2009 Zilliken Riesling Spatlese Rausch Erste Lage (Saar)
Whew! Finally back in the tasting note saddle. I'm not 100% yet (far from it - it was only today that I could first smell oregano & cumin again), but after 6 weeks of zero or near zero sense of smell (brought on by a concussion suffered while rappelling - luckily it wasn't worse) I finally feel like I can convey somewhat meaningful impressions. Right now, young, bright wines are the best for me, and this bottle is no exception. I do get a little citrus fruit and saline minerality on the nose (still struggling there), but on the palate the fireworks go off. This is rich, but very well balanced, with layers of fruit and minerals that just keep coming in wave after wave. It is rather sweet, so sugar-phobes beware, but my oh my does it finish clean. The minerality just hangs on the palate.
Is it time to hit the mountains again? Maybe not just yet.
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