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Schafer-Frohlich, Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Spätlese, 2005

White Wine from Nahe, Germany
$79.99
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles
Mature German Riesling with real pedigree is harder to find than it should be, and this 2005 Spätlese comes from the vineyard where Schäfer-Fröhlich's whole story starts. The estate says everything began with the Bockenauer Felseneck. Before Tim Fröhlich, who made his first vintage in 1995, it was a virtually unknown site, and it became one of his most prized holdings. It's a steep, rocky bowl in the Ellerbach, a side valley of the upper Nahe. The slopes face due south between 250 and 310 metres, on Upper Rotliegend soils shot through with blue Devonian slate, white-grey quartzite and basalt scree. The name translates roughly as "rock corner," and the estate sums up the site's signature as finesse and layered slate minerality. This bottle was made ten years into Fröhlich's tenure, in the off-dry Spätlese style that German Riesling has always aged so well in. With two decades behind it, it's a chance to taste what time does to a Nahe grand cru, and nobody had to cellar it for you.

Shipping

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  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
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  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

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Antonio Galloni

91 points

"Pale golden yellow with a greenish hue. Subtle aromas of melon, pineapple and sweet lime.The silky-sweet fruit and pure mineral salts unfold with an almost sensuous tactility. Nicely balanced, elegant finish." —Joel B. Payne

Wine Spectator

93 points

"A terrific spätlese, with a kaleidoscope of berry, lime, sweet corn and mineral aromas and flavors that mingle with the elegant yet firm structure. This is refined, with harmony and a lingering citrus and mineral aftertaste. Drink now through 2020."

Wine Enthusiast

90 points

"Pleasantly plump and custardy in texture, this complex, mouthfilling wine offers a whirl of aromas and flavors, ranging from fresh asphalt to lime custard and green apple. By the finish, any objectionable notes have vanished, leaving a clean, lingering finish beaming with elegance. Consider decanting if drinking in the near future, or simply hold 3–5 years before sampling." —Joe Czerwinski

More about Schafer-Frohlich

For a long time, Tim Fröhlich's name has been synonymous with quality Riesling from the Nahe. These wines are as exceptional as they are exciting. While what's being made is undeniably a most classical expression of what Riesling can and should be, Schäfer-Fröhlich's wines are made naturally from spontaneous fermentation, by people who care about wines that express the mineral character of their terroir, people who care about dry Riesling... all forward-thinking ideas. Tim Fröhlich's wines are not only special as a result of his winemaking prowess, but also for the terroir he has inherited. The estate's holdings include vineyards of volcanic soil (pretty rare for Germany), as well as the much-prized Blue Devonian slate that characterizes the soil in GG vineyards throughout Germany. Again, the magic of this producer comes from having one foot in tradition while stepping forward with his eye toward what might excite people next.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Riesling

  • Vintage

    2005

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

  • Style

    Crisp

  • Sweetness

    Off-Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast pork belly with caramelized apples; Thai larb or green papaya salad; Peking duck with hoisin; smoked trout with horseradish cream; Alsatian choucroute garnie; aged Comté.

Tasting Profile

Expect the classic off-dry Nahe Spätlese profile: ripe peach, apricot and citrus, a smoky, stony slate minerality and a gentle sweetness balanced by vivid acidity. With bottle age, wines in this style typically take on honeyed, petrol-tinged notes and a silkier, medium-bodied texture, finishing long and mouthwatering rather than cloying.

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WINE GUIDES

German Wines

Is there a better grape than Riesling? Is there a better value? Its fruit purity, its perfume, and its mineral nuance are all unparalleled. And for centuries, the top German Rieslings were priced accordingly: at least as expensive as the top red wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy. But nowadays you could spend a lifetime exploring Germany’s great Riesling-producing regions while staying well within your budget. You might take an occasional break to try Germany’s other white grapes or perhaps a glass of Spätburgunder (the local name for Pinot Noir). It’s time to get started!

Learn more about German Wines