Salil wrote:
> Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2005 (Mosel)
> Another big hit for one of my favourite producers in the Mosel area.
> The Merkelbach Spatlesen I've tasted before have been incredibly light
> and pure, and this is no different. The nose is quiet, understated and
> subtle but oh so elegant, with lots of apple, lime, citrus, peach,
> slate and flowers. More of the same flavours follow on the palate with
> some cherry and faint honeyed notes also coming through, but what's
> amazing is the texture and mouthfeel - this is literally like having
> silk sliding over your tongue. Falls away a bit at the finish, but
> it's still amazingly good value (picked this up at about $18, and I'd
> happily buy more).
>
> Schafer Frohlich Riesling halbtrocken 2006 (Nahe)
> I opened this early in the evening and the nose was completely
> dominated by sulphur. Poured a glass and let it sit a while while
> putting the bottle back in the fridge. An hour later, it was much more
> accessible. The nose is quite austere with some minerals, citrus
> fruits and a herbal/minty note, but it's very pleasant on the palate
> where it's very forward, clean and precise with plenty of acidity,
> steely minerality, more lemon and citrus notes and a medium length
> finish. Solid value (also around the same price range as the
> Merkelbach - although I'd buy that ahead of this without any doubt the
> next time).

Great notes, Salil. Thanks! For me, sulfur is often a problem with
very young German Rieslings, especially as you go up in Prädikat. What
was the apparent sweetness of the Spätlese? Off-dry? Drier? Sweeter?
Just curious, as I don't know the wines of this producer.

Mark Lipton
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