2001 Riesling Schlossberg Quintessence de Grains Nobles

Winemaker Laurence Faller noted that her family estate harvested late in 2001, waiting until October 9 to start and not finishing until November 6.The botrytis was remarkably pure in 2001, especially in the later-picked parcels.Vintage 2002, according to Faller, was generally higher in acidity at similar sugar levels, but she added that the 2002s need their higher acidity to balance their density; yields were down an average of 20% from the previous year.At Domaine Weinbach it was a fascinating exercise to compare both vintages of each cuvee while I savored the clarity and precision of numerous 2001s here, the best 2002s are equally impressive in the context of the vintage.As always, my tasting concluded with several of the Fallers' superrich but never ponderous late-harvest wines, in this instance from 2001 and 2000, both of which vintages have yielded some extraordinary bottles.(Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL)