The Diel 2007 Dorsheimer Pittermanchen Riesling Auslese – of which a mere 300 liters were bottled – features spiced poached peach and apple overlain with white raisin, caramel, and sheer, honeyed essence of botrytis. One sip and you can appreciate Caroline Diel’s testimony to the purity of noble rot harvested here, even if the dimensions of minerality and the lift and elegance exhibited by other outstanding wines in this year’s collection are missing. This tastes as though it had been mingled with Gewurztraminer, so opulent and oily is its texture and so brown spice-inflected its finish. Expect it to perform well for at least a quarter of a century, though.
With the 2007 vintage – one Armin Diel compares with his superbly successful 2004s – daughter Caroline Diel has joined Christoph Friedrich in guiding vineyard and cellar operations here. (The 2008 vintage sees her in the estate’s leading role.)
Importer: Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300