2008 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Rheinhessen (9/29/2015)
This is a large-scaled Spätlese with a tropical fruit focus, almost to the point of ripe Scheurebe fruit, with lots of peach, mango and papya elements. Where it stands out is the added non-fruit elements, as the mid-palate and finish have mint and green tea elements that make for a very complex impression. There is still so much density to the wine that it's hard to see any underlying minerality, but the balance of fruity sweetness and pungent acidity mean that the wine cannot age for a long time. Seven years under screw cap (well, more like 6 from bottling) and there is no sign of anything reductive, just a beautiful Spätlese developing along a predictable curve.
