Edmund Reverchon - Filzener Herrenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1994 375ml

Edmund Reverchon - Filzener Herrenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1994 (Mosel, Germany)

Introduction:
This wine represents an absolute rarity and a top Mosel product. The combination of the steep Filzener Herrenberg site, the difficult 1994 vintage and the elaborate production as Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) makes it an exceptional collector's item and a sensory treasure.

Background:

• Winemaker:Edmund Reverchon was a rather small but quality-conscious producer in the Mosel village of Filzen (near Zell an der Mosel). The domain no longer exists in this form today, which makes the bottles historical witnesses.

• Location:Filzener Herrenberg. Steep south-facing slope with weathered Devonian slate soil, ideal for highly concentrated Rieslings with a mineral character.

• Vintage 1994:A challenging, late and rather cool vintage on the Mosel. Damp weather during the harvest required absolute selection. Producing a TBA in this vintage was a daring and extremely labour-intensive undertaking that was only possible with perfect botrytis (noble rot) and hand-picking grain by grain.

• Predicate:Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA). The highest predicate in German wine law. Only berries that are completely covered in noble rot and shrivelled ("dry") with an extremely high sugar and aroma concentration are harvested. The yields are minimal.

Sensory description (based on typical characteristics of such wines & vintage):

• Colour: Deep gold to amber, possibly with a slight green tinge to the rim (typical of mature Riesling).

• Nose:Intense and complex. Ripe aromas of dried apricots, mango, candied oranges, honey, caramel and sultanas dominate. Including notes of Mosel-typical slate mineral, a light smokiness, noble botrytis spice (marzipan, saffron) and developed tertiary flavours such as tea, wax and walnut. Despite the sweetness, a clear, invigorating acidity structure on the nose.

• Palate:Overwhelming concentration and sweetness, but (with a successful balance) never sticky. The ripe fruit (apricot jam, dates, exotic fruits) blends with intense honey and caramel notes. The high, racy Mosel acidity gives the wine incredible tension, freshness and length. The mineral foundation (slate) is palpable. The botrytis adds complexity and flavour. The alcohol content remains very moderate, with a long, minute-long finish in which sweetness, acidity and minerality linger harmoniously.

• Ageing potential:A wine of this concentration and acidity structure has enormous ageing potential. At almost 30 years of age, it should have reached its plateau of maturity, but with optimal storage (cool, dark, constant temperature, high humidity) it can certainly continue to fascinate for decades to come. The acidity keeps the sweetness in check and the flavours become even more complex and harmonious.

Rating & specialities:

• Extremely rare:TBAs are generally rarities. Only tiny quantities have been produced by a smaller winemaker in a difficult vintage such as 1994. Each bottle is a precious one-off.

• Vintage challenge:The production of a TBA in 1994 was a small miracle and a testimony to the highest level of selection and craftsmanship. This gives the wine a special historical dimension.

• Flavour experience:A wine of superlatives. It offers an overwhelming interplay of concentrated fruit, honey-like sweetness, racy acidity, mineral depth and complex notes of ripeness and botrytis. A meditative wine for special occasions.

• Potential risks:Less than perfect selection or sub-optimal storage could result in tendencies towards over-ripeness (dull, too little acidity) or undesirable oxidation notes. Storage history is crucial at this age.

Conclusion:
The Edmund Reverchon Filzener Herrenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1994 is a legendary, rare treasure from the Mosel. It epitomises the extreme craftsmanship of Trockenbeerenauslese under difficult conditions. For lovers of old, noble sweet Rieslings, it offers an unforgettable flavour experience of great complexity, depth and longevity. It exemplifies the unique potential of Riesling on the Moselle to produce top wines of epochal density even in less celebrated vintages.

Important: The ageing history ofa specific bottle is the decisive factor for its condition and drinking experience. A wine of this quality and age should be handled and decanted with the utmost care. The current market value is several hundred euros per bottle, depending heavily on condition and provenance.