Klaus Peter Keller Riesling Abtserde GG 2008

Parker: Keller’s 2008 Westhofener Abtserde Riesling Grosses Gewachs – for considerable detail on whose terroir and history, consult my report in issue 185 – smells mysteriously musky in its evocation of narcissus, orchids, nut oils, and white truffle, which are accompanied by more predictable – even prosaic – but nonetheless lovely scents of pit fruits and citrus. Succulent, creamy, richly nutty and pit-fruited on the palate, it is saturated with the sort of diverse and in part ineffable intimations of things mineral as were encountered in the Hubacker. At the same time, there are tension and a sense of interplay as well as a sheer juicy generosity here reminiscent of the Kirchspiel. The finish is not only lusciously loaded with ripe white peach and piquant cardamom, white pepper, toasted almond, and lemon zest, but also as lip-smackingly saline as you are likely to encounter in any Riesling. 95/100

Galloni: Captivating aromas of nectarine, nut oil and lemon zest. The succulent apricot fruit and textural richness are kept vibrant by a salty minerality that lingers tantalizingly on the finish. With perfect clarity and impressive intensity, this is a show-stopper. One of the two or three finest dry rieslings of the vintage! 95/100