Monzinger Halenberg, Riesling, Spätlese, 2016
A spätlese of aromatic fruit complexity, with grapefruit, mango and melon notes, remarkable finesse and no small measure of tension as this glides across the palate. Finishing very fresh, this is extremely easy to love.
critic reviews
Notes of crushed stone along with smoky black tea and machine oil mingle on the nose with intimations of the ripe apple, honeydew melon and grapefruit that then dominate on the palate. There is a sense of inner-mouth restraint here, reinforced by cooling green herbal accents, when compared with the corresponding Frühlingsplätzchen in all of its effusive florality and ripeness. And for now at least, this Halenberg lacks that sibling’s textural refinement or its remarkable balance. But the finish here is superbly sustained, its mineral and herbal nuances intriguingly persistent, and either wine will be a joy to follow.
The 2016 Nahe Riesling Halenberg Spatlese is very clear, delicate and floral/vegetal on the nose that also displays subtle mineral and flinty aromas. Pure and elegant on the palate, this is a very linear, lush and stimulating Spatlese that is less sweet than the Fruhlingsplatzchen, not just analytically (63 grams per liter of residual sugar) but also perceptibly on the palate. This is so cool, piquant and mineral but also vegetal with its celery flavors. Lush, perfectly balanced and highly elegant. A great Spatlese.