Critic ratings
robert_parker
2019
Rating:
92
–92
From the clos, the 2019 Riesling Cuvée Théo is very clear and elegant on the pure but aromatic and even slightly flinty nose that exhibits ripe and intense Riesling fruit. Lush and salty-piquant on the palate, this is a round, fresh and pure, crystalline Riesling with remarkable intensity and hidden power and a finely bitter and saline finish. Still young, this 2019 will refine with bottle age. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in May 2022.
robert_parker
2015
Rating:
89
–89
Sourced form old vines in the Clos des Capucins and a plot in the Schlossberg, the 2015 Riesling Cuvée Theo displays a clear, ripe and characterful bouquet with spicy as well as pebbly/earthy and also floral flavors. This is a full-bodied, ripe and intense, yet not fully dry Riesling that displays warm fruit flavors on the round and charming palate. The wine is well structured by a good acidity and fine tannins, and should develop very well over the next 10 to 15 years. The residual sugar is just 5.22 grams per liter, but combined with the 13.68% of alcohol the sensation is slightly sweet.
robert_parker
2017
Rating:
90
–90
The 2017 Alsace Riesling Cuvée Theo is from the Clos and from young vines in the Grand Cru Schlossberg. The 2017 offers a nose of lime blossom and is intense and fresh but structured on the palate, with a long and intense finish with good salinity. Tasted October 2018.
robert_parker
1998
Rating:
89
–89
Lush lime scents are found in the delightful aromatics of the 1998 Riesling Cuvee Theo. This is a well-structured, pure, suave, concentrated, dense, yet elegant wine. Loads of spices, minerals, and fresh, crisp white fruits can be found in this chewy textured, medium-bodied offering. Projected maturity: 2002-2008.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel (205) 980-8802.
robert_parker
1999
Rating:
88
–88
The 1999 Riesling Cuvee Theo exhibits mineral, pear, and apple aromas. Quinine (as in the tonic water flavoring), citrus fruits, and minerals are found in this well-focused, medium-bodied wine. It is well-balanced, fresh, pure, and flavorful.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
robert_parker
2000
Rating:
90
–90
Produced from the famous Clos des Capucins that surrounds the Faller's beautiful home as well as the winery, the lemon and mineral-scented 2000 Riesling Cuvee Theo is an intense, extracted wine of enormous finesse. Light to medium-bodied, it reveals flavors reminiscent of minerals awash in lemons. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012.
According to Laurence Faller, this highly regarded estate's winemaker, "unquestionably 2000 must be considered one of the finest vintages of the last decade. It reminds me of 1998 but with more botrytis, yet not too much."
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
robert_parker
2001
Rating:
89
–89
The earth and gravel-scented 2001 Riesling Cuvee Theo is a light to medium-bodied wine crammed with stones, quinine, and minerals. It has admirable purity, concentration, depth, and length. Drink it over the next 7 years.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802
robert_parker
1993
Rating:
90
–90
There are six 1993 dry Riesling cuvees, each with its own personality. The intensity level, amount of body, and concentration varies in each wine. The 1993 Riesling Cuvee Theo possesses greater precision than the Riesling Reserve Personnelle, and a more intriguing aromatic display of minerals combined with ripe apples and flowers. It is a rich, crisp, dry, beautifully balanced wine that can be drunk now or cellared for a decade. Once again, Domaine Weinbach has produced some of Alsace's finest white wines. Laurence, one of Colette Faller's two daughters, is now in full control of the Domaine Weinbach, and the 1993 vintage showcases her talent. She has moved the domaine to an even higher quality level, fashioning fuller-bodied, drier wines with slightly higher alcohol levels. Domaine Weinbach's small 1993 crop is evident in the wines reviewed in this issue - all impressively rich, fragrant, and - most importantly - delicious.
robert_parker
1994
Rating:
91
–91
There are five dry Rieslings in 1994 - all of them outstanding. The 1994 Riesling Cuvee Theo (named after Madame Faller's deceased husband) is made from a selection of the her finest parcels. A beautiful wine, it offers up intense aromas of pineapples, minerals, flint, and oranges. Full-bodied, with great fruit intensity, this is a dry, rich, powerful Riesling with exceptional intensity. It should last for 10+ years. There has been no shortage of great vintages for Domaine Weinbach. 1989 and 1990 are the finest recent vintages prior to 1994, and this estate turned out extremely strong 1992s and 1993s. The 1994s offer a dazzling combination of power, high extraction, and vibrant, well-integrated acidity, making them strikingly intense, beautifully structured wines. This domaine consistently has conservative crop yields. For example, in 1994 the French government permitted 80 hectoliters per hectare, but Domaine Weinbach averaged 45 hectoliters per hectare. The estate's harvest began on September 20th and finished on November 18th. Kudos to the Fallers, who once again have turned out exquisite wines.
The 1994 wines reviewed in this issue were tasted in December, 1995.
Domaine Weinbach is imported by Vineyard Brands, Inc. (Robert Haas Selections), Chester, VT; tel. (802) 875-2139
robert_parker
1995
Rating:
90
–90
All four dry Riesling offerings display high flavor extraction, as well as mouthsearing levels of acidity. The 1995 Riesling Cuvee Theo exhibits extraordinary precision and purity. Despite its high acidity, the wine offers a gorgeous display of steely, mineral-dominated, apple/underripe apricot-like fruit. The wine is medium-bodied, dry, and impeccably well-balanced, with a finish that lasts for 25-30 seconds. Alsace wine enthusiasts will no doubt argue for decades as to whether Domaine Zind-Humbrecht or Domaine Weinbach produces this fairy tale region's most profound wines. The ZH wines tend to be slightly sweeter, with higher alcohol. Since Laurence Weinbach began making the wines, Domaine Weinbach's wines are drier, although still authoritatively powerful, rich, and concentrated.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Chester, VT; tel. (802) 875-2139
robert_parker
1997
Rating:
88
–88
The 1997 Riesling Cuvee Theo has a muted, unevolved nose yet a strong, concentrated character. This light-to-medium-bodied, crisp wine has broad lemon-drenched mineral flavors. It is tightly wound at present but will blossom into a rich and expressive offering with cellaring. Projected maturity: 2001-2008.
Since Laurence Faller took over the winemaking duties at Domaine Weinbach (1993/94) there have been marked stylistic changes to the wines. They remain extremely well-made, rich, and concentrated yet are less generous in their youth than under the former winemaker's regime. I am, however, convinced that the wines presently being produced at this famed estate will be longer-lived than those from the past.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel (205) 980-8802.
