2017 Boeckel Wiebelsberg Grand Cru Riesling

From a steep slope with sandy sandstone soils in Andlau and aged on the lees for 14 months (in foudres), Boeckel's 2017 Grand Cru Wiebelsberg Riesling opens with a deep, intense and elegant nose of lemon oil, and then there are notes of crushed and melting stones, iodine, herbs such as thyme and lemongrass and elegant sur lie aromas. Full-bodied, intense and elegant on the palate, with ripe and refined acidity but also a high level of fruit ripeness, this is a fine and textured yet somewhat calm (instead of dramatic) Riesling that fermented fully dry and already shows first hints of caramel. The wine has substance and mouthfeel and a stimulating saline and savory finish, yet it lacks a bit of mineral drive and tension for my personal taste. This is rather a red wine type of Riesling with a long and aromatic as well as juicy finish. 13.5% stated alcohol. Diam cork. Tasted in February 2023.