Last for 2014 and first for 2015--AP 14 Schaefer Domprobst Riesling Auslese

[John Trombley]

1st for 2015-2006 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #14 - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (12/31/2014)
$86/750 ml; 8.0 pabv, Thiese/Skurnik, Oakland Hills, OH Dorothy Lane Market. jht

Has an odd, flaky white crust in the bottle, probably tartrate, that dissipates with the touch of a finger; when decanted, leaves the crust behind and fizzes with the tartrate particles as nuclei. Coarser tartrate-like crystals left in the bottom of the decanter after the second part of the double decant. Quite bitty wine but with a brilliant green-gold; thick with extract and glass-coating.

Opens with the sweetness covered up by grippy orange-peel tannins; there is penetrating fruit of razor-like simplicity and enormous length, a wine of great promise. Just out of the bottle, it's almost burning with acidity Next on the nose comes the petrol and then the fresh bread and butter.' Then the palate comes sweet-sour dried apricot dripping with orange-flower honey. Some faint ginger scent lingers. A wine of powerful botrytis effects but absolutely clean and focused.

At 12 hours it's showing harmonic integration of these both powerful and seductive flavors, not missing a beat.

Schildknecht's idea that this is a wine in adolescence on its way to early adulthood at age 40 is not far off. Drink 2021 (so I'll hopefully have a chance to drink it before I die) through 2046. 99/100.

The greatest young Mosel Riesling Auslese I've tasted in 40 years of pursuit of this wine. (99 pts.)

[Eric Ifune]

High praise from you John!
I have to admit, I haven't bought any Germans since the 2002 vintage. I need to drink up the ones I have!

[John Trombley]

Obviously you need help with these fine wines, Eric. Since I haven't seen you since about 2004, it's time for us to find a way to get together. The Trombleys are looking for a way to get West sometime soon; perhaps we might be around for to give you some sorely needed aid here, and perhaps some VP help as well if needed.