2001 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese Kerpen Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Germany. $24.99, Beekman, Glen Rock.
Deep gold color, clear hue, lovely aromas and tastes of tropical fruit and honey, spicy notes with hints of botrytis, with flinty undertones, light acidity, reminding me of a note by David Schildknect on another wine: "There is more than enough of acidity wound into the fabric of the wine like springs set to release on cue over the next couple of decades." Just delightful. 5*.
Notes:
Beekman: "Discrimination is a terrible thing. Yet many good people who wouldn’t think of discriminating against minorities freely discriminate against German wines. “They’re sweet!” Well sometimes yes, but that’s not the point. The point is that the better German wines pair much better with food than do oaky Chardonnays. And they come in numerous styles ranging from surprisingly dry to sticky sweet, so you can choose the style you like. And their characteristic acidity balances what sweetness they have. And, despite the common misconception that white wines do not age, the better German wines develop beautifully for many years and exhibit balance, complexity, and extremely appealing nuances. This six-year old wine is essentially a library selection."
An amazing bargain.