caramel

• rose notes and rock sugar

• Citrus fruits (candied peel, fresh juice)

• Smoky and honeyed accents from the botrytis

• Mango, peach

Palate

On the palate, the wine impresses with:

• Aclear and dense mouthfeel

• A sweet, extract-rich profile

• Elegant acidity – a thrilling balance between sweetness and acidity

• An oily texture combined with a distinct brightness

• Chalky minerality with limestone-driven freshness

Finish

The finish is very long with a savoury-sweet aftertaste. The intensity and length of the finish are described as ‘redoubtably long’ (impressively long).

5. Price & Availability

The wine is a rare collector’s item and commands a correspondingly high price:

Prices vary considerably depending on bottle size and sales platform. Its limited availability makes the wine a highly sought-after item for collectors and enthusiasts.

6. Ageing potential & drinking window

David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate) predicts that the wine can agefor at least another three decades without any issues. Community reviews confirm that the 2011 vintage was still in excellent condition10 years after harvest (2021) and has further potential for decades to come.

Its drinking window is currently (mid-2020s) described as optimal, as the balance of sweetness, acidity and minerality is at a harmonious stage.

7. Conclusion

The Weingut Keller – AbtsE Riesling Beerenauslese 2011 (Gold Cap) is an exceptional, world-class sweet Riesling . It combines the complex aromas of dried fruit, honey and citrus with an impressive mineral depth and an elegant acidity profile. The top ratings from Parker, Gault Millau and Riesling.de underscore its excellence. Due to its limited availability and high demand, it is not only a delight to drink, but also a highly sought-after collector’s item. For lovers of great German Rieslings, this wine is a must-have – anyone who has the opportunity to taste it should not hesitate.

Sources: Wine Advocate (David Schildknecht), Gault Millau, Riesling.de, CellarTracker, WineBid, Jahrhundertweine.de, WHWC.com