Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 2017 (750ML)

93 JS / 92 VM / 91 WA / 90 WS

A juicy and elegant wine that turns really dry, thanks to the serious minerality that powers the long, delicate finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold. James Suckling

Lily and apple blossom perfume on the nose liquefies on a silken, glossy, buoyant palate lusciously brimming with juicy fresh apple and chiffon-like strawberry. The finish, unabashedly sweet, yet delicate, is hauntingly sustained and incorporates a saliva-liberating pinch of sea-salt. “I don’t really want to make every sort of wine in every vineyard,” insists Dönnhoff, who is convinced that the talent of Kirschheck is and will remain in the realm of residual sweetness. “Besides,” he adds with a wink, “with the two new Grosse Gewächse we now have a full six-pack.” - David Schildknecht, Vinous Media

The 2017 Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese offers an intense bouquet with ripe and stewed white fruit and raisin aromas and a delicate spiciness with refreshing slate aromas. Intense on the palate, this is a sweet but salty-piquant, tightly structured and persistent Riesling Spätlese with a stimulatingly gripping finish. I'd recommend cellaring this 2017 for (at least) four or five years, though. Tasted in July 2019. - Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate

Vibrant and focused, with apple candy and citrus flavors and a flinty accent. On the lean side now, with intense and slightly raw acidity. Needs time to come together. Best from 2021 through 2030. 120 cases imported. - AZ, Wine Spectator