Opened two stunning German Rieslings with my parents in the last couple of days.
JJ Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese 2006 Intense and very primary on the nose, with lots of slate, flowers, lime, apple and peach. Not anywhere near as sweet as I had expected. I had tried the 06 Kabinett from this vineyard some time ago and found that almost like a baby Auslese in terms of sweetness - this didn't have the same perceptible sweetness, and had much more balance, clarity and nuance. In the mouth - LOTS of slate and stony minerality, more limes/citrus/white fruits, flowers and hints of honey with good acidity. Long, minerally finish. Superb, but outdone by what followed.
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese 2005 Drank over two hours, and this was truly breathtaking. The nose was slightly restrained, showing elegant flavours of flowers, apple, peach and yellow fruits over minerals. Full bodied on the palate with very clean, pure flavours of peach, apple, orange, citrus and red fruits with salty mineral notes. What really stood out though was the seamless way the flavours wove together in the mouth, and the balance this had - there was plenty of acidity with a silky, almost glossy texture in the mouth and an incredibly long finish. Incredible.
Cheers,
Salil