2015 Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Federspiel

Weighing in at just 11.5 percent alcohol, this is brimming with ripe apple and white peach, while scents and flavors of almond, moss, and wet stone add subtle complexity. A smoky, resinous, reductive topnote puts me in mind of hops, while an alluring gentian perfume haunts this entire performance. A palate presence that is surprisingly lush, silken and expansive for a Riesling Federspiel in no way precludes levity, clarity or primary juiciness. Subtle hints of wet stone and moss add intrigue to the lusciously lingering finish, but it will be interesting to discover whether further and more decisive mineral traits emerge with time in bottle.