Anniversary Wine Auction - An Exclusive Trio: 2005 Weingut von Hövel, Oberemmeler Hütte, VDP Auctioned 2006 Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel (3x375ml) - NO RESERVE PRICE This is a rare and exclusive offering: a trio of 375ml (half-bottle) Weingut von Hövel VDP Auction Auslese Goldkapsel. These wines represent the pinnacle of German Riesling—crafted from an exceptional vineyard, with impeccable provenance, and selected for the most prestigious wine auction in the country. The Winery: A Pillar of the Ruwer Weingut von Hövel is a historic, family-owned estate located in the Ruwer valley, a cool, forested tributary of the Mosel. Founded in 1803, the winery has been in the von Kunow family for seven generations. The current owner and winemaker, Maximilian von Kunow, is a respected figure in the German wine world, upholding the estate's legacy while bringing a modern, natural approach to winemaking. As a founding member of the VDP (Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates), Weingut von Hövel is a pillar of quality, dedicated to a "close to nature" philosophy. The Vintage: 2005 - A Spectacular Year The 2005 vintage in the Mosel was nothing short of superb, yielding wines of extraordinary quality. The idyllic growing season and a long, warm autumn allowed the grapes to achieve full ripeness while retaining a "searing acidity" that provides exceptional structure and aging potential. Mosel Fine Wines noted that the vintage's top sweet wines have "incredible staying power." The Wine: The Gold Standard of Rarity The "Goldkapsel" (gold capsule) on these bottles is a prestigious designation signifying a superior selection of the ripest grapes, representing the best Auslese the winery can produce in a given year. The fact that these wines were sold at the exclusive VDP Auction elevates their status to a true collector's item. VDP auction wines are produced in extremely limited quantities—often from special parcels or painful selections—and are reserved exclusively for the most prestigious auctions. This specific lot has an impressive average critic score of 93/100 points on Wine-Searcher from four reviews, confirming its exceptional quality. Winemaking & Terroir: A Recipe for Longevity Weingut von Hövel’s wines are renowned for their timeless elegance and ability to age for decades. This is a direct result of their winemaking philosophy, which includes spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts and aging in traditional large wooden barrels called Fuder. These practices allow the wines to fully express the character of their terroir, including from the estate’s VDP Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) vineyards like the world-famous Scharzhofberger and the monopole sites of Hütte and Hörecker. The wines are known for their vibrant acidity, filigreed structure, and deep minerality. Provenance: Impeccable and Traceable The provenance of this lot is impeccable, guaranteeing its authenticity and perfect condition. The bottles were purchased directly at the VDP Auction in Trier in 2006 from a very limited number of bottles. They were then immediately moved to our professionally managed wine cellar, OHMS, where they have been stored under ideal, consistent conditions of temperature and humidity. Their pristine condition, with very intact labels, is a direct result of their careful handling and storage. This traceable history confirms their perfect journey from a historic auction to a cellar designed for their long-term preservation. This is a chance to acquire not just a wine, but a unique piece of German wine history, ready to be enjoyed or held for years to come.