2015 Riesling Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Pichler-Krutzler

This represents a very small quantity from a clearly special vineyard described in my coverage of the corresponding 2013. Krutzler says he would have preferred to have picked at a lower must weight, but things were happening fast and his priority was to get his Superin harvested, since it represents a much larger volume and thus serves as a calling card for the estate. One effect of malolactic transition has been a pleasant creaminess, but that hasn't deprived the wine of cut, stimulation or refreshment. Juicy apple and honeydew melon are coolingly suffused with green herbs. Stony and alkaline notes, invigoratingly incisive white pepper and a glow of peach kernel piquancy combine on an impressively sustained finish.

The 2015 Riesling Pfaffenberg Alte Reben is clear, bright and elegant as well as fine and mineral on the complex nose. On the palate, this is a ripe and intense, rather sweetish but refined and elegant wine with fine tannins and a slightly drying finish. This is a food wine par excellence, but it's also slightly bitter. 2020 - 2040.