Notes from recent tastings with family and friends.
2005 Rudi Pichler Riesling Smaragd AchleitenFresh and subtle on the nose. Reminiscent of lime, white flowers and wet rock. Clear lines, indication of great depth.
The juicy, harmonically integrated acidity and the highly aromatic tannins create a powerful structure, without any heaviness, similar to a Gothic cathedral. The minerality demonstrates a complexity and depth which is rarely seen. - To me Rudi Pichler's Achleiten is a benchmark in the area of puristic, dry Riesling.
1996 Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese 3-starShows impressive viscosity in the glass. (like a Beerenauslese)
Crystal-clear minerality on the nose. Reminds me of the cool freshness of a sunny morning in the mountains.
Floral notes, passion fruit, mango, green tea on the palate - all permeated by a multi-dimensional, omnipresent acidity that can be brought forth only in extreme vintages. - The successful 96 Rieslings from Germany are among the most impressive Rieslings that I know, in particular with respect to their unique structure.
2006 Vollenweider Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling BeerenausleseThe technical data is a blatant warning for light wine drinkers:
The content of residual sugar is 342g/liter, the dry extract is 68g/liter. Imagine this wine's viscosity ..
Very rich on the nose with yellow peach, plum, fresh figs, honey, beeswax, botrytis, burnt sugar and smoky minerality.
These impressions are confirmed on the palate. Thanks to its highly aromatic acidity this massive wine is still fresh and racy - a truly great experience.
Best regards,
Rainer