Günther Steinmetz Riesling Basilisk 2018

Blended for the US market from fruit sourced across Veldenz, Wintrich, and Mülheim, this 750ml bottling sits apart from Steinmetz's liter-format lineup, and the care in its assembly shows. Eight grams of residual sugar barely registers as sweetness; it's more of a textural cushion than anything cloying. Apple, lime, and wet stone on the nose are clean and inviting. On the palate, a stony, nutty grip takes hold alongside tart citrus and crisp apple, the whole thing carried on a firm, focused frame. The finish eases up on the acid intensity toward the end but holds long, leaving behind both a sense of refreshment and something to chew on. Fine value from high-quality raw material, as Steinmetz himself noted.