The 2009 Riesling trocken Der Knippie represents the latest and in my recollection most successful in a long line of generic Riesling bottlings from this address at least part of whose contents are intentionally encouraged to undergo malo-lactic transformation, so as to provide a soft and easy-drinking dry Riesling. Generously sappy apple and musk melon fruit informs a subtly creamy palate, while piquant hints of fruit pit and saliva-inducing salinity render the finish refreshing and automatically encouraging of the next sip. Enjoy this over the next 18-24 months. Gerko zu Knyphausen has acquired a new partner (holding a 50% share) who will assist in management and marketing. When this new investment funds director Wolfgang Frank informed me - employing the allegedly Burgundian classificatory language now so fashionable among German vintners - that the estates portfolio had been significantly restructured, I was to say the least skeptical. Naturally, though, of paramount importance is the quality of whatever is put into bottle (and the Knyphausen estate had registered a few disappointing recent collections). What I found when I visited in November was Knyphausen and long-time vineyard and cellar manager Rainer Ruttiger very much at their posts; a revision of the wine line-up that incorporated rather bold and in my opinion largely laudable stylistic innovations; and the most exciting collection I can recall at this address in nearly two decades. Its obvious from my conversations with the team that renewed rigor in vine management has been contributory to improved quality, and whatever combination of renewed inspiration and fiscal freedom has further impacted this years performance, heres hoping that it continues!Importer: P. J. Valckenberg International, Tulsa, OK; tel. (918) 622-0424