Leitz Riesling Rüdesheimer Berg Rottland Hinterhaus Grosses Gewächs 2017

Mirabelle plum and ripe papaya open the nose with unmistakable warmth, signaling the generous, high-ripeness character that defines the 2017 vintage. On the palate, that plushness is kept honest by zesty lemon, bitter quinine, and a streak of iris and gentian root that cut through the forward fruit with real purpose. The tension between the wine's ripeness and its bitter, herbal undertow is what makes it compelling rather than simply hedonistic. The finish sustains longer than you'd expect, carrying a lively, charged energy that sits in welcome contrast to the wine's overall richness.