Robert Parker´s Wine Advovcate

2020 Weingut Thörle • Saulheimer Probstey Spätburgunder

Rating (93 – 94), Drink Date 2022 - 2045

From clayey marl, limestone and sandy soils of a south-facing, gently rising vineyard, the 2020 Saulheimer Probstey Spätburgunder opens with a deep, intense and spicy as well as refined and beautifully pure bouquet of dark fruits that are well interwoven with toasty and saline nuances. The generosity of the nose is reflected on the palate, which is full-bodied, rich and lush. This is a very elegant and refined Pinot Noir with fine, mineral acidity intermingled with delicate, crunchy tannins. The finish is long and intense, finely saline and beautifully balanced. Next to the Sylvaner, this is another top wine from this less-well-known cru. Tasted as a sample shortly before bottling in August 2022. Bone dry. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Release date: September 2022.

 

2020 Weingut Thörle • Saulheimer Hölle Spätburgunder

Rating (92 – 93), Drink Date 2023 - 2040

From vines up to 44 years old, the 2020 Saulheimer Hölle Spätburgunder opens with a deep, intense and darker-toned bouquet of black berries, blackcurrant, black cherries and very fine toast and also saline notes. Aged for 18 months in 40% new and 60% used French barriques, this is a full-bodied, intense and silky-textured Pinot with fine tannins and crystalline acidity. The finish is warm, intense and fruity yet still firm and straight, leaving the palate with salivating tannins and fine bitters. A promising, very good Pinot Noir indeed. Tasted as a sample just before bottling in August 2022. 13% alcohol. Natural cork. Release date: 1 September.

 

2020 Weingut Thörle • Saulheimer Spätburgunder Kalkstein

Rating 89, Drink Date 2023 – 2030

Tasted as a sample, the 2020 Saulheimer Spätburgunder Kalkstein opens with a pure, elegant and coolish bouquet of ripe cherries, black berries and fine toast aromas. Fermented with natural yeasts for 2.5 weeks and aged for 17 months in French barriques (of which 25% were new), this is a medium-bodied, straight, fresh and finely astringent but juicy Pinot with sour cherry aromas and remarkable freshness and acidity inclusive (6.1 grams per liter). Bone dry. 13% stated alcohol. This is to be bottled in early August 2022, with a release date of September 1st.

 

2021 Weingut Thörle • Saulheimer Schlossberg Riesling

Rating 92, Drink Date 2022-2040

The 2021 Saulheimer Schlossberg Riesling opens with a deep, intense yet still restrained and coolish but promising, very elegant and finely iodine nose. From a west-facing site ranging from 170 to 235 meters above sea level, the soil is characterized by deep, rich clay and limestone marl soils with iron oxides, which warm up slowly but can store heat (and water) excellently. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, very elegant, dense and complex, pure and sustainably saline Riesling that is still only indicating its potential. The 2021 has great grip and tension without weighing too much. This is a classic based on late harvested, selected grapes (end of October) that were lightly crushed and left on the skins overnight. The must was vinified in 30% traditional halbstücks of 600 liters and 70% in stainless steel tanks and bottled in July 2022 after eight months on the full lees. To be released in September this year. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in August 2022.

 

2021 Weingut Thörle • Saulheimer Hölle Riesling

Rating 92, Drink Date 2025 – 2040

The 2021 Saulheimer Hölle Riesling opens with the purest/stoniest but also the most aromatic bouquet of Thörle's Rieslings. On the palate, this is a full-bodied yet pure, enormously vital and fresh, mouth-tickling dry Riesling with a dense structure and a long, mineral finish that is still a bit drying at this early stage. This is a characterful dry Riesling with an almost austere personality. It's not a wine for hedonists but possibly one for lovers of the art of Jordan Wolfson or reductive Champagnes that didn't undergo malolactic fermentation. The Hölle vineyards are located at 150 to 220 meters above sea level on the southern slope of a long valley. "This location is constantly very hot, as the surrounding hill ranges prevent the heated air from being carried away by the wind," explains Johannes Thörle. After a very late, selective harvest in late October last year, the berries were lightly crushed and left in the skins for about 12 hours, then 50% of the must was fermented in traditional wooden barrels and 50% in stainless steel tanks (natural yeasts), and then the wine aged on the full lees for eight months. Bottled in July this year with 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in August 2022. To be released in September.

 

2021 Weingut Thörle • Saulheim Riesling Kalkstein

Rating 89, Drink Date 2022 - 2032

Based on the macerated fruits from younger vines in the calcareous crus of Hölle, Schlossberg and Probstey, Thörle's 2021 Saulheim Riesling Kalkstein offers a clear, bright and refreshing bouquet of white fruits, lemons, crushed stones and salt. Vinified in traditional stücks and in stainless steel and bottled in June this year after seven months on the lees, this is a straight and filigreed but also intense and well-concentrated Riesling with good phenolic grip, mineral drive and an overall tonic character. The 2021 has a lovely sur lie texture and slowly starts showing off. Stimulating bitters on the aftertaste. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in August 2022.

 

2021 Weingut Thörle • Saulheimer Probstey Silvaner

Rating (91-92), Drink Date 2022 – 2037

The 2021 Saulheimer Probstey Silvaner opens with a clear and fascinating, deep, intense and complex, very elegant and balanced bouquet with notes of white fruits, bouquet garni and finessed oak notes. Round, lush and fresh on the palate, this is a vivacious and mouth-filling, rich and elegant Sylvaner with fine salinity and substantial character. Based on the small, aromatic berries of old vines rooting in a terroir of clayey marl, limestone and sand, this is an impressive white wine with serious substance, expression and terroir character. The grapes were crushed and macerated for 12 hours before the must fermented with indigenous yeasts in traditional stücks (1,200 liters) for 10 months without racking. Tasted as a sample in August 2022. To be released in September this year. This is a great gastronomic wine that matches everything Chablis could have done too. 12.5% stated alcohol.

 

2021 Weingut Thörle • Saulheim Kalk & Kreide

Rating 88-89, Drink Date 2022 - 2030

Thörle's 2021 Saulheim Kalk & Kreide is a blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Blanc (a.k.a. Weissburgunder) vinified in tonneaux (80%) and stück (20%) for 10 months without racking. The sample I tasted in August, just two weeks prior to the wine's release, showed a clear, bright and intense bouquet of ripe apples and lemons intertwined with crystalline notes of crushed stones, brioche and refreshing green paprika notes. Elegant, lean and fresh on the palate, this is a medium-bodied, stimulating and tart-finishing Burgundy blend with Teutonic fruit expression in the reductive style. It's very well done and finely saline on the tonic aftertaste. 12.5% alcohol. Natural cork.