White peach, pear and floral notes on the nose. Close to medium bodied (8% ABV) with white apple and slightly more tart white pear upfront. Gains density through the middle, adding in white peach and then yellow peach with some background tropical qualities that became more and more dominant the longer it was open. There was richness, but not overt sweetness as the tropical notes were mostly white, trending to yellow fruit, but with enough acidity behind to provide balance. The combination of acidity and tart, white pear/apple on the backside provided good contrast as well as structure. The acidity, while not vibrant, was still a solid presence and supports the fruit well. This wine should continue to improve and show well over the next several years.
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SO nails it.. and ZS seems like SO's best vineyard. Slightest hint of petrol but dominant tropical fruit, honey, with a piercing acidity to keep the sweetness in balance. Paired with some japanese curry, then sipped the rest while watching a movie.. works both ways. for $24 it's a good deal.
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Drinking much better than my first bottle 6 months ago. Seems to have found its focus. Super concentrated yet full of tension and precision. White cherries, peaches and golden delicious apples galore on the palate. Very tasty stuff.
Open about 42 hours. Didn't get a note on it when opened, but the wine is showing about the same. The nose is quite ripe with red apple, some peach and sweet lime in the background. The fruit is augmented by notes of cool spices and mineral/slate - very pure back there and well balanced. The spices are nutmeg and allspice. White grapes and honey. This is ripe on the palate, and a little bit soft in the middle going into the finish - it's missing the acidity I look for (and was missing it when opened). The palate opens with the apple and honey, and moves into the lime on the midpalate. The spices come out in the end, and the solid finish shows spices, lime, apple and a bit of minerality. This isn't heavy - it's just missing a fair amount of oomph, due to the lack of enough acidity for my taste. Disappointing compared to the bottle I had at the winery - not sure why. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 4.5/6, Finish - 4/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 14.5/20.
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Finally got around to trying a 2012. Followed this bottle over 2 days. At its best 3-4 hours after I opened it. Super rich with red apples, sweet cherries and pineapple on the palate. Smoky mineral in the background. Racy acidity and fine length. There is a ton of concentration here and at times it does appear a bit overripe so this would definitely benefit from some good time in the cellar for the fruit to tone down a bit. 90-92+
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(8% alcohol) Sweeter and softer than the regular Spatlese. Serious minerality and more transparent with lime, and some spice at the end of the nose. Similar on palate - mineral, lime and then sweet peach and spice. This is from the rockier part and thus 'crisper'. Crisp, spicy and mineral finish. Delicious. When I asked Johannes why he designated this at the starred Spatlese from the Sonnenuhr he said, "I like this better." I can't argue with that. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 5/6, Finish - 5.5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1.5/2 = 17/20.
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11/26/2023 - thalver wrote:
Drinking well, sweetness has abated a good bit, nice balance, ample acid.
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7/21/2023 - winchester-xi Likes this wine:
Consult the note below. Drinking beautifully.
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4/4/2022 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points
White peach, pear and floral notes on the nose. Close to medium bodied (8% ABV) with white apple and slightly more tart white pear upfront. Gains density through the middle, adding in white peach and then yellow peach with some background tropical qualities that became more and more dominant the longer it was open. There was richness, but not overt sweetness as the tropical notes were mostly white, trending to yellow fruit, but with enough acidity behind to provide balance. The combination of acidity and tart, white pear/apple on the backside provided good contrast as well as structure. The acidity, while not vibrant, was still a solid presence and supports the fruit well. This wine should continue to improve and show well over the next several years.
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8/5/2021 - Vas19 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really nice, especially on day 2
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3/10/2021 - christyler wrote:
In a nice place, but I’d prefer with more age. Still quite primary and sweet. Nice acidity at first, but with an hour of air it got flabby.
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9/4/2018 - MikeATL Likes this wine: 93 Points
Crisp, complex, and fairly rich, an excellent wine.
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7/18/2018 - jayw Likes this wine:
Ripe tropical fruit and apple, lime, honey, slaty minerality. Great balance, medium body, sensuous mouthfeel, drinking well right now.
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1/25/2015 - mye Likes this wine: 91 Points
SO nails it.. and ZS seems like SO's best vineyard.
Slightest hint of petrol but dominant tropical fruit, honey, with a piercing acidity to keep the sweetness in balance. Paired with some japanese curry, then sipped the rest while watching a movie.. works both ways. for $24 it's a good deal.
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7/12/2014 - pifcho Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking much better than my first bottle 6 months ago. Seems to have found its focus. Super concentrated yet full of tension and precision. White cherries, peaches and golden delicious apples galore on the palate. Very tasty stuff.
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3/19/2014 - Seth Rosenberg wrote: 89 Points
Open about 42 hours. Didn't get a note on it when opened, but the wine is showing about the same. The nose is quite ripe with red apple, some peach and sweet lime in the background. The fruit is augmented by notes of cool spices and mineral/slate - very pure back there and well balanced. The spices are nutmeg and allspice. White grapes and honey. This is ripe on the palate, and a little bit soft in the middle going into the finish - it's missing the acidity I look for (and was missing it when opened). The palate opens with the apple and honey, and moves into the lime on the midpalate. The spices come out in the end, and the solid finish shows spices, lime, apple and a bit of minerality. This isn't heavy - it's just missing a fair amount of oomph, due to the lack of enough acidity for my taste. Disappointing compared to the bottle I had at the winery - not sure why. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 4.5/6, Finish - 4/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 14.5/20.
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12/24/2013 - pifcho Likes this wine: 91 Points
Finally got around to trying a 2012. Followed this bottle over 2 days. At its best 3-4 hours after I opened it. Super rich with red apples, sweet cherries and pineapple on the palate. Smoky mineral in the background. Racy acidity and fine length. There is a ton of concentration here and at times it does appear a bit overripe so this would definitely benefit from some good time in the cellar for the fruit to tone down a bit. 90-92+
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10/24/2013 - Seth Rosenberg Likes this wine: 94 Points
(8% alcohol) Sweeter and softer than the regular Spatlese. Serious minerality and more transparent with lime, and some spice at the end of the nose. Similar on palate - mineral, lime and then sweet peach and spice. This is from the rockier part and thus 'crisper'. Crisp, spicy and mineral finish. Delicious. When I asked Johannes why he designated this at the starred Spatlese from the Sonnenuhr he said, "I like this better." I can't argue with that. Nose - 5/6, Palate - 5/6, Finish - 5.5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1.5/2 = 17/20.
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