2018 - Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese Feinherb, Hofgut Falkenstein

This issues from the same parcel (nickname: Meyer Nepal) of old, relatively high-altitude vines in quartz-rich slate as did Hofgut Falkenstein’s A.P. #11 of 2016 and 2017 (though the latter was bottled as Kabinett feinherb). The nose offers not only coolingly mint-laced apple and lime but also a suggestion of urchin roe. Bright, luscious juiciness well supported by subtle sweetness, and intriguing animal and mineral notes follow on a polished palate. The vibrant finish is infectiously juicy, electrically tingling, bell-clear and focused, with subtle marine salinity as well as a persistence of that umami-rich impression of urchin serving to stimulate the salivary glands. (This is the wine – there is just one each vintage – half of which the Webers bottled in magnums.)

The 2018 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb (AP 03) is just one of eight (!) different Herrenberg bottlings from the 2018 vintage. This is pure, deep, fresh and mineral on the terribly complex nose with its finely slatey notes. Lush, round and generous but salty, piquant and fresh, with lingering salinity and great tension, this is a fascinating, elegant, intense and complex Herrenberg predominantly from the Palm plot. This tastes almost "natural" on the palate. Tasted in June 2019.