2018 Saar Riesling
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Tasting notes
This legally trocken cuvée as usual reflects estate parcels that are less than 30 years old, though in 2017 I would not rule out fruit from older vines having also been included. In what may be a sign of early-harvested material (and of lots that did not undergo malolactic transformation), there is a surprising prominence of green apple and gooseberry manifesting itself both on the nose, and as a tart edge on the otherwise texturally rather gentle palate. Wood smoke and wet stone also feature from start to finish, and green herbal impingements add further invigoration to the brightly persistent finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Fresh notes of pear drops, apple crumble and peach pit come into view. Soft and silky on the medium-bodied palate with fleshy stone fruit on the finish. Drink now.
The 2018 Saar Riesling offers an aromatic nose that is clear, concentrated and flinty scented with crunchy slate and herbal notes. Impressive! Full-bodied and lush on the first palate, this is a crystalline, refreshing, mineral and well-structured dry Riesling with round and elegant fruit, lingering salinity and a stony lemon flavor. Very good and intensely aromatic, with slate-drive length, this is focused and precise 2018 Saar Riesling at its best. Tasted from AP #1 19 in June 2019.
Bottled in March. Pretty austere and demanding. Not much sign of massive ripeness levels here! Pungent and very much sui generis . Definitely not for neophytes. (JR)