2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese Versteigerung Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer (0,75l)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese Versteigerung, Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch

The 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese – Versteigerung – offers a clear, intense and mineral-laced bouquet of very ripe but elegant fruit aromas that indicate a certain percentage of botrytis, surely the highest proportion of the three Doctor Spätlesen from 2016. Racy, lush and elegant, with remarkable finesse, freshness and noble sweet fruit that doesn't leave the palate even in the aftertaste, this tight and well-structured Spätlese is the richest of the trio but, ultimately, not the finest. It can easily age for 20 to 30+ years and probably should to integrate the sweetness and calm down the vibrant raciness a bit. This is AP #8, and it was a auctioned in Trier in September 2017 for 65 euros (excluding VAT and taxes). Tasted March 2018. - Stephan Reinhardt, Apr. 2018

Mosel Fine Wines - 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese Versteigerung, Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch

This develops a rather reduced nose of quince, almond, herbs and spices. It proves nicely playful on the palate, where the wine develops the creamy presence of a light Auslese. The finish is nicely fresh and quite juicy but also still rather backward. As so often with Doctor wines, patience will be, once again, a necessary virtue to see this Riesling blossom. 2031-2056 - Aug. 2017

Vinous - 2016 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese Versteigerung, Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch

Fermentative aromas stubbornly veil the nose, though decadent lily perfume and scents of musk as well as of very ripe pear emerge from behind. Delicate and subtly creamy, the midpalate harbors more than enough primary fresh fruit juiciness to carry into a downright refreshing finish that is remarkably transparent to floral, stony and saline nuances. This auctioned bottling (representing a 500-liter half-fuder) is a model of precision, focus and freshness such as a Doctor Riesling too seldom displays, and once the nose shapes up, it will be utterly superb (though, to be sure, worth cellaring). - David Schildknecht, Jan. 2018