1971 Staatsweingut Eltville Rauenthaler Langenstück Riesling
Spätlese

BY NEAL MARTIN |&nbsp;MARCH 11, 2024My
adoration for any bottle of wine born the same year as myself is well-known. I
sound like a broken record proselytizing the 1971 vintage. But then a bottle sashays
along and vindicates my opinion, reconfirming that this is such a trove of
outstanding bottles, arguably none more so than Germany. This example was
generously provided by a friend, Mark Savage MW, at a Riesling/Syrah-themed
dinner at The Good Earth in Wandsworth, a highly recommended Chinese
restaurant. In halcyon days, German wines had equal cachet as Bordeaux, prices
often on par with the top Grand Cru Classés. Received wisdom is that 1971 is
the best German vintage of the decade, arguably one of the great 20th-century
vintages for Riesling that shine as bright as the day they were born.<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1709851371272-CF_March112024.jpg">The 1971
Rauenthaler Langenstück Riesling Spätlese, from the state-owned Staatsweingut
Eltville in the Rheingau, is the manifestation of mature Riesling in all
its unfettered glory. Iridescent in the glass, this wine sparkles with glee.
The nose is plugged into the mainline electricity, full of tension and vigor. Scents
of blood oranges, quince, candle wax and only a slight petrol note burst from
the glass with thrilling delineation. The palate follows in a similar vein,
built around a scintillating spine of acidity. This is a Riesling with surfeit
tension and race, hints of tangerine and orange pith mixed with Japanese yuzu
vying for attention. There is just a faint viscosity on the finish that begs
you to take another sip. Simply magnificent. 96/Drink 2024-2054. © 2024, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or re-distributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright, but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism.

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