I have one more Silvaner from Castell to share with you, but this one isn’t 100% Silvaner.  It’s a blend of 80% Silvaner and 20% Traminer, which is technically a family of grape varieties—the most well known of which is Gewürztraminer—but in Germany they tend to refer to all grapes from this family as just “Traminer.”  And it may in fact be Gewürztraminer that they used.

This wine is extremely floral on the nose.  It also shows some white peach and lychee aromas.  This is one of those wines that I could sit and smell for hours, as I just find it that fascinating.  I know, I’m a geek.  It not only smells great, but it tastes nice too, with lychee, apple, honeydew and citrus on the palate with amazing acidity.  The acidity gives the fruit an exceptionally fresh characteristic, which I think is a big plus in this wine.  The finish is quite long and enjoyable too.

Although it’s at the upper end of our “cheap” wine price range, it’s an interesting and enjoyable wine.

Wine: Castell Trautberg
Variety: Silvaner Traminer blend
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 88
Price: $20.00

Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.