The Christoffel 2006 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese emphasizes pineapple, tangerine, and herbal essences. Licorice and vanilla lend bitter-sweetness to its custardy palate impression, and there is ample freshness of acidity to enliven the finish. It may be that this could have handled even a bit more sweetness and thereby achieved further elegance, but the palate presence is convincingly rich and the bitter-sweet, slate-tinged length formidable. This is a Spatlese not only to savor over the next 12-15 years, but to experiment with at table. Hans-Leo Christoffel says he thought Robert Eymael must be jumping the gun when he began the harvest here, even though it was the 9th of October, but that it turned out not to have been too early at all. “Well, I wouldn’t ever have been able to catch up otherwise,” says Eyamel, “there weren’t that many pickers available. In three weeks, we finished.” And with what results! For further details on the Christoffel-Eymael collaboration, consult issue 163, and for notes on Eymael’s exceptional solo 2006 collection, see under “Monchhof” below.Importer: Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel (516) 677-9300