Lingenfelder (Germany) Bird Label Riesling 2001
2001 is shaping up to be a top-notch vintage for German wines, and recent tastings I have had from top Mosel producers seem to back that up. Here we have a wine from further south in the Pfalz area, where riesling can be very fine, but tends to display more weight and richer texture. That is no bad thing when the wines are as juicily balanced and fine as this. Lingenfelder is an ancient estate with a very modern attititude, and this ‘bird label’ example is in fact an off-dry wine of Spatlese quality. It is an absolute summertime delight, with a nose brimming with tropical, pineapple, lime-fresh waxy citus, and glace fruits. There’s just a suggestion of punchy gooseberry and something mineral too, that adds up to a deliciously complex but arresting picture. On the palate it has a luscious, freshly-squeezed apricot juiciness with plenty of weight and body, and an almost smoothie richness that is shot-through with a dazzling cut of apple acidity. Fine, fine wine at a bargain price, and will cellar for five years plus. Oddbins 4.99
