2009 Riesling Unendlich Smaragd, F.X. Pichler
Meaning “never-ending” in German, this sensational Riesling is produced in order to make the most of a varietal and a terroir. Unusually this year is made from fruit drawn exclusively from the Kellerberg vineyard and is the result of the 4th of 5 tries through the vineyard. Lucas Pichler estimates 25% botrytis and 8g of residual sugar, yet to me it tasted bone dry. There are floral, leesy and tropical notes on the nose and the palate has notes of spiced-pear and freshly-cut herbs, as well as a distinctive briny edge. To say that this is long on the finish would be an understatement.