Dr Bürklin Wolf - Ruppertsberger Hoheburg Riesling Auslese 1921

Tasting note: Dr Bürklin-Wolf - Ruppertsberger Hoheburg Riesling Auslese 1921

Colour:
A deep, transcendent amber gold with copper reflections and olive-green glints at the rim - a testament to over a century of oxidation, yet with an improbable radiance. The colour is reminiscent of liquid resin, interspersed with golden streaks of light that testify to the wine's unbroken vitality.

Nose:
A bouquet of mythical complexity: intense petrol, liquid honey and roasted almonds open the spectacle, followed by layers of dried apricots, candied blood orange peel and a waxy texture. Hidden beneath this is a mineral elemental force - slate, pebbles, a pinch of sea salt - which lends archaic depth to the fragrance profile. Light oxidative notes (sherry nut, old parchment) blend in discreetly, while a hint of faded flowers (lime blossom, edelweiss) reminds us of the wine's lost youth.

Palate:
A drama of sweetness and acidity unfolds on the palate: the residual sweetness is as if preserved in amber, but a spectacular, cutting acidity keeps it in breathtaking balance. Flavours of stewed quince, dates, saffron and a pinch of ginger dominate, carried by a texture that oscillates between silk and liquid gold. The minerality (slate quarry, salty sea air) permeates every sip and lends the wine an almost architectural rigour. The sweetness is not opulent, but rather like a relic of past hours of sunshine.

Finish:
The finish is endless, an echo of time: petrol, honey wax and a smoky minerality merge with a salty-bitter precision (grapefruit peel, iron). The acidity still vibrates on the tongue minutes later, while the sweetness glides gently into the distance - a farewell that begs to return.

Overall impression:
The Ruppertsberger Hoheburg Riesling Auslese 1921 from Dr Bürklin-Wolf is a monument to German wine culture - a wine of the century that confirms the legend of the "vintage of the century" in every facet. The combination of sheer longevity, mineral power and the ability to retain freshness even after 100+ years makes it unique. Here, the austerity of the Hoheburg site (steep slate slopes) is combined with the alchemical art of 1920s vinification. A wine that no longer just conveys flavour, but history: born in the turmoil of the post-war period, matured through the ages, outlasted by perfection.

Rating:★★★★★ (5/5 - An immortal masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Not just a wine, but a cultural heritage in a glass).

Indication:
A wine of this age is a fragile wonder - this note is based on an example with impeccable provenance (including decades of storage in Bürklin's vaulted cellar). Minimal oxidation adds to the complexity, without dominance.

Context:

• Vintage 1921:Perhaps the greatest German vintage of the 20th century, characterised by ideal botrytis, sunny autumn days and cool nights. The wines possess mythical acidity structures and infinite potential.

• Dr Bürklin-Wolf:A pioneer in the Palatinate even back then, with a focus on terroir-true, mineral Rieslings. The biodynamic philosophy is rooted in this era (inspired by Rudolf Steiner).

• Hoheburg site:A steep, south-west-facing slate slope in Ruppertsberg, which retained its cool minerality even in the warm weather of 1921. The name ("Hohe Burg") refers to the iron-rich soils.

• Historical background:The wine was created during the hyperinflationary period of the Weimar Republic - an ironic point, as bottles like this are priceless rarities today.

• Vinification: Long maceration periods, spontaneous fermentation in wooden vats and years of barrel ageing characterise the style. No modern technology, just patience and craftsmanship.

"A wine that outwits time: It harbours the suns of 1921, the storms of the century and the silence of eternity."