Bright straw-yellow, it has shimmering hues and a silver rim. In its youth, Frauenberg is more of a sketch than a highly shaded and detailed self-portrait. Stony and austere, it is reminiscent of wet gravel while cooling notes of fresh chervil and cucumber peel complement the citrus fruit, apricot stone, and apple skin. Unmistakable dark aromatics and smoky overtones deliberately shape the precise outline. A pulsating pressure builds on the tense palate, even as the nearly orchestral acidity acts like a conductor, guiding extract, phenolics, and minerality to each play their part. Complex and nuanced, it is a wine whose potential requires not only a decanter but also a few years of bottle maturation.

Frauenberg is a mineral-driven wine with a tremendous affinity for fine cuisine. Lobster, seafood, sashimi, and dishes that feature soy sauce make for great pairings, while finely-prepared German classics like KönigsbergerKlopse and Braten in horseradish sauce push it toward the sublime.