From a single parcel of six year old vines and virtually botrytis-free bunches, the Rumpf’s 2008 Munsterer Pittersberg Riesling Auslese smells of kirsch, quince preserves, herbal elixir, and blood orange. Polished and creamy in texture; buoyant and delicate, it achieves the family’s stated goals for it, albeit at the price of considerable superficial sweetness. The finish is caressingly soft and somehow dreamy, including the slight lack of focus that implies. If one wanted to wait patiently for the sweetness to begin backing off in a decade or so, this could be interesting to follow.The Rumpfs seem in 2008 to have had to struggle less to avoid the greenness that was observed in certain of their 2007s. “There was just nothing you could do this year,” comments Georg Rumpf, “except let the fruit hang a long time on the vine.”Importer: Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300