2015 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese
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Tasting notes
“I would probably have labeled this ‘two-star’ Auslese as ‘three-star’ in any other vintage,” suggested Johannes Selbach, “but I relativized the stars to the overall quality potential of the vintage.” And, let’s face it, this product of selective picking for botrytis-affected fruit has a serious challenge going up against its Rotlay counterpart or "one-star" stablemate from the Schlossberg. But it makes a serious effort to rise to those challenges, delivering a remarkable core of vividly fresh apple fruit slathered in quince jelly and vanilla cream on a palate of subtle oiliness but striking delicacy, finishing with luscious, overwhelmingly rich yet buoyant persistence. If more nuance develops with time in bottle, this may well belong to its collection’s elite.
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Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
David Schildknecht, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Based on selected botrytis grapes, the 2015 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** has a clear, intense and spicy/herbal nose of perfectly ripe and concentrated Riesling berries that come along very precise and fine, with some honey flavors. Round, smooth and elegant on the palate, this is a rich and sweet, highly finessed and luscious Auslese. The finish is super intense and aromatic, but also mouth-watering in its saltiness. The finish is piquant, elegant and pure; it reflects the slate terroir of the Schlossberg, as well as the super ripe Riesling fruit of the 2015 vintage perfectly. The wine just needs to age another 15 years to reach digestible dimensions.