2014 Forster Pechstein Riesling Grosses Gewachs
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Tasting notes
An even more riotous diversity of aromatics is on display here than in the corresponding Ungeheuer: pungent but cooling sage, wintergreen and peppermint; zesty orange, grapefruit and lime; resinous oak. Except that instead of turning into a riot, these all seem to collect themselves as they strikingly inflect luscious pear and white peach on a seamlessly polished, expansive, faintly buttery palate. Suggestions of nut oils enhance a sense of enveloping richness rare in youthful Pechstein Riesling, while chalky, stony undertones serve as sounding board and salinity for helpless salivation in a vibrant, sensationally sustained finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Very complex but also subtle and fresh in its purity and intensity, the 2014 Forster Pechstein Riesling trocken GG intertwines ripe but discreet fruit aromas with the stony basalt flavors form this prestigious vineyard. Full-bodied, pure, round and juicy, this is a nobly textured, piquant and very long Riesling; it has great power, tension and a very long and aromatic finish that displays ripe peach, as well as also some passion fruit aromas. The lingering and stimulating salinity is really characterizing this wine that will get even finer with age.
A generous yellow fruit fragrance is sweetened by a subtle sprinkling of vanilla. It’s getting a little tiresome to write about barrique notes in Riesling, but it cannot be denied that they alter the profile of a wine. Winemaker Stephan Attmann tends to use it like top chefs use spices, just to tweak, rather than dominate the flavour. The Pechstein has enough fruit on the palate, the body is full, the acidity invigorating, the flavour generous. I can’t quite restrain myself, if you want your Riesling to taste a little more like a grand cru Burgundy…. (MS)