Year

WOW Rating

%

2004

Rheinpfalz and Rheingau outshone other regions but some variation in quality. Attractive for early drinking.

Drink

86

2003

The record heat of the 2003 summer produced some outstanding late harvest wines but medium-dry and dry are more variable.

Hold sweet
Drink dry

90

2002

Another superb vintage. Particularly rich, ripe wines from Rheingau

Drink or Hold

93

2001

Eureka! Finest vintage in 30 years.  Outstanding, long-aging wines from best estates.  Drink 2008.

Hold

97

2000

Why waste your money when other outstanding vintages are available.

Avoid

71

1999

Pleasant vintage but not for keeping, many wines have attractive floral characteristics

Drink

88

1998

Average year, time to drink it up.

Drink

86

1997

Attractive well-balanced year for most

Drink

88

1996

Riesling succeeded because of late Autumn picking

Drink

88

1995

Quite concentrated flavours. Have now peaked.

Drink

89

1994

Open vintage, easy-drinking wines

Drink

87

1993

Similar vintage to 1996

Drink

87

1992

Good vintage with ripe fruit

Drink

88

1991

Was pleasant but time has rolled on and it is now past its best.

Avoid

82

1990

Superb vintage, best Rheingau will keep and keep

Drink or Hold

95

1989

Classic vintage, some superb late-picked wines

Drink or Hold

93

1988

Excellent vintage, best names now showing beautiful balance

Drink

91