May 9, 2020 - Significantly more evolved than the 2011. More color, more honied. Still just light straw gold color. Had some RS, but underlying complexity. Be fun to have this next to that 06 Nikolaihof Smaragd.
Day 4 and While I feel it’s on a big slide down automatically, there is still this complexity on the palate, that I can’t get past. Some sandalwood-y notes. Finishes with some nuttiness that’s not too encouraging, but on the fourth day I’m finding some serious enjoyment in this wine.
March 31, 2018 - Decanted for 1h. Golden yellow. Petrol aromas with tart baked apples, herbs, and a hint of honeysuckle. Palate has more tart apples and citrus, followed by herbs, and some minerality. Nice acids, concentrated flavors and depth of flavors. Saved about a glass worth in a 187 ml bottle and opened on day 3. Even better. Richer in a good way with flavors even more concentrated, a pineapple notes comes through and more minerals. Everything is just a bit better. Definitely has many years to go.
October 6, 2017 - At pop and pour, developing petrol aromas. The wax on fake fruit. Getting deliciously mushroom to the nose. Palate is sooooo siiky. Acid is quite impressive, ABV shows at pop and pour. 12.9%ABV. Maturing white fruit on the palate. Showing a little dull at the moment. Opens up nicely after a couple hours. Still shows its body more than I’d desire. Lots of grape-iness to the palate.
Day 2 and the nose feels much more harmonious. Maturing petrol, grape and mushroom. Palate still has a substantive vibe. 12.9 just feels a bit too much for this wine.
April 14, 2015 - Maybe a touch of petrol on the nose but mostly apple, apple, and more apple all the way through the finish. Lightly corked?
October 18, 2014 - Pop and pour, petrol notes developing in the aromas. Along with red apple fruit. On the palate, this has really gained some weight. Feels more sweet tree fruit driven than very mineral and acid driven. Still has med/+ acid, but balanced out with all that fruit. Palate is showing some maturity with the fruit having more of a baking apple edge to it. Still has an underlying frostiness to the palate though. We'll just have to give this some time to open up.
September 21, 2011 - Loads of fruit at pop and pour. Pear and red apple intensity. Ripeness in the nose, with a floral under current. Lots of extract felt on the palate. Candied orange rind. Tonight this wine feels crammed full of complexity. Anise, chalk, cocoa, lemon lime. Really out of sight tonight. Not the impression, I had of this wine 4 months back.
May 15, 2011 - Apple and pear aromas with sweet lime fruits. Palate show really pretty glassy texture. Med+ acid. Ripeness of fruit on the palate. This is day2. Not quite the complexity of 08 or 07 right now,a but a very pretty wine with lots of fruit.
March 10, 2011 - Nice light, dry and crisp. Exactly what I'd want out of a riesling. Pears and apples on the palatte. Strong acid to complement food nicely.
February 10, 2011 - Light straw-green in color with aromas of green apple, citrus, honeydew and a hint of petrol. Tart green apple fruit with citrus finishing dry with refreshing acidity and a nice mineral note. A benchmark California Riesling that could take on the best of Alsace and give them a run for their money. Will continue to improve in the cellar for at least the next 25 years. Just over 300 cases produced so pick up some soon.
December 22, 2010 - Instense mineral, citrus, granny smith apple. Laser precision tears through the tongue. With time, riper, more forgiving fruit emerges: peach and melon. Nice crisp finish. Lay this one down for a while.