Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
The 2023 Riesling Forster Ungeheuer Grosses Gewächs simultaneously offers the smokiness of an extinguished candle and utter creaminess, clothing ripe Mirabelle in gentle woodsmoke. The palate is concentrated and has full smokiness, but it’s bedded on juicy, fresh plum. Rounded and smooth, it’s still subdued for now but boasts a gorgeous streak of passion fruit freshness. (Bone-dry)
Range: 92-94 -
James Suckling
Very biscuity lees character with a whiff of vanilla, but the succulent medium-bodied palate has polish and elegance and the oak tannins are already very well integrated. Long, quite toasty finish with underplayed power that gently builds.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.