German wines get a bad rap (sometimes). There are times there Rieslings can best be called sugary water. There labeling is confusing, names are hard to pronounce or remember. That said Germany (and Alsace) are the Grandfather of Riesling. If you’d like to read a bit about German wines you can check my Summary from Karen McNeil’s wine bible and go to the section on Germany. Kabinetts are the most dry (least sweet) or at least they are suppose to be. This one is quite golden in color with an odd nose. There are times there was next to nothing wafting up and other times there was some sulfur, some petrol and some sugary smells. This isn’t boding well. On the mid pallet this wine is dominated by sugar. Candied fruits come through in spades. The finish is on the lighter side of medium. If there is any savior in this wine it’s that the sugar fades quickly in the mouth. This is definitely a sweet wine. It is even a little syrupy in texture. It so sweet it’s sticky to touch. Very much not to my tastes. I’m amazed they consider this to be a Kabinett. For me this is much more of a Spatlese, maybe even an Auslese. I would give it an 86 or so. Parker apparently gave it an 87. If I had more, I’d take it back.
From the LCBO web site (different year)
DARTING RIESLING KABINETT 2007 VINTAGES 950212 | 750 mL bottle Price: $ 15.95
Wine, White Wine 9.7% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : MD
Made in: Pfalz, Germany By: Weingut Kurt Darting
Tasting Note
A luscious, appealing white, featuring apricot and candied citrus flavors, but mostly spice and mineral. There’s nice harmony and length. This is delicious now, but should benefit from a year or two in the bottle. Best from 2010 through 2020. Score – 91. (Bruce Sanderson, www.winespectator.com, Dec. 31, 2008)
