Dhroner Grosser Hengelberg Monopollage Riesling

This is flirting with perfection. Just opened and clearly still not fully unfurled, but already an absolute freak show. The nose is a full scene in nature: peach skin, apricot, tangelo, blood orange, Mosel slate, pine forest, a little blueberry, then with air this wild confectionary layer comes in, like a carnival in the forest. Now there is sea-air minerality too, and the whole aromatic field is getting more complete by the minute. The palate is the real astonishment. It has the texture of great white Burgundy, almost Leflaive-like in its glide and polish, but with no oak, no fat, nothing covering the signal. Just purity. Insane purity. The acidity is architectural, giving the wine line, lift, shape, precision and total command. Juicy, sapid, almost tannic on the finish, unbelievably elegant and harmonious. As it opens, the structure starts to dominate, but everything stays cohesive, integrated, and alive. The finish is a mineral blizzard, endless, fanning out for minutes, and still nowhere near where it will be tomorrow. Steinmetz wines are friendly on opening, then they just keep gaining depth, but this is already profound. One of the great dry Mosel Rieslings I have tasted.

A nose that screams “Mosel Elite!” Slate, peaches, melon, apricot, some wild mint and herbs as well. Super complex. Fresh grass after a long rain. Fields of wild flowers. Big time scene in nature. Palate is damn near perfect. So complex yet all the parts are in place. Concentrated with extraordinary acidity and juicy peach, pear and melon notes. Wow the acid on this wine is crazy. So complex on the finish with slate, some light tannin and juicy melon and pair. Incredible mineral aftertaste that lasts and lasts. So pure. 1.5 minutes at least on the finish. Will open more. Stunning wine.

As this airs the slate aromas are just drop dead. Now there are pineapple and guava aromas along with stunning peaches. Palate is so complex and fruity but with a massive mineral intensity. 9.7 to 9.8 now.

Soaring aromas of apricot, cardamon, Xmas spice, slate, peach but below all that and on top of that is exuberant minerality. The fruit is between two slabs of stone and spice. There is such clarity and vividness to the aromas. Gorgeous. Palate is super complex and fresh with unreal purity. Wow what acids. This is electric and so balanced. Finished with peach and minerals. And what a finish. It’s so nimble, racey and elegant. Opulent in all the right places. What minerality. As much as the nose suggest mega fruit the palate is like 80% minerality. Wonderful freshness. This is so drinkable but I also know it’s holding a lot in reserve. Brilliant!

I didn’t take any notes on this one, but it stood out for its full throttle intensity, married to supreme elegance, with a textured mouthfeel. Long, resonant finish. First try with this bottling, and I would have purchased two additional cases had I known how brilliant it is. Will back up the truck next year. Hard to believe how open this is at this age, and I don’t know how I will be able to hold on to these for the long haul.

Terrific. So dense. Big minerals and acids.

Not a typical Mosel Riesling. Much more Rheinhesseny.

Nose: peach skin. Some mountain stream. Yellow peaches. Confectionery.

Palate Candied pink grapefruit pith. Perfect peach. Huge fruit. Unreal deliciousness. Amazing density. The fruit of an auslese but dry. Sweet minerals. Sick spice. Amazing balance in a big frame.

Ultimately really effing delicious.

Fass selections

@Delectable Wine this is the regular bottling, not the reserve

Well, sh$^^#^#^t. This is super ripe, but very yummy.

A hot day and Cambodian modern at@Mawn restaurant, so natch. Not the greatest glasses but serviceable enough.
Mouth filling orchard fruit with a decidedly underripe peach quality, white flowers and a refreshing peppery, stony wash of a finish. This was an accompaniment wine, no studying, swishing ( well, a bit), or developing in the glass. Got along perfectly with roasted Dorade, Sweet/Sour/Chili Head on Soft Shell Shrimp, begging for another glug.Texturally interesting as the entry was round, flattened out and finished with a snap. Our waitress was very curious and highly approved of her portion. No rough edges here. Happiness all around.
@fassselections
With Randy

Much better than our previous bottle. Very ripe, lovely structure, medium acid, god’s own nectarines. Opulent stuff.

Wow. Just a punch in the face on open.

Massive concentration. More rheinhessen levels of concentration. As this opens nose is like great mosel auslese.

Palate is dense and so pure. Mineral. Balancing acidity for freshness. Amazing freshness. The ripeness is very high for the Mosel but this is a super low yield site in a ripe year. You do get those stone fruits but the minerality goes toe to toe with it. And it’s fresh so the acidity is there. Crunchy minerals.

As it opens. More opulent. Finish is liquid sex. Coats the palate. Woooow.

Super ripe - brilliant aromatics.