Zilliken German Rieslings

Tasting notes & discussion 33

An Interview with Dorothee Zilliken

Typically $26/bottle from The Zilliken Estate
Vintage 2020 from Germany (Saar Valley)
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KS; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About The Zilliken Estate: “Weingut Zilliken is one of the leading wine estates of the Saar region in Germany. Renowned for the steely precision of their Rieslings grown in the very cool climate and slate soils of the area, the Zilliken estate built its reputation with intense, yet delicate and nearly weightless Rieslings that ‘float like a butterfly.’ The Zilliken family traces its winegrowing tradition back to 1742. Since then, their winemaking philosophy has always been to carefully preserve the potential that the wine carries within itself. Their greatest effort is in the vineyards, and their approach in the cellar is traditional and simple, with fermentation, clarification and maturation all happening naturally in old Fuder casks.”

Billikens and Zillikens

TASTING NOTES:
2020 Riesling - “A very fruity, succulent Riesling that shows the vivacious character of the Saar valley in the refined Zilliken style. This lightly sweet estate wine is like a stroll through a spring garden. It enchants the nose with aromas of lemon balm, mint, chamomile, and juicy apricot. The taste of this Riesling delights with citrus notes, juicy, grape-like nuances, as well as an earthy minerality. It has a delighting, long-lasting finish and is an animating companion for every occasion.” (AbV 9.0%, TA 7.3 g/L, RS 39.6 g/L)

2020 ”Butterfly” Riesling - “A brisk and refreshing off-dry Riesling that is a delicious introduction to this exceptional Saar valley estate. This medium-dry wine captures the ethereal ‘floats like a butterfly’ character of Zilliken Rieslings at a very attractive price. Bright and juicy, with moderate alcohol, this butterfly soars high on citrus and floral wings. Playful, tangy flavors of lime and granny smith apple are heightened with refreshing accents of lemon balm, with a zesty, zippy finish.” (AbV 11.0%, TA 7.5 g/L, RS 17.8 g/L)

VARIETALS: Riesling

BARRELS: N/A

PAIRS WITH: N/A

THAT REMINDS ME OF: The Billiken.

A mischievous, little gremlin figurine thought to bring you peace in some vague manner. Originally designed by art teacher Florence Pretz in Kansas City back in the late 1800’s, it wasn’t until 1908 that Billikens would start to be created en masse or show up elsewhere in the world. It was purported that buying one would make you lucky, but getting one from someone else would make you even luckier.

Saint Louis University would adopt the Billiken as a sports mascot around 1911, and despite the Billiken’s fading into relative obscurity, it remains their mascot to this day.

Also people in Japan really liked them, because of course they did.

Who's buying this?

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The sports mascot

The sports mascot
I am familiar with the Billiken

I am familiar with the Billiken
Oh yeah, we go way back

Oh yeah, we go way back

43 votes