More Reisling

Strub Soil to Soul Riesling blend, 2009, $13.95: This German wine is described as being drier and more mineral in character, and has incorporated a significant amount of Orbel (in addition to the Bruckchen and Paterberg (ed. very special single vineyard sites in the Rheinhessen) that have typically informed not only this cuvee but also past generic Strub Kabinett bottlings. It is described as having orange blossom, musky narcissus, pear distillate, green herbs, and smoked meat aromatics in addition to the musky, meaty, and high-toned fruit essences that are combined with bittersweet orange and grapefruit oil as well as invigorating salinity on the taste. This satisfyingly persistent Riesling represents a fine value likely to remain both versatile and viable over the next 6-9 years (not that anyone is likely to put this prognosis to the test). Personally, I thought this wine was absolutely wonderful! It was sweet, but not overwhelmingly sweet, and the orange, citrus smells stuck out to me in its bouquet. On the palate, I could definitely taste hints of orange as well, in addition to the grapefruit. It was also a very smooth wine that just had a lot of flavor, there was no burn and not a lot of acid. Thus far into my wine tasting excursions, this is my favorite wine.