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Falkenstein
Falkenstein
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Stock Up & Save On
Falkenstein
Stock Up & Save On
Falkenstein
In 1985, Erich and Marita Weber began restoring the decaying Falksteinerhof winery in the Saar valley of Tälchen. Today, now joined in their work by their son Johannes, they craft some of the most soulful and quietly complex Riesling from their ancient vines.
The Webers personally work their vines by hand using organic methods, deviating only by avoiding the use of copper, as it is a toxic heavy metal. They do not use herbicides or fertilizers and avoid tilling for the most part. Yields are kept very low, naturally due to the vines’ ages and through pruning down to one flat cane per vine.
Some of their prize vineyard holdings include Niedermenniger Herrenberg, from which they source their Pinot Noir for their Spätburguner rosé and the Weissburgunder for their extraordinary Pet-Nat, Niedermenniger Sonnenberg, Krettnacher Altenberg, and Krettnacher Euchariusberg, home to some of their oldest vines. Across their holdings, the vines average 40 to 50-years-old at minimum, including ancient, ungrafted vines that are nearly a century old. Harvest is done by hand on these iron-rich slate and quartz soils.
Their cellar is truly cave-like, with cool, stone walls rich in mold that naturally regulates humidity and the ambient yeasts that ferment the wines in their old oak casks. The rigorously sorted grapes and juice are handled gently via gravity and pneumatic presses (no pumping). Nothing is added to the wines other than small amounts of sulfur during fermentation. The wines age in old fuder casks that were crafted by family and neighbors from local oak. They bottle by fuder, often corresponding to an individual parcel, so you’ll notice prominently displayed AP numbers and some parcel names on the labels.
Erich focuses on dry, or “trocken”, wines whereas Johannes is more inclined to crafting the off-dry to sweet wines. According to importer Lars Carlberg, Falkenstein is one of the few Saar producers that bottles completely dry Rieslings. The region’s cool weather would result in wines too ascorbic and austere to be drinkable. Erich avoids such issues because of the great age of their vines and their low yields, which allow for concentration and the ripe and exotic fruit profiles that beautifully offset the brisk acidity.
The biggest argument that you’ll get from our staff is not whether you should buy the wines from Falkenstein (if you don’t, we will), but whether to focus on dry or sweet wines. In the dry’s corner, we have lush minerality, cut, and poise. In the sweet’s corner, you can experience gorgeous textures, impeccable balance, and near-infinite cellaring capabilities. Your choice, though it’s certainly worth trying both. (If you open the wines young, you may notice a slight spritz due to the residual, naturally-present carbon dioxide left over from fermentation that also helps preserve the wines.)
This is the largest allocation we’ve ever been able to acquire, which means we actually have enough to share. Our first tranche sold out in a week to the regular buyers, so this allocation is for those who have not yet discovered the incomparable beauty and value of these wines. We’ve said before that these prices are criminally low, partly due to the winemakers themselves, but also because these wines are not widely known. Now is an excellent time to stock your cellar and table with one of the finest producers tucked in a little-known corner of the Mosel. You’ll be glad you did.
The Webers personally work their vines by hand using organic methods, deviating only by avoiding the use of copper, as it is a toxic heavy metal. They do not use herbicides or fertilizers and avoid tilling for the most part. Yields are kept very low, naturally due to the vines’ ages and through pruning down to one flat cane per vine.
Some of their prize vineyard holdings include Niedermenniger Herrenberg, from which they source their Pinot Noir for their Spätburguner rosé and the Weissburgunder for their extraordinary Pet-Nat, Niedermenniger Sonnenberg, Krettnacher Altenberg, and Krettnacher Euchariusberg, home to some of their oldest vines. Across their holdings, the vines average 40 to 50-years-old at minimum, including ancient, ungrafted vines that are nearly a century old. Harvest is done by hand on these iron-rich slate and quartz soils.
Their cellar is truly cave-like, with cool, stone walls rich in mold that naturally regulates humidity and the ambient yeasts that ferment the wines in their old oak casks. The rigorously sorted grapes and juice are handled gently via gravity and pneumatic presses (no pumping). Nothing is added to the wines other than small amounts of sulfur during fermentation. The wines age in old fuder casks that were crafted by family and neighbors from local oak. They bottle by fuder, often corresponding to an individual parcel, so you’ll notice prominently displayed AP numbers and some parcel names on the labels.
Erich focuses on dry, or “trocken”, wines whereas Johannes is more inclined to crafting the off-dry to sweet wines. According to importer Lars Carlberg, Falkenstein is one of the few Saar producers that bottles completely dry Rieslings. The region’s cool weather would result in wines too ascorbic and austere to be drinkable. Erich avoids such issues because of the great age of their vines and their low yields, which allow for concentration and the ripe and exotic fruit profiles that beautifully offset the brisk acidity.
The biggest argument that you’ll get from our staff is not whether you should buy the wines from Falkenstein (if you don’t, we will), but whether to focus on dry or sweet wines. In the dry’s corner, we have lush minerality, cut, and poise. In the sweet’s corner, you can experience gorgeous textures, impeccable balance, and near-infinite cellaring capabilities. Your choice, though it’s certainly worth trying both. (If you open the wines young, you may notice a slight spritz due to the residual, naturally-present carbon dioxide left over from fermentation that also helps preserve the wines.)
This is the largest allocation we’ve ever been able to acquire, which means we actually have enough to share. Our first tranche sold out in a week to the regular buyers, so this allocation is for those who have not yet discovered the incomparable beauty and value of these wines. We’ve said before that these prices are criminally low, partly due to the winemakers themselves, but also because these wines are not widely known. Now is an excellent time to stock your cellar and table with one of the finest producers tucked in a little-known corner of the Mosel. You’ll be glad you did.
5% off any 4-7 in-stock bottles of Falkenstein
10% off any 8 or more in-stock bottles of Falkenstein
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, January 21st at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 8 or more in-stock bottles of Falkenstein
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, January 21st at 9 am Pacific.
We offer ten Falkenstein options on sale now, including:
Hofgut Falkenstein Pet-Nat 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 25 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The Non-Vintage Pet Nat with Los Nr. 26-24 comes from Weissburgunder harvested in 2023 in the Niedermenniger Herrenberg and was fermented in cask before completing its fermentation in bottle and being released without disgorgement. This offers a superb nose made of herbs, minerals, and a hint of spices, all wrapped in citrusy fruits. The wine is firmly fizzy on the palate and leaves an incredibly focused and sharp feel in the finish. The aftertaste is pure and vibrating. This is made for lovers of racy expressions of Pet Nat! Now-2028.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
100% Pinot Noir
Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermennig Herrenberg Rosé Trocken 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 88 points “AP: 23 24. The 2023er Niedermenniger Herrenberg Rosé Trocken is made with Spätburgunder. The wine offers a subtle nose of raspberry, barbecue herbs, chalk, and white flowers. It is rather sharp and precise on the palate and leaves a pure and precise feel of minerals, raspberry, and cranberry in the finish. 2025-2026.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Auf dem Hölzchen Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “AP: 21 24. The 2023er Krettnacher Auf dem Hölzchen Riesling Kabinett Trocken comes from 50-60-year-old vines above the Ober Schäfershaus. It offers a beautiful nose made of lemon zest, mint, green apple, smoke, and fine herbs. The wine proves beautifully zesty and lively on the palate and leaves a superb feel of fruits and even a touch of creaminess in the lively finish. This is a gorgeous expression of racy dry Kabinett. 2028-2038.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Sonnenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken “Munny” AP #9 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “AP: 09 24. The 2023er Niedermenniger Sonnenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken Munny (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) comes from 60-70-year-old vines in the Lieux-Dit Unter den Röderchen. It offers a superb nose made of ginger, citrusy fruits, earthy spices, and smoke. The wine proves spicy, focused, and quite racy but with ripe acidity. The finish is long and very focused. This has the cut of Falkenstein with great elegance. 2028-2038.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Alte Reben Riesling Kabinett “Gisela” AP #8 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “AP: 08 24. The 2023er Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben Gisela (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) was harvested in a parcel still planted with 70-80-year-old un-grafted vines in the prime Gross Schock sector of the vineyard, which was classified in the highest category on the old taxation maps, and was fermented down to barely fruity-styled levels of residual sugar. This offers a stunningly bright nose made of white peach, herbs, bergamot, chalk, white flowers, and slate. The wine is just incredibly juicy and stunningly racy yet deep and intense on the palate and leaves a jaw-dropping feel of fresh herbs, minerals, mirabelle, and lemon. The aftertaste is pure mouthwatering intensity and precision. 2033-2043.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54.99
The next best price is $54.99
Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Altenberg Riesling Spätlese Trocken AP #7 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “AP: 07 24. The 2023er Krettnacher Altenberg Riesling Spätlese Trocken comes from 50-60-year-old vines in the Enkers part of the vineyard. It offers a beautiful and superbly finely chiseled nose of mirabelle, greengage, smoke, and citrusy elements. The wine is superbly light-footed yet packed with flavors on the zesty palate. It leaves a great sense of minerals and subtle fruits in the long finish. The balance is racy but still beautifully engaging and juicy. 2028-2038.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Ober Schäfershaus Riesling Spätlese Trocken AP #18 2023 750ml Was $39, Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 28 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “(Falkenstein Krettnacher Ober Schäfershaus Riesling Spätlese Trocken) AP: 18 24. The 2023er Krettnacher Ober Schäfershaus Riesling Spätlese Trocken comes 60-year-old vines planted in the similarly name Lieu-Dit in the Altenberg vineyard underpinned by Diabas elements. It offers a superb nose of greengage, bergamot, smoke, wet stone, and grapefruit zest sorbet. The wine is racy but beautifully playful on the bone-dry tasting palate and leaves a superbly feel of menthol in the long finish. 2033-2048.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $46.99
Shop our ten selections now from Falkenstein!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Peter William
5% off any 4-7 in-stock bottles of Peter William
10% off any 8 or more in-stock bottles of Peter William
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Peter William sale ends Saturday, January 18th at 9 am Pacific.