2020 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Auslese 'Marlies/Marx' 17 21

The 2020 KRiesling Krettnacher Euchariusberg Auslese represents the first harvest from two young-vines parcels and the last picking of Hofgut Falkenstein’s vintage 2020 harvest (though that was well before the midpoint of October). Peach, mirabelle and muskmelon remain quite fresh albeit very ripe on the nose and the delicate, subtly creamy, glossy palate. Peach kernel piquancy, nippy brown spices and a thick sense of fresh fruit concentration make for a formidable finish that reflects the concentration of tiny berries and sparse Jungfern (“virginal”) yields, but also a brush with botrytis. Impressive though this is, it lacks the transparency or infectious juiciness associated with Hofgut Falkenstein Rieslings as a whole – but then, this is a one-off from new parcels and the first harvest of young vines. We’ll have to see how it evolves.