Van Volxem - Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese 2005 375ml

Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese 2005

Winery: Winery Van Volxem
Region: Saar, Germany
Site: Scharzhofberg (large site: Scharzberg)
Predicate: Auslese
Vintage: 2005
Grape variety: 100% Riesling
Alcohol content: approx. 7.5 - 8.5 % vol.
Residual sugar: estimated 90-110 g/l (typical for Auslese wines in this class)

1. introduction and context

The Scharzhofbergis one of the most legendary and prestigious vineyards not only on the Saar, but in the entire wine world. Its steep, south-west-facing slate slopes produce Rieslings of unrivalled elegance, finesse and mineral depth.

Weingut Van Volxem, under the direction of the visionary Roman Niewodniczanski, has set itself the task of restoring the historical greatness of Saar wines since it was taken over in 2000. The winery cultivates some of the best sites in the region and favours extreme reduction of yields and the gentlest vinification. The 2005 Auslese from the Scharzhofberg belongs to the absolute top class of the estate and represents the vintage and the site perfectly.

The 2005 vintagewas an outstanding year on the Saar. A long, warm summer and an ideal autumn with cool nights allowed for perfect ripeness while maintaining a lively acidity - the basic prerequisite for great, storable sweet wines.

2. sensory description (as of 2023/24)

After almost 20 years of ageing in the bottle, this wine has developed wonderfully and is in a perfect phase of drinking maturity.

• Colour: Deep golden yellow with amber reflections - a classic sign of maturity in a wine of this age.

• Nose: The bouquet is complex and multi-layered. It initially opens with intense aromas of ripe peaches, apricots, mirabelle plums and preserved lemon. Deeper notes of honeycomb, caramelised almonds and a slight hint of botrytis(noble rot reminiscent of saffron and ginger ale) develop underneath. The typical slate of the Scharzhofberg makes itself known with a smoky, mineral underlay that lends the sweet fruit the necessary rigour and class.

• Palate: The impression on the palate is breathtaking. The sweet, concentrated fruit (apricot, mango, citrus jam) immediately meets a razor-sharp acidity. This acidity structure is the backbone of the wine. It gives it incredible tension and lengthand prevents any heaviness or stickiness. The interplay between sweet fruit, mineral salinity and lively acidity is perfectly balanced. The texture is silky and dense, yet light as a feather and elegant. The finish seems to last for minutes, leaving behind memories of ripe citrus fruit, freshly ground slate and a refreshing acidity.

3. ageing potential and ageability

A wine of this concentration, acidity and balance has enormous ageing potential.

• Current state: The wine is absolutely ready to drink and unfolds its full splendour. The youthful primary fruit has given way to a complex tertiary maturity.

• Future potential: Nevertheless, it still has at least 10-15, if not 20+ years offurther development potential ahead of it. The acidity will continue to keep it alive, while the flavours can become even more complex and nuanced. It is a perfect example of the incredible ageing potential of great German Rieslings.

4. drinking recommendation

• Temperature: Serve chilled (10-12°C), but not ice cold, so as not to numb the complex flavours.

• Glass: A large, tulip-shaped white wine or Burgundy glass is ideal to concentrate the bouquet.

• Decant: Not essential, but leaving it in the glass for 10-15 minutes (or decanting carefully) opens it up beautifully and allows all the facets to come into their own.

• Food pairing: This is a contemplative wine that is best enjoyed solo as an aperitif or with dessert.

  • Ideal with fresh foie gras.

  • Perfect with not-too-sweet dessertssuch as apricot or citrus tart, creamy blue cheese (e.g. Roquefort) or simply with a bowl of ripe berries and nuts.

  • The classic pairing: blue cheese.

5. conclusion & rating

The Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese 2005 is a wine in a class of its own. It embodies everything that makes the Saar and the Scharzhofberg so unique: elegance, immeasurable finesse, mineral character and a perfect balance between sweet fruit and invigorating acidity.

This is not a heavy, opulent sweet wine, but a feather-light, complex and infinitely long wine of great drinking pleasure and intellectual fascination. It is worth travelling for and is proof of the genius of the 2005 vintage and the skill of the Van Volxem estate.

Rating: 96/100 points(expressed in the usual rating scale for such wines) - an outstanding, monumental wine that is one of the best in its category.