2015 Weingut Muller-Catoir, Riesling Kabinett, Haardt Gimmeldingen, Pfalz Germany.
The beautiful and opulent Muller-Catoir Gimmeldingen Kabinett, grown organically on sandstone, sand, gravel and loess soils, is lush and sexy off dry Riesling with wonderful vintage density and ripe flavors, honestly this wine has a very Spatlese presence and feel about it, but with fine balance and lovely texture. The Pfalz terroir shines through with rich yellow fruits, chalky stoniness, light petroly/mineral tones and loads of extract as well as a delicate array of spices and lifting acidity. The sweetness forms a gorgeous mouth creaminess without being cloying, very much like the best of Selbach-Oster’s in the Mosel, this Muller-Catoir 2015 showcases the near perfect of the year in giving glorious openness and layered fruit along with fine detail and energy, what a great summer wine, it’s very impressive and should drink well for ages. The nose starts with white flowers, tropical essences, briny notes and stone fruits with a hint of diesel/mineral oil and orange leading to a rounded palate that still expresses a bit of baby fat decadence with apricot/peach flesh, minty lime, melon and tangerine sorbet, grey sea salt/chalk and subtle honeyed sweetness plus tangy white cherry, mango/pineapple and verbena. This is well crafted Riesling that is both vibrant and slinky, it’s a great value and should prove rewarding for 10 or 15 years, another winner imported by Terry Theise and Skurnik Wines, this is a wine to chase down, no doubt.
($26 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive