Muller-Catoir, Haardter Herrenletten Riesling Spatlese, Pfalz

#14-02, 11.5% abv, #2128. Quite good, as all the 2001 M�ller-Catoirs are, but this seems to be getting to be a hair long in the tooth. Less cut, and almost veering towards a bit of a Sp�tlese trocken with the breadth and weight of the wine. Slight oiliness, but tons of fresh green herb notes here. Quite distinctive as far as German riesling goes, with that weight and tropical fruit profile. The alcohol does pack quite a punch on this.

Drinking well now, but porobably drinking well now is the correc move. Nose is reticent, hints of petrol and green apple. Palate shows that '01 acidity, it's still here, but more subtle in this wine. This doesn't have the stuffing of some recent '01s (Prum). It is a pretty wine, with some apricot and apple sweetness. It is a little hollow in the middle, and the first 30 minutes were the best.

#14-02, 11.5% abv, #2128. Undrinkably oxidized.

Beautiful, taut, vibrant, rich. Great nose and fabulous structure.

Lightest petrol nose, shows a bit of color that seems to fade slightly with air; What a pretty wine, with good density of layered flavors, showing red apple, peach pit, hint of apricot and dried pineapple, beautiful acidity. Still very youthful, should last, develop and become even more interesting for many more years, but drinks very nicely now. Second night: virtually no change, holding beautifully, perhaps even more interesting and complex, with a background hint of minerality to balance the …

pop and pour, paired with easter fare. on its own, fuzzy/zingy acidity, nice minerality, tons of baked apple, petrol, and classic riesling spice. lacked the balance and grace i like in riesling, but still very tasty. with food it was much better. came back to it about 2 hours later after it had warmed, and it was a completely different animal. still zingy acidity, but tons of cream and coconut juice aromas and flavors. i did like this wine, but …

Comes across surprisingly advanced for an '01; bright gold in colour with developing smoky and fusel notes over rich white fruited flavours and touches of spice. Very ripe and sweet, but nicely balanced with bright acids underneath. Lovely.

Lovely wine. Ripe white fruit with nice acidity on the mid-palate.

Gaining a little amber color since release. Grapefruit, apricots, and pears on the nose, which follow through on the palate. Tangerine peel and a hint of toffee chime in. Acid livens things up, along with a hint of effervesence Very good wine but the angels aren't singing. Served with deepfired quails brined in a chili infusion, plus a spicy tofu and pork dish.

Yum, yum! This is a flat out gorgeous wine. Great tropical sweetness still, but acidity that allowed this to shine with lobster tails in butter. I have one more, but I wish I had gone long on this wine.

Nose of citrus and flowers, broad on the palate but with that racy 2001 acidity. I know this was supposed to be the beginning on an off- period for M-C, but you can't tell it from this bottle. Red fruits, lime, and peaches, a kind of chalky minerality, this has a long way to go but is tasty now. A-/B+

Dinner at Peking Duck House with Dale and the Raos (NYC) : Very nice. Clean clear and silky. Lively with wonderful acid and a touch of spritz. B+

Great Riesling that was surprisingly open and accessible. Almost no development yet and no discernible petrol notes. Medium to full-bodied for a riesling, but maintaining superb definition and cut by the perfectly ripe acidity and the well-judged sweetness. My first Müller-Catoior, and certainly not my last...