Schmitt Sohne Bernkasteler BadstubeRiesling Spatlese 1996

Literally translated, Spätlese means, "late harvested" and these grapes are fully ripened and harvested at least one week after the normal harvest. Spätlese wines are fuller bodied with more complexity and intense fruit flavors, higher in residual sugar but due to acidic balance, not necessarily sweet, and generally improve with longer periods of aging. The Schmitt Schenk Riesling Spätlese wines exhibit all these characteristics and have hints of peaches and apricots in the nose and on the pallet. Very good by themselves or pair especially well with richer, more flavourful foods and spicy dishes such as Asian cuisine.