2013 Weingut Donnhoff, Riesling “Norheimer Dellchen” Auslese Goldkapsel, Nahe Germany. (7.5% Alc.)
In a world obsessed by dry wine, it is hard to put into poetic words just how fantastic this sweet Auslese really is, and how amazingly divine, it is not just a sweet wine, this is one of the most complex and layered wines on earth with the added bonus that is drinkable as a table wine. The balance and detail on Donnhoff’s Norheimer Dellchin is mind blowing and could change everything again, this wine defies classification. While I admit to following the dry/trocken trend and love the Grosses Gewachs, especially Donnhoff’s from this same vineyard, their latest Spatlese and Auslese have been magical, plus I adore Selbach-Oster’s Mosel Auslese weight single block wines like his “Schmitt” Zeltinger Schlossberg, these modern sweet/weighted Rieslings are just as important to follow and are probably some of the most age-worthy and collectable wines being made in Germany if not the whole world. The 2013 Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchin Auslese bursts from the glass with energy and vigor with sea salt, mineral spice, white roses and tropical essences leading to a full and lush palate of honeyed pear, lime sorbet, golden apples, kumquat, pineapple and mango along with lemon zest and orange notes while in the background hints of flint, peach pit and wild mint hover round. The sweetness is refreshing and doesn’t feel heavy at this stage, this is a very young wine, this baby can cellar for another decade easy before giving anything like full potential, so be patient and put a lock and key on this ultra gorgeous Riesling, though that said this wine would be stunning young with Asian cuisine and or smoked/cured pork. This is great stuff, absolutely one of the best wines of the vintage, I’m certain, drink from 2018-2028.
($87 Est. 750ml) 97 Points, grapelive