2016 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese #4

There is only a single Himmelreich Auslese in the Schaefer cellars in 2016 and it is a lovely wine. The bouquet is very pure and still fairly reserved, but with a bit of coaxing offers up a fine blend of pear, hints of white cherry, delicate minerality, spring flowers and a dollop of savory elements in the upper register that are going to add a quite exotic note to the wine when it is starts to blossom. On the palate the wine is refined, full-bodied and light on its feet, with great purity and bounce, an ethereal sense of balance and a very long, bright and crystal clear finish. This is quite an understated Auslese out of the blocks, but the depth and intensity of flavor here suggest it will be quite the extrovert when it has fully blossomed with bottle age. I really like this wine. 2024-2065+. View From The Cellar 93.