J.B. BeckerRiesling Berg Bildstock Auslese 2021 (750ml)

All the “sweet” Prädikat wines have around 20 grams of residual sugar – some a bit less, some a bit more – like the Auslese at 21 grams,. For context, most Kabinetts these days have around 30 to 50 grams of residual sugar, Spätlesen and Auslesen 50-60+ and much more. All this to say, these are very dry Prädikat wines. Yet they were picked later (in 2021 we are likely talking November) and have healthy ripeness levels – over 90 Oechsle. These means they have some alcohol; we are talking 12% alcohol. For context, again, most Spätlesen and Auslesen have 7%.

Hans Josef says to me, “This is the Yquem of the Rheingau.” And, again, a few lights go off and I understand a little more what he is seeking, the context in which an Auslese like this should be seen. This is a lovely, lovely wine, honeyed yet soaring, with restraint and acidity… and yes, some plush ribbons of alcohol and texture. There are only about 30 cases of this coming into the U.S. and you should have one.