2018 Nierstein PETTENTHAL Riesling Grosses Gewächs Q.b.A. trocken Versteigerung Klaus Peter Keller, Rheinhessen

Mosel Fine Wines - 2018 Nierstein PETTENTHAL Riesling Grosses Gewächs Q.b.A. trocken Versteigerung, Klaus Peter Keller

The 2018er Niersteiner Pettenthal Riesling Trocken GG is still quite under the impact of its spontaneous fermentation and recent bottling, as it first only shows some smoky scents of bacon and whipped almond cream. It is only after some extensive airing that the wine reveals its subtle complexity but also its ripeness as scents of yellow fruits, pear, apple, malt, apple, lime, and mint emerge from the glass. It proves quite energetic and straight on the palate, and leaves a beautiful herbal and zesty feel in the very long and spicy finish. This gorgeous dry Riesling is still a baby, and will need quite some aging before true greatness. 2028-2048

Vinous - 2018 Nierstein PETTENTHAL Riesling Grosses Gewächs Q.b.A. trocken Versteigerung, Klaus Peter Keller

The dazzlingly multifaceted aromatic display here incorporates iris, orange blossom, lime, kumquat, white peach, sea breeze and smoky, flinty, dusty crushed stone. The feel is subtly glossy but firm. Piquancy, smokiness, salinity and zest that were promised on the nose reemerge with impressive force, building into a finish of explosive intensity that delivers showers of stone and ocean spray, augmented by electro-charged tongue-tingling citrus, biting peppercorn and mustard seed. At the same time – as with this year’s Hipping – the wine unfailingly refreshes with a torrent of sheer juice. As usual, this bottling was auctioned – achieving a price that you and I would probably prefer not to even contemplate. I’d be very surprised if this wine does not decisively defy prevailing standards of longevity for Grosse Gewächse. - David Schildknecht, Nov. 2020