2006 Monsheimer Silberberg Rieslaner Beerenauslese

The 2006 Monsheimer Silberberg Rieslaner Beerenauslese perfectly demonstrates the proclivity of this grape for shriveling and for retaining acidity, particularly considering Keller had only a few days prior to harvest planned to vinify a Spatlese! Grilled pineapple, grapefruit, wood smoke, cinnamon, coconut, and honey are laced with a slightly fungal aura of botrytis. A clear, pure, palate impression of dried apricots macerated in lemon, pineapple juice, and honey leads into a finish of almost overwhelming sweetness and yet rapier penetration. This will need at least half a dozen years in the cellar and has potential for twice as long a positive evolution. Klaus-Peter Keller says his grapes weren’t soft yet when the August rain hit, and he harvested late by local standards – from 6th-26th of October – by which time the nights were cool, which in his opinion preserved the aromas, warded-off botrytis, and allowed him to achieve normal crop levels, expressive ripeness and dry wines in the 11.9-13% alcohol range. Imported by Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644; also imported by Dee Vine Wines, San Francisco, CA; tel. (877) 389-9463