Bischöfliches Konvikt - Kaseler Kehrnagel Riesling Auslese dry 1989

Bischöfliches Konvikt - Kaseler Kehrnagel Riesling Auslese dry 1989

Summary:
A legendary, fully ripe and complex Riesling from one of the great vintages of the 20th century. This wine represents the pinnacle of what was possible on the Mosel in a perfect season of dry, long-lived premium Rieslings. Today it is a rarity and a time capsule of Moselle-typical elegance and power.

1. origin and background

• Winery:Bischöfliches Konvikt Trier. This winery was founded in 1950 by the Trier Bishops' Conference and cultivates some of the best vineyards on the Moselle, Saar and Ruwer. It is known for classic, often long matured Rieslings of great finesse and minerality.

• Site:Kaseler Kehrnagel. One of the top single vineyards on the Ruwer, a tributary of the Moselle. The steep, south-west facing slate slopes optimally store the sun's heat and give the wines a distinctive mineral note, combined with fine fruit and racy acidity. The name "Kehrnagel" is probably derived from "Kehre im Hang" or "Karnickel" (rabbit).

• Vintage: 1989, an absolute vintage of the century on the Moselle. Characterised by an ideal, warm and sunny summer with perfect ripening conditions. The wines are characterised by exceptional ripeness, concentration and a healthy, lively acidity, which guarantees an extremely long shelf life.

• Predicate:Auslese dry. This is a special category. The grapes were selected (picked) and had the sugar ripeness for an Auslese, but were then fully fermented so that hardly any residual sugar remained. The result is a powerful, complex and yet elegant dry Riesling of great finesse, which is clearly different from a cabinet or late harvest dry wine.

2. sensory description (as of approx. 2020-2024)

A wine of this maturity is constantly changing. A tasting today would probably show the following profile:

• Colour:Deep golden yellow with amber and perhaps already slightly orange reflections - a typical development in mature Rieslings.

• Nose (bouquet):Extremely complex and multi-layered. The primary youthful fruit has given way to a wide range of tertiary aromas. Expected are:

  • Ripe fruit: Cooked apple, quince jam, dried apricots, candied orange peel.

  • Minerality: distinct damp slate, pebbles, an almost smoky note.

  • Tertiary aromas:honeycomb, petrol (a classic Riesling ripeness aroma), a light nutty note (walnut, marzipan), perhaps a hint of benzoin or tea leaves.

  • The nose is dense, complex and promising.

• Palate (flavour):

  • Texture: on the palate, the wine is full-bodied and silky, almost oily, but never heavy or fat due to the still-present acid structure.

  • Flavour profile:The aromas of the nose continue on the palate: a wonderful blend of ripe, cooked fruit (apple sauce, citrus jam) and the non-fruity components of mineral, petrol and nut.

  • Acidity:The acidity is no longer aggressive and sharp as it was when young, but is fully integrated into the texture of the wine. It gives the wine incredible vibrancy and length and prevents it from appearing tired.

  • Finish: Extremely long and persistent. The flavours of slate and ripe fruit linger for minutes.

3. evaluation and potential

• Maturity point:A wine of this structure and from this vintage has certainly reached its plateau of drinking maturity, but it is not a wine that "expires". With proper storage (cool, dark, constant temperature) it can be kept at this high level for years, if not another decade. It is a perfect example of the unrivalled ageing potential of great Mosel Rieslings.

• Food recommendation: This is a great menu wine. It goes perfectly with complex, aromatic dishes:

  • Poultry in cream sauce (e.g. pheasant)

  • Veal fillet with morels

  • Mature, not too intense cheeses (e.g. Comté, Beaufort, old mountain cheese)

  • Due to its maturity and complexity, it is also a perfect "meditation wine" that should be enjoyed without accompanying a meal.

4. conclusion

The Bischöfliches Konvikt - Kaseler Kehrnagel Riesling Auslese trocken 1989is a wine of historical significance. It embodies the essence of a perfect Mosel vintage in a rare and sophisticated style (dry Auslese). Anyone who has the opportunity today to taste a well-stored bottle in its original packaging will experience a piece of German wine history - a mature, complex, elegant and yet powerful Riesling that masterfully represents the unique combination of fruit, minerality and acidity. An absolute reference wine.