2018 Westhofen BRUNNENHÄUSCHEN Abts E Riesling Grosses Gewächs Q.b.A. trocken Klaus Peter Keller, Rheinhessen

Mosel Fine Wines - 2018 Westhofen BRUNNENHÄUSCHEN Abts E Riesling Grosses Gewächs Q.b.A. trocken, Klaus Peter Keller

The 2018er Abts E®, as it is referred to on the consumer label, comes from the Abtserde (hence the “Abts E®” play o n word), which is a prime sector of the Westhofener Brunnenhäuschen vineyard. It proves still on the reductive and primary side as scents of grilled citrus, grapefruit and herbs dominate the nose at first. After some airing, more refined and fruitier notes of orange blossom, lime, Indian spices, tangerine and yellow peach join the party. The wine still proves on the herbal and fresh side on the palate, and leaves a primary sense of tartness in the hugely long and herbal finish. The after-taste shows is both intense and sharp. This is clearly classic stuff in the making, but one that will need a solid decade to fully blossom. 2033-2048. - Okt. 2019

Vinous - 2018 Westhofen BRUNNENHÄUSCHEN Abts E Riesling Grosses Gewächs Q.b.A. trocken, Klaus Peter Keller

A high-toned, penetrating aromatic display features mint, thyme, iris, honeysuckle, zesty lime and prominently pit-inflected white peach. Shades of this year’s Hubacker: The palate impression here is almost shocking for its sheer lusciousness of fruit, with drippingly ripe honeydew melon joining the peach and lime. Not that this beauty is wanting for Abtserde-typical inner-mouth floral perfume, or for a mineral dimension; a mouthwatering savor akin to raw scallop incorporates salt, chalk and iodine nuances. It’s just that it boasts a generosity of forward fruit and a torrent of primary juiciness as well. A silken feel adds to the wine’s seductive appeal. Musky floral, salty mineral and lusciously fruity elements play against one another on a vibrant, sensationally sustained finish that tugs at the salivary glands and leaves the taster both invigorated and refreshed. This should for many years stand as a high point of its vintage as well as of the Grosses Gewächs genre. - David Schildknecht, Nov. 2020