Alfred Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese #10

Enjoyed over three days evolving from day to day. Like getting three wines for the price of one. Color caught me off guard, looking more advanced than expected, showing light amber, checked cork, wet 2/3 up the side. Nose Beez wax, dried orange oil. White flowers, hint of oxidation which blew off after 15 minutes. Palate reminds me of a well aged Quarts de Chaume. Components were all at their brightest. An electric beam of acidity runs through this. Entry …

This bottle left me with more questions than answers. Tasted in a casual setting, it likely didn’t get the attention it deserved. It felt alive yet oddly subdued, like it was holding something back. The sweetness was clear but not overbearing, balanced by just enough acidity—though I was hoping for more brightness. Flavors leaned into candied apple and hints of honeyed fruit. The color suggested oxidation, but the palate stayed fresh. Was it great? Not quite. Was it fun, unexpected, …

In a word - Wow. It isn’t very often that a wine “wows” me anymore, but this one did. This is a grapefruit reduction with acid and supporting RS but the structure keeps this from seeming sweet despite its modest alcohol. This has a finish that lasts more than a minute and it is sooo pleasurable. Absolutely zero signs of age and will hold for a long time I think. Will hold my remaining bottles for at least 10 yrs. …

Well, this was quite a dazzler. Finely tuned and pumped up flavors with terrific balance. Meatier than your typical Spatlese. Very impressive!

AP # 005 15. Pop and pour. This was the second BA they made (after 1976), and they made a whole Fuder of it. NB - there was a ring of tartrates at the bottom of the bottle. Orange-gold. Classical aromas here - saffron-botrytis, super-ripe red skinned peach, lots of delicate flowery honey (orange flower, bergamot?) Really fine texture, silky and rounded and not overly sweet, with some spice in the midpalate. Long on the finish, with flowers and peach …

Just Fantastic! Upon release this was an unruly Monster. The acidity was so piercing that you could feel the enamel melting off your teeth. A decade has mellowed this effect leaving behind a treasure. Nose is dominated by Pulverized slate, tingling lifting acidity, floral notes, Bergamot with base notes of Grizzled botrytis adding a peppery note. On the palate the acidity still tingles on the tip of your tongue but, the rich dense fruit that comes in waves offsets this …

Lost of minerals and slate. I didn't get a full note on this, but I remember not loving this - it didn't seem to have the lightness and balance that I loved in the 12's I think - maybe a little burly and not integrated?

One of the most elegant BAs I have ever tasted. It had a bit of a shroud of botrytis that needs some additional time to integrate, but overall it was fruity, long and very well balanced.

Blind Pinots and Syrahs at David's (Enfield, CT) : So elegant, pure and delicate for a Beerenauslese. The botrytis is certainly quite noticeable with a strong spicy/honeyed scent, but there's such amazing purity and clarity to the layers of fresh Riesling fruit, florality, and minerality beneath. It's certainly intensely rich and sweet, but there's the powerful acidity of the vintage balancing it and keeping it remarkably light on its feet at the same time. Fantastic Riesling.

Brilliant lime and honey nose with a hint of botrytis, dense and very long but also light and readily gulpable with bright but well-integrated acidity. Lasted well in the fridge for a week.

Spring 2012 Terry Theise/WineWise/The Vienna Wine Co Tasting Part I: Germany (The General's Residence, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California) : Light green-tinged yellow color; ripe peach, green apple nose; tasty, ripe peach, ripe lime palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points

Spicy nose. Light and not sugary. Sweet tart in character. Impressive producer. Very good.

2010 Vintage Germany and Austria: Terry Theise and WineWise/The Vienna Wine Company Trade Tasting (Hawthorne Room, Golden Gate Club, San Francisco Presidio, California) : Light yellow color; tart peach, green fruit nose; tart peach, lime palate; medium-plus finish