2016 Zeppwingert Riesling

From eight terraces with vines that are 100+ years old, the 2016 Enkircher Zeppwingert Riesling is pure, intense, fresh and fine on the nose, showing ripe and concentrated yet clear and minerally fruit with notes of crushed stones. Full-bodied, round and complex on the palate, with fine acidity and delicate tannins, this is a very elegant, textured, pure and salty Riesling with a powerful, concentrated and greatly structured finish. The finish is so fine, fresh and salty as well as very long and stimulating. It drinks perfectly today and will continue to do so during the next 15 to 20 years, perhaps even longer. Raised on the lees until late August, this is probably the finest Zeppwingert I have ever tasted. A great combination of lush richness, complex purity, elegance and finesse. Total production: 1,000 liters.

Like the corresponding Zollturm, this is extremely dry and weighs in at 12% alcohol. Scents of orange and grapefruit peel, cress and tarragon set the tone for a piquant, incisive palate impression. Yet the texture is downright caressingly silken, and a generous influx of citrus and white peach juiciness delivers a finishing fruit intensity and a degree of refreshment that I hadn’t anticipated from a Riesling with only two grams of residual sugar, not to mention impressive sheer length. Cooling aspects of green herbs as well as an undertone of wet stone lend further appeal and help generate fascinating counterpoint.