2015 Westhofen MORSTEIN Spätburgunder Felix Grosses Gewächs Q.b.A. trocken Versteigerung

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: From old Sylvaner vines that were grafted with Pinot Noir in 2009, the 2015 Morstein Spätburgunder GG "Felix" is warmer on the nose than the Frauenberg but also more generous. The bouquet offers a pure, fine, aromatic, generous and charming bouquet with mushroom and forest aromas. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, round, very intense, powerful and persistent German Spätburgunder with fine juicy tannins, gorgeous intensity and persistent power. Although I prefer the finesse, freshness and purity of the Frauenberg in 2015 (at least in this moment), the Morstein is a fascinating Pinot Noir as well and it was produced with the highest percentage of whole bunches. It is very intense, juicy and powerful and shows remarkable finesse and aging potential. The fruit, however, is pretty ripe and concentrated. The rich and powerful Morstein giant goes onto the market only in 2018 or 2019. - Stephan Reinhardt, Okt. 2017

Mosel Fine Wines: The nicely intensely red-colored 2015er Westhofener Morstein Spätburgunder Felix GG develops a comparatively powerful and aromatic nose of black cherry, plum, clove, licorice, and pomegranate, with a hint of spicy and toasty elements lurking in the background. There are ample juicy and even sweet fruits on the palate, and the creamy and ripe tannins give way to a more structured and slightly powerful, earthy and spicy feel in the long finish. Flavors of cherry, orange and spices add to this wine’s early appeal. It will however need a few more years in the bottle to gain in finesse, and will then prove a great ripe Pinot Noir to enjoy over many years. 2022-2035. - Okt. 2018

Vinous: As with the corresponding Frauenberg bottling, meat stock aromas vie for aromatic attention with those of a fruity nature. Cardamom-tinged ripe roasted tomato and beet mingle on a finely tannic palate with juicy, tartly tangy black raspberry. The finish is impressively gripping and laced with a welcome dose of mineral salts, though there is a slight sense of drying and a reinforcement of tannins that I was tempted to attribute to the combined effects of oak exposure and very recent bottling. But Keller assured me that even before that, this was by far the firmest and most closed of his three Pinots. It’s going to need time to reveal its full mettle. (For an account of the unusual vines behind this wine, consult my review of the corresponding 2013.) - David Schildknecht, Mai 2018