2021 Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg Ste Catherine Domaine Weinbach

A giant dry riesling that is so cool, focused and precise, it comes across as only medium-bodied in spite of the enormous concentration of citrus fruit, spice and wet stone minerality. Very pristine finish with a wonderful silkiness that doesn’t want to let you go. This took a whole year to ferment, and that clearly worked extremely well. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

The 2021 Riesling Cuvée Ste. Catherine is from 60-70-year old vines on the midslope of the Schlossberg Grand Cru. This took a whole year to ferment and stopped at around 5g/L of residual sweetness. It's richer than usual for the domaine, but with the acidity of 2021, this actually sits well. The most subtle hint of orange blossom is all the nose wants to reveal. More temperature reveals an overtone of pineapple juice. A tiny flicker of smoky reduction appears, too. The palate is bold, clean-cut, serene and scented. This is the crystalline nature of granite making itself known. The pithy texture makes the mouth water even more. The aroma and the texture of freshly zested Amalfi lemon are on the long finish. This has body but no fat - a gorgeous synthesis of freshness and citrus, long and elegant. Real drive and much energy. (Bone-dry)

White flowers and exotic fruit leap from the glass. Aromatic complexity includes blood orange, Key Lime pie, candied citrus and marzipan that suggest sweetness, but the palate is dry. The long finish is marked more by wet stone freshness.