Alfred Merkelbach
"Urglück" Ürziger Würzgarten Spätlese Riesling
Mosel, Germany
Picked at an Oechsle level that in any other vintage I can recall would have been labeled without question as Auslese, this is not however a Spätlese that exhibits more than very modest sweetness, for which not just the Merkelbachs’ tendency to let fermentations finish with less sugar, but also the presence of nearly nine grams’ acidity and nearly 30 grams of dry extract are jointly responsible. Sassafras, mint, black tea and fresh strawberry on the nose segue into an infectiously juicy but glycerol-slicked palate that suggests a cooling yet smoky infusion of green herbs and black tea into strawberry and apricot. A lightly saline savor of celery seed and an undertone of wet stone add to the appeal of a lusciously sustained finish that both soothes and refreshes. (David Schildknecht, Vinous, January 2020)
Picked at an Oechsle level that in any other vintage I can recall would have been labeled without question as Auslese, this is not however a Spätlese that exhibits more than very modest sweetness, for which not just the Merkelbachs’ tendency to let fermentations finish with less sugar, but also the presence of nearly nine grams’ acidity and nearly 30 grams of dry extract are jointly responsible. Sassafras, mint, black tea and fresh strawberry on the nose segue into an infectiously juicy but glycerol-slicked palate that suggests a cooling yet smoky infusion of green herbs and black tea into strawberry and apricot. A lightly saline savor of celery seed and an undertone of wet stone add to the appeal of a lusciously sustained finish that both soothes and refreshes. (David Schildknecht, Vinous, January 2020)
Jan 24th, 2020
Vintage 2012 - elegant, light purity in Excelsius ☺️ #riesling #mosel
Feb 23rd, 2018
Beautiful shape. Still fresh and young. Sweet fruit and earthiness. Great acid to cut through slow roasted pork
Beautiful shape. Still fresh and young. Sweet fruit and earthiness. Great acid to cut through slow roasted pork
Dec 12th, 2020
8% ABV, 100% awesome. Post Xmas dinner wine that won over even (so-called) non-Riesling drinkers. On the lighter end of Spätlese RS.
8% ABV, 100% awesome. Post Xmas dinner wine that won over even (so-called) non-Riesling drinkers. On the lighter end of Spätlese RS.
Jan 12th, 2018
Clear gold color. Unctuous, yellow fruit feel. Over ripe melon, petrol and rubber hose, some slight acidic finish. Good Spatlese.
Clear gold color. Unctuous, yellow fruit feel. Over ripe melon, petrol and rubber hose, some slight acidic finish. Good Spatlese.
Jan 30th, 2017Medium gold color. Tropical fruit and petrol nose. Ripe yellow fruit, rubber hose, and some acidity and lingering minerality. More acidic would make this more balanced and enjoyable.
Medium gold color. Tropical fruit and petrol nose. Ripe yellow fruit, rubber hose, and some acidity and lingering minerality. More acidic would make this more balanced and enjoyable.
Mar 2nd, 2016Pale gold. Floral nose. Tropical fruit, honeysuckle, with a lingering acidic finish. A bit honeyed, but good.
Pale gold. Floral nose. Tropical fruit, honeysuckle, with a lingering acidic finish. A bit honeyed, but good.
Dec 27th, 2015Pale gold color. Apricots and honey on the nose. Bright mouthfeel off the bat with lemon zest and acidity, and then the apricots and honey take over with a balanced finish. Enjoyable.
Pale gold color. Apricots and honey on the nose. Bright mouthfeel off the bat with lemon zest and acidity, and then the apricots and honey take over with a balanced finish. Enjoyable.
Dec 20th, 2015