1998 Weingut Kruger-Rumpf, Riesling Spatlese, Dorsheimer Burgberg, Nahe Germany.
What a wonderful surprise, getting to re-visit a mature Kruger-Rumpf in it’s prime, a huge thank you to Joe Young for sharing his treasure, this wine is still available from Terry Theise and Wine Wise and it is tasting wonderful with glorious delicacy and sublime balance, grace and a touch of old funk. It was a pleasure to be asked to open this 1998 Dorsheimer Burgberg even if the wet cork made it a careful chore, if you do find some of this fine and pretty Riesling be sure to use a an Ah-So or be very gentle with your wine key as not to flake the cork into your wine, but after that was accomplished everything was smooth sailing and the Kruger-Rumpf was ready to sing! The nose is heavenly with rose petal, rose oil, lemony tones, wild mushrooms, honeycomb, flinty spice and burnt orange leading to a remarkably light palate, silken and dryish with baked peach, white tea, dried pineapple, apricot and tangy mixed citrus marmalade along with wet river stones and faint mineral traces plus a very behind the scenes petrol fumes note, but non intrusive. Lingering earth, honey and mango add to the magic in this joyous Riesling expression and experience. This bottle seemed a bit peaky, no more age required on this one, especially as you are hard pressed to feel any sugar or extract, this is where it should be and delivers dreamy texture and flavors that please an impression of wilted flowers and the beginning of winter, like a gorgeous sunset it is fading out with style!
($48 Est.) 92-94 Points, grapelive