Hugel Riesling Schoelhammer 2014

Hugel's 2014 Riesling Schoelhammer opens with a clear and remarkably fine and herbal bouquet that indicates perfectly ripe and concentrated fruit that is reminiscent of ripe mirabelles. On the palate, this is a rich and textural, very elegant and refined yet highly complex and long-lasting Schoenenbourg that combines power with incredible finesse. The finish is very long, stimulating and complex due to the remarkably fine saline acidity. This is a stellar Riesling from Alsace, and although I didn't taste it along with the great 2010, I dare say this is possibly the finest Schoelhammer Hugel has produced so far (98) STEPHAN REINHARDT, Wine Advocate

How can a dry riesling that's not far off 10 years old have this much vitality and purity of yellow fruit? It's something only a few very special top sites can give you. Concentrated, juicy and extremely fine this has close to perfect balance. This ravishing beauty is a miracle (98) STUART PIGOTT, James Suckling

The 2014 Riesling Schoelhammer is from a single parcel in the heart of the midslope of the Schoenenbourg Grand Cru, with more clay than usual. Shyness on the nose allows a touch of waxiness and wet earth to shine through. Having just tasted the 2014 Grossi Laüe, also from the Schoenenbourg, the youthfulness of this is astonishing - especially since the Grossi Laüe is only just starting to open up. Here, the main notions are not chamomile but citrus, namely dried lemon peel. It has that same emollient, balm-like nature of the Schoenenbourg site but an inner density that is immense but channeled into the smoothest, calming, profound energy. The finish is long, chalky, creamy, lemony and so sustained. You need not be in a hurry to drink this at all. (Bone-Dry) (97) ANNE KREBIEHL MW, Vinous