Tasted two outstanding Rieslings from Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau yesterday. Both were from the 2004 vintage.
The first was a regular Kabinett, and one of the best Rieslings I've had in a long time. Light body, colour of pale straw yellow with slightly green tints and very nice floral and citrus zest characteristics in the nose. Good acidity with a clean, lengthy finish.
The second one was even better, a Spätlese. This one also had a fairly light body with a pale gold colour and intense honey and pear aromas and citrus flavours on the palate. A little sweeter than the last, but with enough acidity to keep a good balance and prevent a cloying taste, with a similarly refreshing, lengthy finish.
Also opened a bottle of Wynn's Coonawarra Estate Riesling from 2005 a few days before that. This was very good, but not quite in the same league as the Schloss Johannisberg ones. For the price though (something like 24 Sing. dollars), a damn good buy - pale yellow, with a fairly strong nose of citrus and a flinty, minerally taste. Good finish too, although this one was a bit too acidic.
Salil