2018 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel

Mosel Fine Wines: The 2018er Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese GK was made from shrivelled rather than botrytized fruit, and was fermented down to noblesweet levels of residual sugar. It offers a ripe but still rather backward nose made of honeyed fig, earthy spices, almond paste, and smoky elements. The wine proves gorgeously juicy and fruity on the still rather sweet palate, and leaves a superbly multi-layered feel of almond paste, fig, lemongrass, and spices. A touch of zest comes through in the after-taste and adds to the complex and layered sensation. This remarkably elegant wine only needs patience to absorb its sweetness and reveal its finesse. 2033-2058. - Okt. 2019

Vinous: In contrast with this year’s “regular” Himmelreich Auslese, this gold capsule interpretation evokes the citricity that I associate with the site. Headily scented, glossy and lusciously rich, it is at the same time cooling and refreshing, evoking a lime and grapefruit sorbet infused with Chartreuse-like floral and herbal essences. At the same time, quince paste, marzipan and overripe honeydew melon, reinforced by prominent sweetness, weigh in on the confitured, confectionary and decadent side. The impressively persistent finish is soothingly sustained and pure, if not quite so multifaceted for now as that of the corresponding Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. - David Schildknecht, Aug. 2020