Published on jamessuckling.com, 09/16/20

Riffel Rheinhessen Scharlachberg 2019 Score: 98 Points The best botrytis produced in this part of Germany in a long time! Deep, dried-apricot and mango nose, then a very concentrated palate that keeps pumping out the super ripe flavors, but has a wonderfully fresh acidity that powers the very long finish. From biodynamically grown . Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Scharlachberg 2019 Score: 97 Points If you want to know what makes 2019 in Germany extraordinary, then taste this dry white that hits the mineral bullseye! Wonderful, smoke and mirabelle nose that’s fascinating and uplifting! Manages to feel almost weightless, yet be concentrated and tightly structured, the finish glittering with a ton of crystals. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Scharlachberg 116° 2019 Score: 97 Points Extremely intense dried-peach, pear and apricot nose with great basil freshness! In spite of the serious concentration and the sweetness that’s linked intimately to that, this Auslese is anything but heavy. In fact, the bright mineral acidity at the stunning finish is the best thing about it. Very limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Scharlachberg Auslese 105° 2019 Score: 96 Points Stunning nose of candied orange, dried peach and floral honey! Succulent and concentrated with a breathtaking interplay of richness and vibrancy through the very intense, honey and mineral finish. Very limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Scharlachberg Spätlese 2019 Score: 95 Points How can you resist the most beautiful summer-meadow, ripe-pear and white-peach aromas? This is a very sophisticated riesling Spätlese with so much elegance and a very long, uplifting finish that could wake the dead. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Kirchberg Trocken 2019 Score: 94 Points Too much of a good thing? No, but it’s a close call. The intense mineral freshness makes the mirabelle, exotic-fruit and floral aromas sparkle like snow in the sunshine. There’s so much packed into this sleek silhouette, the tannins cranking up the pressure that provides the drive for the long, super crisp finish. Easily the best ever vintage of this GG equivalent! From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better in 2021.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Scharlachberg Auslese 2019 Score: 94 Points An elegant riesling Auslese that you could easily mistake for a or wine, due to its delicacy and the very lively interplay of berry aromas and lemony acidity. Long, very clean finish. Limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Binger Quarzit trocken 2019 Score: 94 Points Where is the seafood platter? Very smoky and mineral, this sleek and tightly-wound dry riesling is only just getting into its stride and has great potential. The finish is at once playful yet deep. From biodynamically grown grapes with Ecovin certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

2019 Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Scharlachberg 2019 Score: 93 Points Gigantic refreshment, but also a delicate, flinty character that’s so distinctive. This is a very crisp and bright riesling that’s barely off-dry, but has so many lemon and white-fruit aromas. Super bright and long, mineral finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen Osterberg Trocken 2019 Score: 92 Points The slight, youthful, yeasty funk blows off quickly with aeration, but this remains a bit closed. However, you can already feel the hardcore personality of this cool, dark wine that proves not all impressive German are pretty. The bold, crisp and mineral finish is the best part of the wine. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better after 2021.

Riffel Rheinhessen Binger Quarzit trocken 2019 Score: 91 Points Intensely earthy and leesy on the nose, this is a very striking dry silvaner that also has a ton of freshness. Good depth and a hint of floral honey on the palate suggest this needs some bottle age to open up. Very attractive combination of creaminess and mineral at the long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better in 2021. Screw cap.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen trocken 2019 Score: 91 Points I love the delicate pear, spring-flower and cinnamon notes of this well-structured and surprisingly concentrated estate riesling. Long, pleasantly dry but not tart finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Riffel Riesling Rheinhessen feinherb 2019 Score: 91 Points Barely off-dry, this is an extremely food-friendly wine with great vibrancy. I love the lemon-cream and sliced yellow-apple aromas. Good depth and excellent balance and the finish is very clean and quite minerally. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.

Riffel Silvaner Rheinhessen trocken 2019 Score: 89 Points Plenty of fresh, green and yellow-apple character on this light-bodied, crisp but harmonious dry white with a nice touch of spritz. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap.