F.X. Pichler Riesling Loibenberg Beerenauslese 2015

A late-harvest curiosity shaped by an unusual 2015 harvest, fruit held on the vine for Unendlich shriveled spontaneously after a brief October rain, with cold temperatures keeping botrytis largely at bay. The nose is genuinely strange and compelling: raw mushroom and overripe cantaloupe alongside quince jam, honeydew, candied lemon peel and a dusting of nutmeg. Rich and glycerol-laden on the palate, the sweetness is deep and expansive, but citrus zest piquancy and a thread of fresh fruitiness keep it from collapsing under its own weight. The finish is long and predominantly sweet, not without its heady indulgence, yet retains enough vitality to suggest this is built for the long haul. Don't underestimate it. Drink 2028–2055.