2011 Weingut Selbach-Oster, Riesling “Anrecht” Zeltinger Himmelreich, Mosel, Germany.
One of the great white wines of the world, the Selbach-Oster Anrecht compares with Hermitage & Batard-Montrachet, though it might get overlooked by mainstream consumers it certainly ranks up there with some of the best values in top echelon of wine. The 2011 Anrecht might be the best white wine I’ve tasted this year and looks set to become a legendary Riesling of majestic proportions and offers a dizzying array of layers and amazing balance of extract, acidity and sweetness making for a wine that transcends definitions and expectations. This Riesling is as cerebral as a Red Burgundy and as joyous as the best vintage Champagne with everything a great wine should be and more. The 2011 Anrecht is a masterpiece, and Johannes Selbach’s talents shine through with every sip as does the glory of this block of vines in Zeltinger Himmelreich on the steep slopes above the Mosel, there is pure terroir and elegance in this vintage with stony minerallity, flinty spice, briny saline adding complexity to the vast fruit core. The nose starts with citrus flowers, mint and kiwi leading to slate and smoky notes before diving into the palate of white peach, pineapple, lime and green apple with apricot and honeyed grapefruit as well. The zesty acidity is riveting and the chalky mineral notes stay in the background while tangerine and tropical essences linger on finish that goes on forever. Sadly, it is very hard to put words together to really give the true pleasure delivered by this fantastic wine, I just suggest you get a few bottles and see for yourself, plus I highly recommend that you hold a bottle for a decade, the rewards look very promising.
($40 Est.) 96+ Points, grapelive
Avail at www.sfwtc.com ($39.95)