Andrew Jefford: Pale gold. A slightly terse, slightly grouchy aromatic profile: a little peach skin and apple core, but not much more. Time in the glass sees a little more aromatic articulacy emerge, and some leafy complexities with it. The flavors, though, are very pure, very dry, very long, almost shocking. Driving (though round-shouldered) apple fruit, packed in lots of sappy leaf, with a decidedly mineral finish. This wine makes no attempt whatsoever to seduce or charm: It’s a force of nature. The vineyard seems to bark at the drinker, and the drinker might retreat… but that would be a mistake. This would make wonderfully provocative, ruminative drinking. 16.5

Andreas Larsson: Young, floral, and grapey on the nose, still a bit reserved; the palate, however, is more generous, and offers a nice mouthwatering freshness and youthful fruit. Good length and potential. 15

Stephan Reinhardt: Shining white/white gold. Reductive nose and aldehyde flavors. But beyond there is a refined, ripe Riesling fruit. Very rich and powerful on the palate, very ripe fruit flavors, a little bitter due to sur lie aging and, I assume, high alcohol. 2012 is definitely not the year to uncork this wine, and I wouldn’t give up too early. Well structured and very mineral, with firm acidity and good sweetness—everything a wine needs to improve over the years. 17