Press Notes

Wine Spectator April 2010:

2008 Kanzel Riesling Großes Gewächs - 92 points

Refined and sleek, yet also dense and concentrated, showing apple, lemon verbena, quince and chalk notes, all defined by bracing structure. The finish is long and resonant. Best from 2012 through 2020. 120 cases made. –BS

Wine Spectator April 2010:

2008 Michelsberg Riesling Großes Gewächs - 91 points

A waxy, almost lactic note and apple and citrus flavors highlight this creamy, dry white. On the austere side, yet with a firm, chalky mineral finish. Needs time to mellow. Best from 2012 through 2019. 120 cases made. –BS

Wine Spectator April 2010 (web only):

2008 Ungsteiner Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese - 90 points

This vibrant white delivers peach, apple and quince flavors. It's creamy, a nice foil for the bright acidity and well-integrated. Fine length, too. Drink now through 2019. 150 cases made. –BS

Wine Spectator Februar 2010:

2009 Dürkheimer Rittergarten Riesling Kabinett trocken - 90 points

This shows beautiful purity and definition to its peach, apricot and floral aromas and flavors, all in a harmonious, dry profile. Fine length. Drink now through 2016. 300 cases made. –BS

November 2008:

2007 Fitz-Ritter Gewürztraminer in the November 2008 issue of “O - the Oprah Magazine”

"If you plan to serve just one wine with Thanksgiving dinner, Duncan recommends a Gewürztraminer, such as Germany's 2007 Fitz-Ritter Spätlese. It's fantastic for navigating a table with so many sweet and savory flavors, says Duncan. It's jam-packed with juicy, bright fruit and balanced with minerals and a vibrand acidity, making it a winner with many different foods."

January 22, 2006:

Report on the VDP Pfalz Grosses Gewächs Tour in Berlin:

"For me this (Fitz-Ritter) was the "discovery" of the whole tasting. – a totally underrated Winery which is going to soar. Watch it!"

2004 Fitz-Ritter Ungstein Kanzel , "complex Riesling with character, minerals"

January 25, 2006:

"The sweet, hidden charms of Riesling: Germany 's great white may be confusing — but it's an underappreciated treat," says MSN/NBC Jon Bonné. Fitz-Ritter 2002 Spätlese Ungsteiner Herrenberg (Winesellers Ltd.):"This standout hails from the Pfalz, Germany’s warmest Riesling region …. Big classic petrol notes, with peach, lemon and a creamy texture wrapped around a stiff mineral backbone. That Pfalz richness stands out amid honey scents, and finishes with an aromatic punch. A wine in perfect balance."

December 13, 2005:

Jon Bonné, MSN/NBC put Fitz-Ritter Gewürztraminer not only in his column, but also on his top ten most coveted wines.

"Every wine lover has a few bottles they dream about. Wines they lovingly gaze at in the wine shop as it sits locked inside the collectibles case, like that perfect diamond solitaire. Wines they're always quietly hunting online, one alt-tab away from the spreadsheet they're supposed to be working on. …….here's my top 10 most coveted wines of the year …. the ones I would spend endless hours to track down – and occasionally have."

8) Fitz Ritter 2003 Gewürztraminer Spätlese Pfalz (Winesellers Ltd.): "Gorgeous, delicate German Gewürz."

Gault Millau WeinGuide Germany 2006:

"Last year we were surprised – and now the remarkable improvements in this traditional winery have continued with verve. Several ... such as the sweet noble wines and the Grosses Gewächs, are downright brilliant."

Our 2005 reviews in

Fitz-Ritter 2003 Dürkheimer Michelsberg Riesling Qualitätswein Trocken:

90 POINTS; Lovely aromas of mineral and apricot, followed by more of the same and a citrus and spice component. Well integrated and focused, with a fine finish Drink now through 2009. 170 cases made. -- B.S.

Fitz-Ritter 2003 Dürkheimer Abtsfronhof Riesling Spätlese Halbtrocken:

89 POINTS; A combination of cream, vanilla custard and mineral flavors mark this firm, off-dry white. It's balanced and juicy, with a mineral-tinged aftertaste. -- B.S.

Fitz-Ritter 2002 Dürkheimer Hochbenn Riesling Kabinett:

88 POINTS; Ripe and soft, this tropical fruit - citrus infused Riesling offers immediate pleasure in a medium-bodied frame.”

November 30, 2004:

Our reviews in the December 15th, 2004 issue of:

Fitz-Ritter 2003 Gewürztraminer Spätlese:

$18. 88 POINTS; Nice Gewurz, for those consumers looking for something outside of Alsace. Exaggerated floral aromas are typical, so are the lychee and spice flavors. There's a modest sweetness to this wine, so it should work well with spicy Asian foods.

Fitz-Ritter 2003 Dürkheimer Abtsfronhof Riesling Spätlese Halbtrocken:

$18. 87 POINTS; For a halbtrocken, this is pretty darn dry. Grapefruit and green apple aromas give way to flavors of wet stone and lime, finishing tart and stony. There's just enough fruit to balance the elevated acids and low residual sugar. Probably best with seafood.

September 21, 2004:

2003 Dürkheimer Michelsberg Riesling Spätlese Grosses Gewächs

received the hightes possible award of five stars in the competition "International top wines of the 2003 vintage" from the gourmet publication:

Only three dry white wines from the Pfalz region were presented this top award. A total of 1,400 wines were submitted. The results of the competition will be published in the winter/christmas issue on November 5, 2004.