Aaron Tan

9.9

One of the best evenings of wine I’ve had this year, and it was just focused on this duo. Opened as inspiration for this year’s red pick at Miao Lu (a name to remember for those reading. I’ll say it here first - some of the best Pinot’s and Chard’s in the world will be coming out of this project high up in Yunnan!), and they both gave great context to the task.

When I harvested with Klaus-Peter in 2017, the vineyards bore the scars of hail, every last one of them. The damage was manifest in what we came to call "hail berries" (misshapen berries). To my untrained palate, they tasted perfectly fine. Naturally, I asked KP why we were discarding them, and his response, while not entirely unexpected, was still astonishing (paraphrasing of course): "I don't need to know precisely what they do," he said, "but if there's even a chance they might diminish the wine by 1%, they're gone. And these? They look capable of much worse."

That unyielding spirit of his was, I must admit, my torment at Abtserde, the vineyard hit hardest by the hail. We spent an entire day sorting and picking a single row - granted, the rows were long, but the pace was glacial. The true enemy, though, wasn’t the relentless sorting, but the wasps. Those little demons made an already grueling task even more daunting, dodging their stings as we plucked berries one by one, like selecting pearls from a troubled sea. What we ended up with were, quite literally, tiny gems - "caviar" berries of purity. By day’s end, the sight was something to behold. Despite the torment, the hard work was unquestionably worth it. The 17’ Abtserde is my wine of the vintage.

I’ve had the 17’ Abtserde on numerous occasions but this takes the cake as the best (note to self: best to decant a young Abtserde hard). It is a marvel of purity and depth, with its nose evoking Meyer lemon, iodine, chalk, and flint. These aromas reappear on the palate with a nearly overwhelming intensity, blending piquant brightness and mineral-rich concentration. With more air, a floral, bittersweet herbal note very typical of the vineyard appears (smells like the place even). As the evening unfolded, the wine seemed to grow younger, each glass more lively than the last. The final sip was almost painfully austere, like drinking pure limestone, its explosive palate held together by sharp acidity and a palpable, phenolic grip. The finish seemed endless. One of my best Keller experiences this year. — 3 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Extroverted elegance! Quite a bit of white nectarine/strawberry purée softly spread on toast and dipped in cream. Or mayhaps that it just feels like cream. Really the texture on this is exquisite. It is wearing elbow length gloves with a fuchsia satin dress and pearls. This wine is. Or maybe that’s what I feel like I’m wearing drinking it. — 4 years ago

Shayadaram

9.5

Very smooth and Luay enjoyed — 4 months ago

William Paley

9.3

soil rinse, petticoat fruits, diamonds and pearls….clarion finish — 2 years ago

with Jess

Max Kappl

9.5

Super lecker! Nice pearls as well 😁 again very delicious apple notes and a freshness which is dangerous if you plan to stay sober. — 2 years ago

Mark Howard

9.3

Aromas of dark black fruits - blackberry, plum, blueberry. Bold and big, with soft integrated tannins that draw you into the inner sanctum of the grape varietal. A tinge of age at the ends, but not in the fore front. Nice lovely finish lasting over 30 seconds before it breaks down. Definitely at its peak of performance. Paired well with the bolognese. Even better with the veal chop with figs, pluots, and watermelon radish. As Elizabeth says, this is a gorgeous wine. “It’s a grown up, but not old”. Or as I like to say, like a 40 year old classy lady wearing an evening gown and pearls - just stunning! — 4 years ago

with Elizabeth

Ely Cohn

9.0

Something different and unexpected - equal parts Marsanne and Roussanne, with 28% Viognier. Lightly colored cream shaded pearls with delicate oak laced aromas and a surprisingly full body.

More floral than fruity - Peach, lychee, and white flowers. A restrained elegance that doesn't quite equal up to the sum of its parts. — 6 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Ooooooooold Skool burgundy.

Nose is cherry cranberry flower.

Palate is crunchy cranberry.

So un obvious. Pearls before swine. — 2 years ago

Zack McDonald

8.9

Diamonds and pearls drinking deep with my girl — 3 years ago

with Zorica

Evan Bloom

9.1

Nice champagne, though not the best QPR. Granny Smiths are very present, thought not as laser focused as I’d like. Yeast, brioche, check. Finding it an easy drinker with fine pearls, but not mind blowing. — 5 years ago