Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling TBA 2018 375mL

Sourced in all the sections of the cru and picked with 270° Oechsle and perfect botrytis, the yellow-golden 2018 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese is deep, intense and refreshingly spicy and mineral on the compact and complex lime-zesty nose that reminds me of stewed apricots and sweet fig mustard with lemon zests. Incredibly rich, round and viscous but also finessed, fresh and vital on the palate, this is a highly elegant and perfectly balanced TBA with a long, intense and even stimulatingly vital finish. Compared to the filigreed, more crystalline Wehlener Sonnenuhr sibling, this is far more rich and oily textured, yet I can't avoid taking a large sip again and again, hedonist that I am! Thanks to the lower acidity, this is a smooth and sweet but still fine and delicate TBA that tastes fruity, fresh and highly digestible even at this early stage. All the components are already perfectly interwoven, and it's just a question of personal taste if you prefer to have this TBA sweet and smooth or matured and smooth. It's a marvelous wine in any case. It took a long ferment, until the end of June this year, which might have added a bit more complexity compared to the Wehlener Sonnenuhr. (98) DAVID SCHILDKNECHT, Wine Advocate