2018 Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Riesling Stirn Fass 15

Here are animation and lift along with infectious juiciness, a palpable sense of stone infusion and a scintillatingly productive tension of sugar and acidity: a combination hard to achieve other than with Riesling grown on the Saar. Lime, apple, white peach and wet stone on the nose anticipate the dominant features throughout. Sleek and polished in feel, invigoratingly but subtly inflected with piquant fruit seed, citrus zest and resinous green herbs, this finishes with superb persistence – and, incidentally, 38 grams of residual sugar notwithstanding, the merest hint of entirely supportive sweetness. Lauer associates the vibrant, crystalline impression conveyed here with having employed free run juice or the lightest possible pressing, thus enhancing the level of tartaric acid and minimizing potassium in a vintage already characterized by low dry extract. Whatever the full explanation or imponderables, the wine is a brilliant success!