2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese

The 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese is very precise and intense on the concentrated and fleshy, deep and firmly structured, mineral and herbal nose. Round and generous on the palate, this is a sweet, piquant and salty, very intense and juicy Auslese that needs 10-15 years to get rid of its baby fat. Very promising. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.

Heady and head-spinningly diverse floral perfume, nut pastes and pit fruit preserves inform the nose and the luscious, glossy, creamy, delicate palate of this beauty. Nougat and quince jelly are the strongest midpalate impressions. Lime zest and fruit pit serve for welcome, enlivening counterpoint on a finish whose vibrancy and exuberance are amazing, especially from a wine of such sheer overall richness and ripeness as well as such creaminess of texture. Sweetness is prominent, but by no means excessive. The Prüms insisted that this wine issued from virtually botrytis-free albeit desiccated fruit. (There is also an auctioned bottling of Sonnenuhr Auslese Goldkapsel – A.P. #19 – which I did not have an opportunity to taste.) (DS)

From a parcel planted in 1930, the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese * is from overripe, slightly botrytized berries as well as some green berries and was picked at 107° Oechsle. The wine opens with a dense, super clear and delicate slate-scented bouquet of spicy Riesling berries intermixed with fine botrytis and floral notes. Creamy, juicy and pretty sweet on the palate (120 grams of residual sugar per liter), this is an elegant and persistently salty Auslese with slate spiciness and a filigreed structure. This is very promising but needs time to gain even more finesse. Tasted in June 2019.