2016 Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel

2016 Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese tempts you with guava, nashi pear and crisp green apple aromas. This leads to a palate that is assertive yet somewhat coy. Minerality brings up the rear of mandarin & lime which is subtle, but has solid length. Chili salted school prawns would be brilliant with this.

Ripe pear and Golden Delicious apple, mango and muskmelon are wreathed in heliotrope and honeysuckle in a heady aromatic display, then reconvene on a luscious, delicate, subtly creamy palate. This offering is noticeably less concentrated and lower in acidity but also noticeably riper in flavors than the other Schaefer Spätlesen of the vintage, with one result being that its sweetness is more obvious. The soothingly sustained finish offers ravishing inner-mouth perfume, and a precious hint of salinity stimulates the salivary glands while offering a welcome bit of contrast.

91 points vinous.com David Schildknecht