2001 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese (Mosel, Germany)
Aaargh! Barely any fruit, no mineral, just that damn mustiness and lack of any other flavour. Again - aaargh!
2007 Hirsch Heiligenstein Riesling (Kamptal, Austria)
12% alcohol, and under screwcap. So unromantic to open this with a quick, frustrated twist of the screwcap... but hey, at least the wine was drinkable. Actually, much more than that. This is SENSATIONAL (and I really need to hunt down more of this). Wild nose; soaring aromas of minerals, spices and flowers over melon and citrus notes. Tremendous on the palate; somehow manages to feel full bodied and concentrated while keeping a sensation of incredible lightness with razor-sharp acidity and clear, precise flavours of lime, grapefruit and honeydew melon infused with rocks, mineral salts, spices and floral elements. Finishes with tremendous length - brilliant wine!
1976 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Gerümpel Riesling Auslese (Pfalz, Germany)
Took a 10 minute struggle to get the cork out in a couple of large pieces and many smaller fragments. It was soaked through, but the wine was still quite amazing. Deep golden-amber colour with an intoxicating nose that shows all sorts of tropical fruits over honey, smoke, cinnamon, cloves, saffron and nutmeg. Full bodied and rich on the palate with honey-drenched tropical fruits, pears and citrus flavours over softer caramel and spicy notes. Despite the intense botrytised flavours this doesn't feel particularly sweet, with surprisingly lively acidity underneath the rich fruit and honeyed flavours. Wow!