2014 Müller-Catoir Haardter Herzog Rieslaner BA
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Tasting notes
A deep, lightly bronze hue here contrasts sharply with its Auslese counterpart, and the flavor profile too is very different. Chestnut honey, sorghum, maple syrup, quince preserves and spiced, candied pear make for multifaceted richness on a viscous, downright buttery palate. But from somewhere arrives a bright yet not at all awkward streak of fresh pineapple juiciness that along with prominent salinity offsets the sweetness and supplies mouthwatering savor that keeps the long, cheek-pinching finish from becoming at all cloying. (There were just 300 half-bottles of this.)
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Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
David Schildknecht, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Intensely golden in color, the 2014 Haardter Herzog Rieslaner Beerenauslese shows a very intense, super ripe, concentrated, spicy aroma with iodine and caramel aromas, as well as some herbal flavors. Rich and velvety in its concentrated texture, this is very sweet but subtle, piquant and finesse-full BA with a straight, refreshingly and racy acidity. "In contrast to Riesling, the acidity in Rieslaner is not reduced with more maturity," says Martin Franzen, who picked the 2007 Herzog TBA with 20 grams per liter of total acidity. The elegant 2014 has almost 14 grams of total acidity and is too nervous and young to be enjoyed today. It should be cellared for at least another decade. Caramel and smoky aromas in the long finish. A very delicate Beerenauslese that goes well with dark chocolate and orange dishes. (37.5-centiliter bottles)