2022 Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese Auction Wine, Mosel

Stunning nose of fresh King Alfonso mango. Extremely concentrated, but not in the least overwhelming, this magnificent Spätlese is very succulent and very elegant. Totally uplifting acidity at the dazzling finish. And yes, this has a healthy amount of unfermented grape sweetness in it, but that’s not what you think about when you savor this aromatic masterpiece. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

97 points James Suckling

Few wines represent the pinnacle of Mosel Riesling quite like an Auction Wine from Bernkasteler Doctor. Produced only in exceptional years and in tiny quantities, these special bottlings are reserved for Germany's prestigious VDP auctions, where collectors compete for some of the country's most coveted wines. Dr. H. Thanisch has long been one of the great custodians of Bernkasteler Doctor, crafting Rieslings that combine extraordinary concentration with the vineyard's trademark elegance and mineral precision.

Bernkasteler Doctor is among Germany's most revered vineyard sites, a steep amphitheatre of blue Devonian slate overlooking the Mosel River. The 2022 vintage produced fruit of outstanding purity and balance, allowing the estate to create a Spätlese Auction Wine of remarkable intensity and finesse. Careful selection of the finest bunches results in a wine that elevates the already exceptional quality of the vineyard to another level.

Bright gold with green reflections, the bouquet is breathtakingly complex, revealing aromas of white peach, apricot and ripe nectarine layered with lime blossom, jasmine and crushed slate. As the wine evolves in the glass, notes of honeycomb, mandarin and exotic spice emerge. The palate is richly flavoured yet beautifully weightless, delivering waves of stone fruit, citrus and mineral complexity. A delicate sweetness is perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity, creating incredible tension and drive. The finish is extraordinarily long, unfolding with layers of lime, honey and slate for minutes.

This is a wine for life's memorable occasions. Pair it with lobster in a citrus butter sauce, foie gras, roast duck with orange glaze, spicy Asian seafood dishes or a perfectly aged blue cheese. While captivating today, it possesses the balance and concentration to evolve for decades, rewarding patient collectors with extraordinary complexity.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2055.