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Geltz Zilliken
Owner and winemaker Hans-Joachim Zilliken holds the reins at this Saar estate. Zilliken is located in Saarburg, which unsurprisingly is located on the Saar, which flows into the Mosel just before it reaches Trier. Although the estate includes some vines in the Ockfener Bockstein vineyard, the finest wines without doubt originate from the Rausch vineyard, in Saarburg itself.
The Rausch vineyard is comprised of Devon slate, typical for the region, and is planted up with no variety other than Riesling. Zilliken makes a range of wines at the estate, from Kabinett to Auslese, including some Goldkapsel bottlings. He also endeavours to produce an Eiswein from the Rausch vineyard whenever possible. Although critics do not place Zilliken in the top echelons of Mosel producers, he doubtlessly produces some exceedingly fine wines and in my opinion is only a hair's breadth behind. (25/2/02)
Contact details:
Address: Heckingstrasse 20, 54439 Saarburg
Telephone: +49 6581 2456
Fax: +49 6581 6763
Internet:
www.zilliken-vdp.de
Geltz-Zilliken - Tasting Notes
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Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett 2007: A very fresh,
pure, lifted and aromatic nose. This is a delicious wine with lovely style, full
and fleshy, but balanced with a little delicacy. A clean, sour-juicy finish
completes the picture. This has some length too. An excellent Kabinett. From my
2007 Germany assessment. 16.5-17+/20
(June 2008)
Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese 2007: A delicate
but still minerally nose here, with a similar character to the palate with a
gentle, textured, filigree finesse. Pure and mineral-rich, yet broad and
textured, with tingling acidity through to the finish, this is a wine of great
appeal. From my 2007 Germany
assessment. 16.5-17+/20 (June 2008)
Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spätlese (Auction) 2007:
Delicious Saar minerals here, purer, richer and yet more lively than the
preceding wines. A very incisively composed palate, fresh and impressive,
warming and opening up later in the palate to display a fine, creamy substance.
Really excellent style. From my 2007 Germany
assessment. 17.5-18+/20 (June 2008)
Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2007:
Another step up here, with a fabulous nose, pure and chalky and minerally. The
palate is similarly delicious, broad and creamy, with a chalky edge and well
covered acidity. Notes of orange peel provide a highlight, but its main appeal
is its wonderful purity. Superb. From my
2007 Germany assessment. 18-18.5+/20
(June 2008)
Geltz-Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese (Auction)
2003: The quantity produced was just 120 litres, so it is unsurprising that
this is an auction wine. The nose is heavenly, completely distinct from any
other wine at this tasting, partly the Prädikat and partly due to the
vintage I
am sure. There are rich notes of quince botrytis, with a plainly obvious
although fleeting high-toned element also. A wonderful, creamy, complex and
layered style on the palate, this is stunningly fine. An older vintage shown at
a 2007 Germany tasting. 19-19.5+/20
(June 2008)
Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Kabinett 1999:
A typically pale, green-golden wine here. Great elegance on what is an
expressive nose, full of honeysuckle, blossom and minerals. There's no
disappointment with the palate, which follows on with a combination of concentration,
character and freshness. Classic lime flavour on entry, but through
the midpalate there is more of a pear and stone fruit profile,
together with a delicious, mineral, steely yet floral character.
This all sounds a little hard, but in fact there is a lovely weight,
a rounded mouthfeel, and fine acidity. Delicious stuff. 17/20 (February 2002)
AP Nr: 3 551 083 14 00
Label
Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese 1997:
A very pale, lemon yellow wine with a typical green tinge. The nose is fairly
simple, with exuberant yet steely lime fruit, although perhaps there are some
notes of petrol coming through. The palate is bitingly fresh, with sharp, piercing
acidity. This supports a good layer of blossom and lime cordial fruit, with a very
clean, sweet, viscous texture. Fairly uncomplicated at present, but it has plenty
of staying power, and with plenty of age (a decade or so) this will be a delicious wine.
16.5+/20 (March 2002)
AP Nr: 3 551 083 9 98
Label
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