2011 Eva Fricke, Riesling “Seligmacher Lorchhauser” Rheingau, Germany.
This is a true Grand Cru style wine, a totally intense dry Riesling that is salty to the core and a true terroir showcased. Eva’s wines scream terroir and have a sense of place and soil that reflect her total commitment, and this Seligmacher Lorchhauser is a masterpiece. the dry verve and saline intensity is striking and the force of this Riesling on the palate is remarkable, even if it might be a shock to the system, but it will leave you begging for more, and hard core Riesling fans will delight in the purity of fruit without the sweetness many would expect to find. The 2011 wines have taken Eva Fricke to the top and will no doubt prove to be collectors items in the future, and this dry and focused wine has plenty of years ahead of it. The nose is bright with hints of lime and tropical fruit leading to a spicy, mineral laced palate of stingingly dry saline quality, like sea salt covered peaches and citrus fruits with a hint of green apple and lemon rind while a tangerine note lingers in the background. I would compare the vigor and feel to a Grand Cru Burgundy, but never ever forgetting this is classic Riesling with an extra dynamic charge, this is very sexy stuff.
($35 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive