Günther Steinmetz Riesling Wintricher Geierslay GW 2018

From the section of the Geierslay that bends toward the Mosel river, distinct from the 'Sur Lie' bottling, which draws from the heart of a small side valley. Peach and mirabelle lead the nose, richly fruited with a subtle stone-pit edge. On the palate, the texture is glossy and gently oily, generous in body without any trace of heat. Licorice and preserved walnut deepen the bittersweet character. Remarkably, 15 grams of residual sugar is entirely absorbed, a trick Steinmetz attributes to the high quartzite content in the slate, the same quality he credits in the Veldenzer Grafschafter Sonnenberg 'Alte Reben' this year. That the Geierslay (historically known as 'Neuberg') can produce two such distinct, dry-tasting wines, and two of Steinmetz's finest from 2018, is a real testament to the site.