On Sale: $31.94 (was: $49.94)*
The very highest and rarest categories of German Riesling, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese, have the reputation for being some of the most labor intensive wines to produce anywhere in the world. From the Mosel valley’s incredibly steep, terraced vineyards, these grapes are difficult to tend and harvest, and are often affected by noble rot as well, so volumes are incredibly small. The result, as you probably have guessed, is that these gems are often priced way out of reach. At 15 years of age this 2006 Schweicher Annaberg is a gorgeous Beerenauslese that offers the terrific complexity and weightless elegance common in aged Riesling, and true to the style, it is only just hitting its stride. At over 35% off, this is a stellar price for a Beerenauslese, particularly from an erste lage (premier cru) site, and a rare opportunity that sweet wine fans won't want to miss.
While the process for making Beerenauslese might be similar to Sauternes or Tokaji, Riesling’s delicacy and underlying energy make it make it stand out from other ‘dessert’ wines. The mouthwatering freshness and stone fruit notes will have you diving right back in after every sip, and a half bottle may not be enough. Combined with classic notes of petrol, honey, and orange blossom, this is beginning to show why aged Riesling gets wine geeks and sommeliers so excited. The vineyards along the Mosel river are steep, and Schweicher Annaberg's iron-rich red schist terroir is difficult to farm, but produces extraordinary results, and an incredible long lasting finish. Cheers!
JJ Buckley: "Crystal clear dark gold in the glass. The nose is a generous mix of orange blossom, apricot, lemon oil, honey, spice, stone and hints of petrol. Now with over a decade in bottle it is showing a beautiful integration of sweet citrus and brilliant acidity. Showcasing excellent density and concentration, this Beerenauslese is light on the palate and has a nearly endless finish. This is excellent to enjoy now and should continue to delight for many years to come and offers an incredible value."
*Offer publication date June 27, 2021. Pricing and availability subject to change.