Germany

The first time I saw it we were in Scotland. I full on freaked out at a small spirits shop in Edinburgh when I noticed this quirky bottle of gin sitting on the shelf. For years, the Monkey 47 had been unobtanium, a regrettable situation for the knowledgeable and gin soaked. None of us had experienced this legendary gin yet, but thanks to the UK's lax wine shop regulations -the old "taste whatever you like" rule was in full effect. We were soon dunking our noses in a few splashes of its magnificence. I think tasting this after several other gins really put into perspective how special it really is. Created through the confluence of British aesthetics, Indian flavors, and the distinctly Teutonic natural treasure that is the Schwarzwald, The Monkey packs an enormous amount of complexity into that little bottle. It's the sort of gin that will save that cocktail you're about to ruin. You could have just as well served it straight because it sips beautifully even at room temperature. It’s quite a departure from your standard recipe gin, although some familiar elements are layered throughout. There is a strong yet soothing evergreen presence. A keynote if you will, but by no means the only focus. On the nose a dried floral aroma is accented by a twinge of spicy ginger. At the front, what seems like a citrus or chamomile quickly morphs into tea tree and sweet herbs, lemon verbena -now cucumber peel and pepper, it just keeps on going. No point in continuing to describe its flavor, its not working. It has a glorious tendency to be completely different with each sip, a true roller-coaster of flavors. Every single one of its 47 botanicals is tuned to the same perfect frequency. It's wild and utterly fabulous, but not in an awkward way. Instead, it seems to be all very deliberate, even stoic. I gladly forked over the £s the shop was asking, as did my colleagues. We nearly cried when we heard it would finally be arriving stateside.

Please swirl this in the glass for a minute or two, because the way it expands during this process is really impressive! A huge spectrum of red fruit and delicate spice are married to a super-elegant palate with stacks of fine tannins. Long, compact finish with wonderful, stony freshness. Excellent aging potential.

The 2025 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese colors its slaty nose with just a suspicion of yellow peach. Lovely concentration on the palate suggests a touch of citrus pith that frames this exquisitely pure and brilliant peach juiciness. Without any weight at all, this carries off immense concentration. The noblesse and elegance of the Sonnenuhr are on fullest display. (Sweet) (AK)

The 2025 Riesling Veldenzer Elisenberg Spätlese immediately shines with lemon purity that is surrounded by blossom and creaminess. Lemon balm also adds a lovely nuance of freshness. The palate then turns fully toward white and yellow peach, with immense juiciness, with elegant concentration and a perfect contour of lemon zest. What purity, brightness and light-footed freshness. Yes, sweetness is here, deep inside the core, but it is citrus that sets the tone. (Sweet) (AK)

The 2025 Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese was made with around a fifth of the fruit botrytized. Enticing glimpses of candied Mirabelle come with a lovely contour of citrus zest. The palate turns this into vivid, lemon-intense peach jelly, with a beautifully supple, rounded and juicy sweetness that lends more pliability before the lemon kicks in again on the finish. This is vibrant, exciting and so pure. (Sweet) (AK)

The 2025 Riesling Veldenzer Elisenberger Kabinett is a Richter monopole that mixes alluvial deposits, slate and quartzite. Smokiness combines with crushed herb lift that has something of deadnettle. The palate is juicy and energetic and mixes its profound stony flavor with that deadnettle vibe and juicy, ripe white peach. Lemon frames it all and makes for a lively, joyful wine. (Off-dry) (AK)

Founded by Augustinian monks in 1328, Munich’s Augustiner-Bräu is the city’s oldest independent brewery. Its Lagerbier Hell belongs to the pale lager tradition closely associated with Munich and Bavaria. This 11.2-ounce bottle offers a classic German beer style from a brewery with nearly seven centuries of history.

The 2025 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett comes with alluring slate smokiness that somehow hints at distant fruit. The palate then unpacks that lovely peach, that trembling salty stone, that wonderful citrus aroma that holds as much lemon as mandarin and some leaves of dried lemon balm. This just goes under the skin with its steadiness, its undisturbed linearity. (Off-dry) (AK)

As the oldest existing brewery in the world, the Weihenstephaner brewery occupies an exalted site atop Weihenstephan Hill in the Bavarian city of Freising. This fresh and vibrant wheat beer is as complex as it is refreshing with fruit and herb notes on the nose and palate and a light an bright finish that belies its nearly 8% abv.

Bid on this 6-bottle tasting lot; including 2-bottles of 2017 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese Mosel and 4-bottles of 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese #5 Mosel (97JS, 96RP, 96VN). Of the 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese #5 Mosel, James Suckling writes: "The astonishing precision of the exotic ripeness and enveloping floral aromas make this extremely concentrated 2022 Mosel Spatlese stand head and shoulders above the majority of the vintage. Then comes the fabulous wet stone freshness that drives the extremely long and totally cool finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold." (08/2023)

Bid on this 7-bottle tasting lot; including 4-bottles of 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett #3 Mosel (98JS, 95DC, 95VN, 94RP) and 3-bottles of 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett #2 Mosel (95JS, 94DC, 94VN, 93RP). Of the 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett #3 Mosel, James Suckling writes: "The staggering nose of fresh pineapple invites you to a voyage to the tropics with their rich colors and lush vegetation. Then comes the no less amazing palate which is simultaneously extraordinary in concentration yet miraculously feather light. Great citrusy freshness, but it’s impossible to say which citrus fruit it is because it seems to flicker from Amalfi lemon to bergamot and then to pomelo, and on and on. Almost endless finish with the merest hint of unfermented grape sweetness. Drink or hold." (08/2023)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 2017 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Auction #14.

Bid on this 7-bottle tasting lot; including 3-bottles of 2021 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel (95JS, 95RP, 95WE, 93JG) and 4-bottles of 2022 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel (95VN, 94JS, 93W&S, 92WE, 92WS). Of the 2021 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel, Wine Advocate writes: "The 2021 Juffer-Sonnenuhr Spätlese is clear, intense and bright on the layered and lovely minty, finely coolish and very delicate and flinty nose. Concentrated and lush on the palate, this is a saline and tensioned, mouthwatering Spätlese of great elegance, finesse and freshness. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022. (SR)" (08/2022)

Bid on this 6-bottle tasting lot; including 3-bottles of 2017 Donnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese #17 Goldkapsel Nahe (375ml) (98JS, 95JG, 95VN) and 3-bottles of 2018 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese #23 Goldkapsel Nahe (375ml) (97JS, 95JG, 93VN, 93WS). Of the 2017 Donnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese #17 Goldkapsel Nahe (375ml), James Suckling writes: "Hold on to your hat! This is so concentrated and so filigree. Somewhere in this tightly coiled maelstrom of flavors is a bunch of sweetness. Yet, every time you think you've got it, it slips away. Breathtakingly long and fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold. Very limited production. " (09/2018)

Bid on this 6-bottle tasting lot; including 4-bottles of 2017 Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Kabinett and 2-bottles of 2017 Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Riesling Spätlese.

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 2-bottles of 2018 Schloss Lieser Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese Long Gold Kapsule and 1-bottle of 2018 Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Auslese Long Gold Kapsule.

Bid on this 6-bottle tasting lot; including 2-bottles of 2019 Schloss Lieser Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, 3-bottles of 2019 Schloss Lieser Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Großes Gewächs, and 1-bottle of 2019 Schloss Lieser Wehlener Sonnenuhr GG Riesling Mosel. Of the 2019 Schloss Lieser Wehlener Sonnenuhr GG Riesling Mosel, Grosses Gewachs

There's a profound mineral tension, with aromas of white pepper, flint and some earth. The palate is tense and nervy, with finely structured phenolics rounding out the sweetness from residual sugar, leading to a drying finish. The nerviness backed by structure on the palate has made this an immense, detailed wine for the cellar. (RM)

Very racy and pure with extremely expressive white-peach and white-flower aromas, this is an extremely exciting wine that zips over your palate with considerable energy. The slate finish is extremely clean. Drink or hold.

The 2025 Riesling Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Grosses Gewächs is from vines that share a birth year with Helmut Dönnhoff, i.e. 1949. They are rooted in shale. Only very slight flint accompanies the luminous lemon that becomes even more concentrated and clean-cut on the stony palate. This is utter zestiness, like a well of freshness, a source of light, a measure of purity and clarity. It is ultra-crystalline, ultra-straight, ultra-steely, ultra-delicious. (Bone-dry) (AK)

The first time I saw it we were in Scotland. I full on freaked out at a small spirits shop in Edinburgh when I noticed this quirky bottle of gin sitting on the shelf. For years, the Monkey 47 had been unobtanium, a regrettable situation for the knowledgeable and gin soaked. None of us had experienced this legendary gin yet, but thanks to the UK's lax wine shop regulations -the old "taste whatever you like" rule was in full effect. We were soon dunking our noses in a few splashes of its magnificence. I think tasting this after several other gins really put into perspective how special it really is. Created through the confluence of British aesthetics, Indian flavors, and the distinctly Teutonic natural treasure that is the Schwarzwald, The Monkey packs an enormous amount of complexity into that little bottle. It's the sort of gin that will save that cocktail you're about to ruin. You could have just as well served it straight because it sips beautifully even at room temperature. It’s quite a departure from your standard recipe gin, although some familiar elements are layered throughout. There is a strong yet soothing evergreen presence. A keynote if you will, but by no means the only focus. On the nose a dried floral aroma is accented by a twinge of spicy ginger. At the front, what seems like a citrus or chamomile quickly morphs into tea tree and sweet herbs, lemon verbena -now cucumber peel and pepper, it just keeps on going. No point in continuing to describe its flavor, its not working. It has a glorious tendency to be completely different with each sip, a true roller-coaster of flavors. Every single one of its 47 botanicals is tuned to the same perfect frequency. It's wild and utterly fabulous, but not in an awkward way. Instead, it seems to be all very deliberate, even stoic. I gladly forked over the £s the shop was asking, as did my colleagues. We nearly cried when we heard it would finally be arriving stateside.

The holidays are here! That means big meals and lots of drinks. What do you do after a huge meal when you feel like all you can do is unbutton your pants and sink into the couch? Underberg!! This digestif bitter works wonders on your full stomach, aiding with digestion. It's also a relaxant in stressful situations, which the holidays can certainly be too.

The 2025 Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Spätlese still has a slight vestige of flintiness on the nose. The palate is a picture of dripping, ripe and juicy yellow peach flesh, beautifully sweet, wonderfully tempered with lemon. The finish subsumes everything in Amalfi lemon and leaves a gorgeous trail of zestiness. (Sweet) (AK)

Very cool and lemony, with plenty of garden herb aromas, this is a very sleek and focused dry riesling that’s barely medium-bodied. Very crisp finish with some herbal and green apple flavors. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

The 2025 Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett shimmers with tender tangerine amidst its smoky slate savor. The palate, too, plunges into this lovely ripe citrus juiciness that carries just a little pithiness, all aligned to salty stone. (Medium) (AK)

From the brewery: "A good beer takes its time. The long storage makes our yellow bright lager, 'Original', a flavourful beer enjoyed with fine poured, white foam. With a mild hoppy note and its pleasant fresh spicy taste, it goes very well with salads, poultry, stews or with a hearty snack. Brewed according to our centuries-old brewing tradition on the Weihenstephan hill."

A very concentrated and succulent dry riesling with a fabulous textural complexity on the medium- to full-bodied palate. A very wide spectrum of stone-fruit aromas is beautifully interwoven with the salty minerality at the expansive finish.

Somehow the ripeness of Mediterranean citrus fruit meets with an almost Alpine freshness in this concentrated and very focused dry riesling that races briskly across your palate. Medium-bodied but with a wonderfully light touch, this turns from power to delicacy at the very long finish.

Density, coolness, floral finesse and wet-stone magic intersect in this extraordinary wine that defies easy categorization. In spite of the enormous concentration, this is barely medium-bodied and, at the finish, it floats off into the almost infinite distance. Enormous aging potential.

Stacks of wild herb character and wet stone freshness make this an exciting riesling Kabinett in which the natural grape sweetness is barely perceptible. Only light-bodied, but with excellent concentration and a long, salty and stony finish, this is a remarkable expression of this great Mosel vineyard site.

92 points, Falstaff: "Estate Riesling Type 1: Extract and balance. On the nose: lime zest, slate, herbs, orange blossom. On the palate, characterized by mineral extract; dense, gripping, with a taut structure and good length. Inviting to drink, very fresh, perfectly on point."

Alright folks, and you know who you are, this is the one for you. Yes, the people looking for something a little strange, a little different, something orange or skin contact or something like that. It's here, this is the one from Germany that we're carrying that's that way. That being said, it's also pretty good and very inoffensive for a very natural presenting wine. The nose has a little touch of sour beer, light little touch of petrol, really dense but ripe fruit, and a kind of light and inoffensive funk. The palate is very dry, reasonable acidity and with a slight tannic grip from the skin contact. There's a little bit of stewed fruit, a little bit of that sour beer on the palate and then a little bit more funk. Overall this is pretty clean and a great entry point for people who want to try an orange wine or a skin contact wine, but don't want anything too scary.

A very juicy wine with a wealth of stone fruit aromas and flavors. I love the fantastic freshness of this very elegant, sleek, light-bodied riesling that's just off-dry enough to pull you back for more. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

The 2024 Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Spätlese mixes a subtle streak of lime with flinty reduction, pointing right away at raciness. The palate is stony and taut, but trembles with white and yellow peach at its core, framed by vivid zestiness. It is light, juicy and bright. The 2024 pirouettes across the palate in consummate fashion. If you told me this was a Kabinett, I'd believe you. It is so agile, fresh and zesty. The 2024 is unbelievably energetic and gorgeously balanced. It is deliciousness itself. (Medium)(AK)

Very cool and elegant, but that sounds as if this is a lightweight, and in spite of the lightness of the body it has terrific concentration and wonderful salty minerality that electrifies the palate. Then, in the very long and dynamic finish it turns decisively dry. Drink from release.

Hofbräu München traces its history to 1589, when Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria established a brewery to supply the ducal court. Now owned by the Free State of Bavaria, this historic Munich producer presents its Original Lager here in a classic 500ml format.

Aromas of smoke, flint, gun smoke, salty Amalfi lemons, peaches, nectarines, herbs and spices. The palate is tense and nervy, with a juicy mid-palate balanced by a core of minerals, salt and phenolic extract. Mouthwatering and refreshing, with plenty to gain with time in the cellar. (RM)

A truly astonishing dry riesling. What a great combination of delicate stone fruit with intense slate minerality. Breathtaking finesse, which is what we expect from this legendary vineyard site. Very long, refined finish.

The 2024 Riesling Dhroner Häs'chen Kabinett is shy on the nose but rocks the palate with its herb-scented lemonade-like nature that brings aromas of lemon zest and yarrow crushed on slate. The 2024 is lively, sprightly, bright and far too easy to drink. (Off-dry)(AK)

An extremely cool and elegant wine for this vineyard site, which can give quite round wines. Delicately pithy on the mid-palate, then the lemon character and crisp acidity kicks in. Long, very clean finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

The 2024 Riesling Erdener Prälat Auslese Goldkapsel was made from botrytized fruit but that is not immediately evident on the nose, where fresh fruit still shines with citrus. Its sweetness is like candied tangerine, with intensity rather than aroma that expresses the botrytis here. The 2024 is beautifully contoured with zestiness, alive with tanginess, wonderfully balanced and so clean-cut. (Bone-dry)(AK)

The passion fruit, mangosteen and wild strawberry aromas of this vibrant wine are divine. Extremely dynamic and brilliant on the sleek, barely medium-bodied palate. What beautiful zestiness in the very long, vibrant finish. Drink from release.

Exceptionally refined and racy, this has terrific Amalfi lemon freshness and white peach fruit on the very focused, medium-bodied palate. Incredible drive in the super-long finish. The aromatic finesse of the wild flower, peach and Amalfi lemon nose is almost as great as the textural finesse. Incredible delicacy in the super-long finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

Violet, fur and spicy notes of plum and black cherry compote collide in this decadently perfumed Pinot Noir. While light in body, it's a penetrating, intensely fruity red held upright by zesty cranberry acidity and very fine, feathery tannins. (AI)

This bright, everyday beer is sparkling and fresh and is expertly brewed using only the noble raw materials allowed by German Purity Law of 1516. A showpiece of the brewing art in Bavaria, and a great treat for the beer expert or beer novice! 5.6% abv.

Spicy and herbal, with aromas of white and yellow stone fruit and a balanced, delicate nature waiting to explode with time in the cellar. The palate is tense and salty, with the trademark phenolic extract drying out the sweetness. A salty, minerally finish. Playful and tantalizing, with the minerality drawing out the length and complexity. (RM)

Weingut Stefan Müller is a small, third-generation estate based in Konz-Krettnach in the Saar, one of Germany’s most distinctive Riesling-growing areas. Stefan Müller took over the family winery in 2013, and today he farms roughly 10 hectares, with Riesling accounting for the vast majority of the vineyards. His wines are rooted in the steep, slate-soiled vineyards of the Konzer Tälchen, with an emphasis on old vines, meticulous hand harvesting and natural cellar work. Fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, and wines are raised in traditional Fuder barrels or stainless steel, often with extended lees aging. The result is beautifully pure, precise wine that balances vibrant acidity and mineral character with remarkable texture and drinkability.

The 2025 Riesling feinherb is picked in the Niedermenninger Herrenberg on iron-rich Devonian slate. This is the second bottling of this wine; a previous bottling was from a slightly different blend with less residual sweetness. A lovely note of petrichor on the nose leads to a smooth palate that has quite some fill despite the slender outline and sweetness. This strikes a very happy balance with the tender savor of slate and some Meyer lemon zestiness. This has 18 grams per liter of residual sugar. (AK)