Weingut O. is the winery of electrician Olaf Schneider. Olaf has lived his whole life in Traben-Trarbach and stumbled into the wine-scene almost by an accident, when a friend who worked as a winemaker became ill. After making wine for others a couple of years, he decided to put up his own small Weingut in 2005. Vines were bought in Trabener Kräuterhaus and Trarbacher Ungsberg. The latter is a vineyard that in previous times was regarded as one of the best vineyards in Mittel-Mosel. But during the 20th century it lost much of its fame. Olaf Schneiders ideal is hard work in the vineyard and as little as possible in the cellar. Grapes should be gently pressed and the fermented juice should be bottled. In between the wine should mostly make itself.

I have tasted Olaf Schneiders wines every year from 2005 and have always been impressed by the work he does. 2009 was a warm vintage, but the results are great. Weingut is focusing more on Ungsberg and this will be the last vintage of the Kräuterhaus. Four cuvees were made, a dry riesling, spätlese and auslese from Ungsberg and a feinherb from Kräuterhaus.

Trabener Kräuterhaus Riesling kabinett feinherb 2009
As always the Kräuterhaus is a more aromatic, spicey and not as serious wine as Ungsberg. Hints, flowers, some minerality. Fullbodied and slightly sweet Riesling in the mouth. Aromatic and spicey fruit. Simpler style. But fine minerality and hints of stone. Fine balance with refreshing acidity and good length. Drinking this wine is a little sad as it is the last vintage. It is also one of the fineste efforts from this einzellage.

Trarbacher Ungsberg Bikiniblick Riesling trocken 2009
Bikiniblick is the locals name of a little shed in the Ungsberg. This is where the vineyard-workers go to get some rest away from the sun. It has one open side towards the valley. And at the bottom of the valley lies the old Stadtbad. Hence the name. Olaf has decided to use the name Bikiniblick for his dry Riesling from Ungsberg. Despite this, the wine is not from one single parcel, but grapes are sourced from all over the Ungsberg. The wine has a pretty nose. Slatey, mineral style. Slight flowers and nice hints of the spontaneous fermentation. Complex. Fullbodied and dry Mosel-riesling in the mouth. Round and nice mouthfeel. Fine fruit. Lots of mineral depth. Some flowers and slate. Good concentration. Fine acidity and length. Very good Mosel Trocken-riesling.

Trarbacher Ungsberg Riesling spätlese 2009
The spätlese is from a single plot with very old vines in the Ungsberg. This is Olafs first vintage from these vines. It has a great nose. More depth than the Bikiniblick. Great minerality. Some spontaneous hints. Sweet and structured Riesling in the mouth. Lots of concentration. Mineral and citrusy fruit. Great depth. Fine acidity. Some dry-extract on the finish. Long taste. Great wine. My favorite from Weingut O. in ’09. This will be great to follow in the future.

Trarbacher Ungsberg Riesling auslese 2009
The last wine is the auslese, selected from riper and botrytised grapes. Sweeter nose. The botrytis is noticeable. Fine minerality and slate-notes. Sweeter and also riper in the mouth. Fuller in style with some fatness from the botrytis. Very fine botrytis-notes. Quite clear and mineral fruit. Again slight spontaneous notes from the fermentation. Fine acidity and length. Another great wine.


Bikiniblick.



Arnt Egil Nordlien
Tasting notes: Sep-10


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