Heymann-Löwenstein Schieferterrassen Riesling 2011 (Mosel, Germany)
13%, Screwcap, $44 (retail)
Source: Wine List

It’s a source of annoyance that we pay $40+ for this Riesling when it can be picked up for less than €20 overseas (where it is a cult-ish Riesling). Them’s the breaks when we pay 40% tax…

Even at $44, however, this is a delicious Riesling. It’s full, reductive and a little stinky initially, but that full gold colour hints at the the wonderful, pineapple and peach juice driven palate underneath. Real good.

The antitheses to bone-jarring dry, modern Australian Riesling, what makes this so good is that match of peach skin fruit ripeness with chewy phenolic grip, winemaking derived textural fullness and cool Mosel acidity, all delivering something rich, enticing and smashable (I finished the bottle easily).

Perhaps the only criticism is that it’s still a basic QbA and, as a result, lacks a little purity. Shit-hot booze regardless.

Drink: 2013-2020+
Score: 17.8/20, 92/100
Would I buy it? Without question.