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Hermann Ludes Sale
Close-Out Featurette: German TBAs
Stock Up & Save On:
Hermann Ludes
Hermann Ludes Sale
Close-Out Featurette: German TBAs
Stock Up & Save On:
Hermann Ludes
Tucked in the upper Mosel, north of the more famous Mittelmosel, is the village of Thörnich. Wines here have a more Saar-like profile with structured, tense wines. Here, the Ludes family have crafted wines in the same style since Hermann founded in the estate in the 1950s. In the Grand Cru vineyard, Ritsch, the family crafts wines uninfluenced by modern preferences for ripe and plush wines. Instead, the wines are, as importer Stephen Bitterolf of Vom Boden puts it, “rustic, transparent, bracing – even a touch brutal” that speak in a “faceted, crystalline and largely mineral-and-earth driven language.”
They bottle by parcel and most of their holdings are old, ungrafted parcels. Vines here average 75-years-old. The estate rarely crafts much above Kabinett, preferring its style (“the greatest on earth,” per third generation winemaker Julian Ludes). But that doesn’t mean the wines lack substance and complexity. Their standards are almost ridiculously high. In vintages where they don’t like the resulting wines, they sell them off in bulk in their entirety rather than compromise their name for profit.
How can these wines remain so affordable to us consumers? The estate must exist out of time, and our intrepid importers must have stumbled across it like as though they wandered into Brigadoon. And just as these wines themselves seem to be from another age, give them a nice sleep in your cellar if you can. Let them dream their dreams of decades past and they’ll reward you with a vision in your future.
They bottle by parcel and most of their holdings are old, ungrafted parcels. Vines here average 75-years-old. The estate rarely crafts much above Kabinett, preferring its style (“the greatest on earth,” per third generation winemaker Julian Ludes). But that doesn’t mean the wines lack substance and complexity. Their standards are almost ridiculously high. In vintages where they don’t like the resulting wines, they sell them off in bulk in their entirety rather than compromise their name for profit.
How can these wines remain so affordable to us consumers? The estate must exist out of time, and our intrepid importers must have stumbled across it like as though they wandered into Brigadoon. And just as these wines themselves seem to be from another age, give them a nice sleep in your cellar if you can. Let them dream their dreams of decades past and they’ll reward you with a vision in your future.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Hermann Ludes
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Hermann Ludes
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, July 11th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Hermann Ludes
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, July 11th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer eight in-stock Hermann Ludes options on sale now, including:
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Hermann Ludes Riesling, Mosel 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $18, that’s $17.10 at 5% off and $16.20 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
“The 2023 Mosel, as it is simply referred to on the consumer label, is an off-dry wine (with 20 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit harvested in the Thörnicher Schiesslay. It offers a subtly reduced nose made of wet stone, melon, greengage, white flowers, and whipped cream. The wine is smooth and round on the palate and leaves a subtly tart and almost fruity-styled feel in the medium-long finish. Now-2028.” -Mosel Fine Wines
Importer Note “New wine in 2022! From alluvial terroir in the flatlands across the river from the Ritsch in the Thörnicher Schiesslay. The most off-dry of the entry wines and in the words of Julian Ludes, the quintessential “breakfast wine” with 20g RS.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett Feinherb ‘Gackes Oben’ 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “The 2022er Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett Feinherb “Gackes Oben” was made from fruit harvested at 77° Oechsle on 70-75-year-old vines in the upper front part of the vineyard and was fermented down to off-dry levels of residual sugar (17 g/l). The nose immediately captures one’s attention as it offers plenty of refreshing and airy elements of anise, minty herbs, spearmint, candied citrusy elements, orange blossom, and aniseed, all wrapped in a blanket of fine slatey smoke. The wine is vibrant on the palate as plenty of spicy and zesty flavors, which give it a superbly dynamic and focused edge. The finish is chiseled, focused, and superbly long. The aftertaste is marked by smoke, lime, and ginger-driven spices, and above all shows huge energy. This is a splendid dry-tasting and racy wine, made for lovers of straightforward and sharp Riesling. It only needs a few years to round off its edges. 2026-2037”
Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett Feinherb ‘Gackes Unten’ 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2022er Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett Feinherb ‘Gackes Unten’ was made from fruit harvested at 81° Oechsle on largely un-grafted old vines in the middle front part of the vineyard part of the vineyard and was fermented down to off-dry levels of residual sugar (22 g/l). The nose is initially very closed, with only residues from its spontaneous fermentation, giving a very smoky and herbaceous aspect. It takes a few minutes in the glass for it to show its complexity, with notes of cassis, wild strawberry, candied grapefruit, fine spices, aniseed herbs, and fresh herbs. The wine has superb balance on the palate, with finesse but also intensity and grip. The finish is very long, chiseled, and refreshing. What a gloriously light yet deep expression of dry-tasting Kabinett! 2025-2037”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett Feinherb ‘Gackes Unten’ 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “This is simply a superlative wine — the only benchmarks we can think of are Stein’s Himmelreich and those of Hofgut Falkenstein. The nose is outrageously stoney, again that salty slatey note similar to the village-level Thörnich. This is a perplexing wine, with so much mineral and citrus and spice, yet also just a profoundly refreshing and clean cream note, though not at all malic or heavy feeling. So much fresh garden-greenness, a floral citrus-cream quality, yet an invigorating, crystalline and angelic-feeling delicacy. Superb.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett Feinherb ‘Monster’ 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “First – how awesome to see another “Kabinett Feinherb.” What can we say; we love the genre. This is the magic of Ludes: a finely knit tapestry of flowers, minerals, spice. The wine is angelic, light-footed, soaring, nearly illuminated – the laws of gravity do not apply. This is spirit as much as liquid.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Kabinett Terrassen 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2023er Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett “Terrassen” was made from fruit harvested at 83° Oechsle in the terraced part on 75-80-year-old vines in the central part of the vineyard and was fermented down to barely fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (32 g/l). It offers a rather backward nose made of wet stone, minerals, quince, starfruit, ginger, mint, whipped cream, and smoky elements. The wine proves rather juicy with a tad more creaminess than usual but still the same delightful light-footed intensity on the palate that has made the success of the Estate. The finish is still somewhat reduced but hugely promising. This wine really is best left alone for 10 years to give it a chance to reveal its flavors and balance. 2033-2043.”
Importer Note “From the terraced central part of the Ritsch, this is an extraordinarily young Kabinett that has a long, lovely road ahead of it. The most classically styled wine of the group, and still drier than many Kabinetts. This is fascinating — it does seem riper and wider on the palate — yet remains so buoyant and fresh. 32g of residual sugar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Kabinett t- “Im Schneidersberg” 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “The 2022er Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Kabinett -t- “Im Schneidersberg” was made from fruit harvested at 78° Oechsle on 80-85-year-old vines in this prime Lieu-Dit and was fermented down to off-dry levels of residual sugar (15 g/l). The nose is captivating from the start, with hints of bacon smoke, residual spontaneous fermentation, and lots of fine spices. Then come aromas of vineyard peach, dried white flowers, gunflint, lime, grapefruit, and gooseberry. The wine comes over as straightforward and lean on the palate, with dynamism provided by some salivating acidity. The finish is taut, long, and tart, and clearly still austere. It will need a few years to soften. This lively, airy, and racy dry wine is remarkable, and will appeal to fans of this style. 2025-2035+”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Spätlese “Speyer” 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2023er Thörnicher Ritsch Riesling Spätlese “Speyer” was made from 10%-botrytized fruit picked at 93° Oechsle in this prime south-facing sector in the central part of the vineyard and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (70 g/l). It offers a subtly exotic nose made of apricot blossom, a hint of coconut and pineapple, minty and creamy elements, wet stone, and smoke. The wine develops the juicy balance of a drinking Auslese on the palate with, in addition, a touch of exotic flair to add to the experience. The finish is beautifully balanced and nicely vibrating. This will appeal to lovers of exotic yet racy expressions of Spätlese. 2033-2048.”
Importer Note “This is an old-school Spätlesen, with a brisk and polished mid-palate of high-toned citrus and stone fruit, a vivid and perfumed florality and such great minerality. This is an energetic, lifted, curvy and structured wine you can drink with a main course. This is a Spätlese for people who always say, ‘I don’t really drink Spätlese.’ You might well now.”
Trockenbeerenauslese (typically shortened to TBA) is one of the world’s rarest styles of wines. The grapes are harvested exceedingly late in the season, when the berries are shriveled into raisins. This is due to the desiccating effects of botrytis, a noble fungus that punctures microscopic holes into the delicate skins of the berries. While the botrytis helps evaporate the juice, it results in a concentration of the naturally present sugars. The results are decadently sweetly, rare, and delicious. Shop our two picks on our Close-Out Sale now!
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Despite the fame and renown of the estate inside Germany, Emrich-Schonleber flies under the radar in the USA. These are spectacular wines—every bit the equal of Dönnhoff, their main competition in the Nahe. Halenberg is as you’d dream for the Nahe: a mixture of blue slate (like the Mosel) and quartz.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Nahe 2018 375ml Was $299, Now $249, 14 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2018 Halenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese is incredibly pure and aromatic on the nose where super ripe but clear peach aromas are displayed. Extremely rich and refined on the palate, this is a ripe, terribly sweet but refined, fresh and salty-piquant TBA with a stimulating finish. A fabulous wine. Tasted in July 2019.”
Karlsmühle is nestled in the Ruwer, formerly known as Mosel-Saar-Ruwer. It is one of the most unique of the Mosel sub-regions and tiny, making up only 2% of the Mosel’s vineyard land. Steep slopes rich in slate soil surround the small feeder streams of the Ruwer, representing some of the finest vineyard land in the region.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Karlsmuhle Lorenzhofer Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel 2007 375ml Was $119, Now $99, 21 half-bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93+ points “…Dried peach, apricot, and date mingle with quince preserves, licorice and further suggestions of herbal concentrate both on the nose and palate. While impressively viscous, this preserves a welcome lightness of touch and vivacity illustrative of the best aspects of the vintage, and its residual sugar is remarkably restrained in expression…”
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Despite the fame and renown of the estate inside Germany, Emrich-Schonleber flies under the radar in the USA. These are spectacular wines—every bit the equal of Dönnhoff, their main competition in the Nahe. Halenberg is as you’d dream for the Nahe: a mixture of blue slate (like the Mosel) and quartz.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Nahe 2018 375ml Was $299, Now $249, 14 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2018 Halenberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese is incredibly pure and aromatic on the nose where super ripe but clear peach aromas are displayed. Extremely rich and refined on the palate, this is a ripe, terribly sweet but refined, fresh and salty-piquant TBA with a stimulating finish. A fabulous wine. Tasted in July 2019.”
Karlsmühle is nestled in the Ruwer, formerly known as Mosel-Saar-Ruwer. It is one of the most unique of the Mosel sub-regions and tiny, making up only 2% of the Mosel’s vineyard land. Steep slopes rich in slate soil surround the small feeder streams of the Ruwer, representing some of the finest vineyard land in the region.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Karlsmuhle Lorenzhofer Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel 2007 375ml Was $119, Now $99, 21 half-bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93+ points “…Dried peach, apricot, and date mingle with quince preserves, licorice and further suggestions of herbal concentrate both on the nose and palate. While impressively viscous, this preserves a welcome lightness of touch and vivacity illustrative of the best aspects of the vintage, and its residual sugar is remarkably restrained in expression…”
We offer 74 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
GD Vajra Barolo
5% off any 3-8 in-stock bottles of GD Vajra Barolo
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of GD Vajra Barolo
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
GD Vajra Barolo sale ends Wednesday, July 8th at 9 am Pacific.