2011 Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Grosses Gewachs

The Emrich-Schonleber 2011 Monzinger Fruhlingsplatzchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs mingles fresh peach, red currant, pink grapefruit and passion fruit with piquant toasted nuts and fruit pit in a penetrating aromatic display as well as a polished and broadly expansive yet juicy and buoyant palate performance. Smoky, stony notes add counterpoint to the multifaceted and piquantly sustained finish of a Riesling apt to reward at least 6-8 years of attention. Veteran Werner Schonleber stresses the role played in 2011’s high quality by tiny drought-impacted berries as well as, naturally, the growing season’s early start; generally cool nighttime temperatures; and five weeks of ideal weather from mid-September on. That small berry size obviated any green harvest, but there was a substantial “pre-harvest” of Riesling – destined largely for generic bottlings – from September 26, with the two Pinots being picked immediately thereafter. The main harvest for Riesling commenced October 3, lasting for two weeks. Like many estates, botrytis arrived here directly on the heels of the heavy rain that fell around September 10-12, but dried to ideal purity and fineness to serve for ennobling concentration without overtly fungal character or less desirable concurrent infections. Imported by Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608 9644; also imported by Dee Vine Wines, San Francisco, CA tel. (877) 389- 9463