Saarburger Rausch Auslese AP Nr 06-16, Weingut Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken 2015

Selection for this bottling involved breaking-out of clusters to favor shriveled and nobly botrytized berries, an approach that shows in a dominance of quince jelly, peach preserves and overripe musk melon. A curry-like pungency provides welcome contrast on the nose as well as on the creamy, expansive yet strikingly buoyant palate. For as far gone on botrytization and overripeness as this wine initially seems to be, its finish comes as a delightful shock, delivering infectious juiciness, animating hints of citrus, and a salinity that tugs at the salivary glands.

The first of the 2015 Auslesen from the Rausch is a beautiful wine that should drink well from a fairly early age, but also age very, very long, due to its impeccable balance. There is absolutely no botrytis in this bottling, which offers up a superb bouquet of pineapple, a hint of the white cherries to come, orange zest, a beautiful base of slate, bee pollen, white flowers and a touch of ocean breeze in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and quite creamy on the attack, with a fine core, lovely focus and grip and a very long, pure and vibrant finish. Lovely, succulent and elegant Auslese. Drink between 2022-2060