Wieninger Riesling Rosengartl 2016

Harvested nearly three weeks later than the Nussberg, the Rosengartl grapes were left to reconcentrate after autumn rain, a gamble that paid off. Lime, ripe Seckel pear and apricot lead the nose, layered with musky peony and narcissus in a way that feels almost heady. Despite sitting above 14% alcohol, the wine carries its weight gracefully, the body plush and satiny without ever feeling heavy. Juicy lime keeps things animated through the mid-palate, while a sustained inner-mouth floral perfume, a smoky note of black tea and the piquant bitterness of fruit pits and seeds give the finish genuine complexity. There's the faintest warmth on the very end, but it's a minor footnote in an otherwise polished and fascinating wine.