December 24, 2021 - This is still one of the best wines I have ever had. Honeyed but not overwhelmingly sweet.
November 24, 2019 - Fun to drink and everything a Riesling should be. Just not particularly layered or complex. Too young ? Had it with oysters on the half shell, fried oysters(!) and hit wings and fries!
September 11, 2019 - Incfedible wine. Spouse said she thought may have been aged in bourbon barrel. Not typical of any Aisles I've had before. Dense almost viscous on palate, and I felt pear was the predominant fruit. But So much more, dessert like wine. Realized I can't drink but a glass or two at a time. Highly recommended. I would have aged longer (it will go more!) but German corks don't have the staying power.
July 27, 2017 - Prior bottle was one year ago and tonight was yet another fantastic showing. Medium bodied (7.5% ABV) and opened at 47F, warming to 52F. Honey, clover/floral, peach and lemon on the nose, along with a background current of minerally acidity. Starts off with orchard fruit notes of golden apple, rich peach and soft pear then shifts to a brightening and deepening set of tropical notes (pineapple, guava, mango) and adds excellent finishing contrasts with lemon, tart orange and a wonderful mineral component. All this is set with a background of soft integrated honey and spices, fully in balance with the rest of the wine and excellent structural and contrasting acidity. My first bottle (July 2014) was clearly an aberration as the subsequent two (July 2016 and tonight) were truly something special. There's no need to wait as this wine is drinking quite well at present but given the fruit, acidity and overall balance, you should be able to hold this wine for many years to come.
September 18, 2016 - This is pretty amazing. It's really a dessert wine in most respects. It could certainly sit in for a dessert wine, and would be wonderful with a cheese course after a meal. The peach essence is the most prominent fruit and pear at a close second. It has a thick luscious mouth feel and just enough acid to keep it balanced and interesting.
I am going to let my last two bottles sit for a few more years to see what happens because it is not showing any signs of reaching a peak yet.
July 29, 2016 - Now this is what I was hoping for! Prior bottle of two years ago (July 2014) must have either been negative bottle variation or just in an odd spot as the bottle we opened tonight was simply fantastic. Very aromatic nose of apple, pear, floral and slate/stone/mineral notes. Medium bodied with intense richness and depth. Much better acidity than the prior bottle, to the degree that while there were some background honey notes, they never overwhelmed the wine as they did previously. Pure, but intense notes of peach and golden apple upfront, backed with pear and more tart citrus notes behind. Light spices and granite/slate notes on the lengthy finish. The biggest change from the prior bottle was the vibrant acidity and the more complex mid-body fruit. Based on how well this bottle showed, there's room for further improvement, to the degree I may actually buy some more.
June 7, 2016 - Had the last of the gold caps. The wine was again amazing, feeling like a nectar of the gods more than a earthly drink. Viscous and this time initially the fruit, peach again, seemed just a bit muted, but a glass had the following day showed it emerged more. Feel like there is some secondary flavors now. Again the cork came and issue as it was infiltrated 2/3 up yet still intact. Recommended. If the cork stayed in shape this will age for 10 years. I have only one left but it isn't the gold cap but the same designation, and i will try to stretch that one out for at least five more years.
September 30, 2015 - a 375 at the end of a nice meal with friends to go with custard almond pie. Very tasty and starting to be in the beginning of a very nice place -no TN but this was definitely less sweet tha previous bottles.
July 19, 2015 - The cork again stood up (yea!) but there was about 1/3 infiltration, which makes me want to consume my remaining bottles sooner rather than later. Bouquet of peach yet the taste was pear. Not as viscous as my first bottle in 2009, but that was a gold capsule wine and this is not. Back then I said wouldn't touch one for another 10 years but came up a bit short. Still, really decent wine. Sweetness reminds me of ice wine. No sharp edges, no sulphur odor, just pure delicious sweetness with predominant flavor of pears and lighter secondary of peaches. The wonderful sweet taste was not in any way cloying; it stayed for several seconds, then fades away and just left the fruit as reminder. Fellow drinkers commented on the deep golden color, and speculated if I gave them a urine sample instead. I prefer to keep then guessing. Had on a hot day so it warmed up quickly but as it did the flavors came out. Did not have luxury to taste over extended time so can't describe if wine was evolving; my guess it might have a bit. Recommended and now have 1 of this wine and 1 gold capsule. I think there was a mixup in my order(s), as the first bottles I received were gold caps and the second wasn't. The main difference between the two is the gold cap had this elixir like viscosity that was amazing. Age 10 years more but is drinking really well right now at its 10 year mark. Serve this wine well chilled then let it slowly warm up to experience the change and intensification of flavor.
July 23, 2014 - Peach, pear and slate on the nose. Intense honey notes at first, almost like a sauternes rather than a riesling. Gets more and more pear and apple notes as it warms to go with the honey and spice. Also picks up a bit of slate on the finish. Seemed a little lacking in acidity at first, but as it warmed, the intensity shone through. This wine is still quite a bit on the young side which surprised me. Should improve and gain complexity and open up a bit more in time.