2015 Monziger Halenberg Trockenbeerenauslese
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Tasting notes
Through extreme selectivity, a small volume of botrytized berries was assembled for this T.B.A., but Werner Schönleber is at pains to emphasize that there were no grey spores or thick accumulation of botrytis, just a very fine, desiccating dusting. The nose is tweaked by prickly high-toned, penetrating citrus rinds, radish, white raisin and crystallized ginger. There are also intimations of fig and white peach preserves, which then come out soothingly on the viscous, creamy palate yet stimulatingly laced with candied lemon, lime and grapefruit rinds as well as brightly bracing fresh citrus juiciness. Salted caramel adds a saliva-inducing savor and musky, animal notes intrigue to a magnificently multi-faceted finish. The overall effect here is like a hypothetical T.B.A.-Eiswein blend.
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Average Score
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
David Schildknecht, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Riesling Monzinger Halenberg Trockenbeerenauslese was picked the same days as the Auslese, but it contains only hand-picked raisins that were destemmed from the Auslese grapes on the sorting table (with 195° Oechsle). The nose is very intense and concentrated in its citrus fruit and smoky honey flavors, but it's also a bit volatile at the moment. On the palate, this is a very rich and creamy textured TBA with fascinating acidity and stimulating salinity. This is--despite its concentration and sweetness--still Halenberg. The finish is long, fresh and reveals some black bread flavors. Total production: 100 liters. Frank Schönleber said, "We could easily have harvested with the same manpower 12,000 liter of something else."