Given the southerly location of Franken (Franconia), the hot vintage, and the mixed showing of the 2018 Silvaner GG’s from here, one would expect disappointing Riesling GG’s, too. But in fact, that was not the case. These producers by and large came through the vintage very successfully.
BÜRGERSPITAL ZUM HEILIGEN GEIST
2018 (Würzburg) Stein-Hagemann Riesling GG
Mineral, medium-weight, crystalline, white fruits. 92/A
2018 (Würzburg) Stein-Harfe Riesling GG
Flinty, floral nose. Incipient peach and apricot in mouth, medium-weight, elegant. 92/A
Michael FRÖHLICH
2018 (Escherndorf) Am Lumpen 1655
Fruity, broad, good acidity for vintage. Mostly yellow fruits. 91/A-
Rudolf FÜRST
2018 (Bürgstadt) Centgrafenberg Riesling GG
Pear aromas. Lemony, medium-weight, some acidity in attack. 90/B+
Johan RUCK
2018 (Iphofen) Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling GG
Round, intense, lacking some definition. Good acidity and freshness. 91/A-
Horst SAUER
2018 (Escherndorf) Am Lumpen 1655 Riesling GG
Floral but not well-defined aromas. Yellow and white peach fruit, medium-full, chewy, round. 92/A
Rainer SAUER
2018 (Escherdorf) Am Lumpen 1655 Riesling GG
Elegant peach blossom nose. Medium-light, intense, white and yellow peach. Good length. 93/A
SCHMITT’S KINDER
2018 (Randersacker) Pfülben Riesling GG
Lemony flavors, medium-light, good acidity. 92/A
Zur SCHWANE
2018 (Escherndorf) Am Lumpen 1655
Orange, medium-weight, a bit wiry. Not strong in scharacter, though. 90/B+
STAATLICHE HOFKELLER WÜRZBURG
2018 (Randersacker) Pfülben Riesling GG
White and yellow peach, medium-weight, sensual, clear. 92/A
2018 (Würzburg) Stein Riesling GG
Good acidity, structure, freshness; some minerality and citric, but lacking the definition of a still better wine. 90/B+
Am STEIN/Ludwig KNOLL
2018 (Stetten) Stein Riesling GG
White peach nose. White peach, round, mineral, medium-weight, complete. 93/A
WELTNER
2018 (Rödelsee) Küchenmeister “Hoheleite” Riesling GG
Clear, white fruits, medium-weight some power. 91/A-
ZEHNTHOF-LUCKERT
2018 (Sulzfeld) Maustal Riesling GG
Smoky, mineral nose. Medium-light, touch of orange blossom, good length, nice finesse. 92/A