2024 VDP Preview: Franken Silvaner GG Part I
From Bickel-Stumpf, Bürgerspital zum Heiligen Geist, Fürstlich Castell'che Domäne, Weingut am Stein - Ludwig Knoll, Zehnthof Theo Luckert, Rudolf May, and Staatliche Hofkeller Würzburg
These are mostly 2023 Silvaner, and they suggest that it is a good year, although not a great one, for Franken Silvaner, one of the least well-known types of great wine.
Note also from the pictures below that the traditional Beuchsbeute is largely being replaced by Burgundy-style (and in some instances, Bordeaux-style) bottles.
BICKEL-STUMPF
2023 (Frickenhausen) Mönchshof Silvaner GG
Good limestone fruit expression with chalkiness, medium-weight, a touch of earthiness. Enough acidity. Drink over next 5-7 years. 91/A-
BÜRGERSPITAL ZUM HEILIGEN GEIST
2023 (Würzburg) Stein-Harfe Silvaner GG
Peach blossom nose. Medium weight, clear white fruits, enough acidity, round, long. I’d drink young. 90/B+
FÜRSTLICH CASTELL’SCHE Domäne
2019 (Castell) Schlossberg Silvaner GG
Floral, allspice nose. Firm, pure, round, white and yellow fruits, but lacks a little elegance. 91/A-
Weingut AM STEIN - Ludwig KNOLL
2022 (Stetten) Stein Silvaner GG
Floral, stony limestone nose. Moderate acidity, clear white fruits, good length in mouth. A very good effort from the 2022 Silvaner vintage that generally did not show well last year. 92/A
Zehnthof Theo LUCKERT
2023 (Sulzfeld) Maustal Silvaner GG
Crisp, pure, chalky Silvaner with some backbone, length, and penetration. 92(+)/A
Rudolf MAY
2023 (Retzstadt) Himmelspfad Silvaner GG
Floral white fruits nose. Medium-weight, white fruits, smooth, elegant, sufficient acidity, good length in mouth. 92/A
2023 (Thüngersheim) Rothlauf Silvaner GG
Floral, mineral nose. Medium-full, good minerality, white fruits. Some power here. 92/A
STAATLICHER HOFKELLER WÜRZBURG
2023 Würzburg) Stein-Berg Silvaner GG
Clear, pure, medium-weight, sufficient acidity, Probably best drunk over the next five years or so. 90/B+