2011 - Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Lieser

Thomas Haag’s 2011 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese A.P. #11 offers a luscious alliance of extremely ripe Persian melon and honeydew with liquid floral essences on a creamy, delicate, overtly sweet palate. This displays if anything even more polish and delicacy (as well as greater sweetness) than the corresponding Niederberg Helden, but not quite that wine’s infectious juiciness or savory salinity. Plan on following this Juffer-Sonnenuhr through at least 2030, and anticipate its being more expressive in ten years than it is today. Thomas Haag didn’t begin harvesting until October 3 – immediately before which, he says, it was too hot – and then picked for 23 straight days. He has every reason to complement the ripe yet filigree results, a description that, happily, applies almost as much to his dry as to his residually sweet bottlings. Except for his two Grosse Gewachs – bottled in May – and a Niederberg Helden T.B.A. that was still fermenting as of last autumn, all of Thomas Haag’s 2011s were bottled already in March and April following harvest. Importer: Rudi Wiest, Cellars International, Carlsbad, CA; tel. (800) 596-9463

Elegant aromas of cherry, apple blossom and hazelnut. Sweet and creamy on the palate, which is strongly tinged with herbs, nuts and vanilla. Offers fine balance and a nice underlying sense of slate. Finishes with pleasing length.