2023 Donnhoff - Oberhauser Leistenberg Kabinett (750ml)

“Barrel X” is winemaker Florian Lauer’s Platonic ideal of what a slightly off-dry (feinherb) Saar Riesling should be. If we were in Burgundy, this would be the equivalent of a “Bourgogne Blanc.” As an appellation-level wine, it is sourced from multiple vineyards in four different villages of the Saar: Ayl (Lauer’s home village), Saarburg, Wawern and Wiltingen. Florian says, “From Ayl and Wawern, the wine gains the fruit and power, from Saarburg the racy acidity, and from Wiltingen, the spice.”

Regardless of what comes from where, this much is certain: dollar for dollar, I’m not sure there is a 750ml bottle that delivers as much joy and zing. This is the gateway drug to Lauer, to the Saar, to Riesling… be careful. Very addictive.

TREJ is Barbera, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto in equal parts.

The brothers Luigi and Alfredo Grasso started in the vineyard in 1970 and continue to actively cultivate 14 hectares. The Grasso Fratelli farm is located in Valgrande in the municipality of Treiso, in the heart of the Langhe, a typical area known for the cultivation of the vines from which the best and prestigious Piedmontese wines are born. In this area, nowadays very popular also for its splendid nature, the Nebbiolo grape variety from which Barbaresco wine originates is cultivated with particular care.

-Importer notes