2019 Max Ferdinand Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*** cask 42 (375ml)

Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter produces world-class Rieslings from some of the most esteemed vineyards in the Mosel, and all production comes from estate holdings. The terroir of their steep vineyard sites is generally grey slate with different compositions of ferruginous (Brauneberg), mineral quartz (Veldenz) or clay (Graach, Wehlen, Mülheim) soils; those deeply influence character and flavour of the wines. In order to reduce quantity and increase concentration, pruning is severe and in prolific years a green harvest is carried out in August. The vintage is picked much later than that of most growers and is done entirely by hand. Three passes are done to select the best qualities to eliminate all inferior grapes and to keep perfect botrytis bunches or single berries for Auslese qualities and above. The same attention is paid to all vines from the QBAs on up through the Eisweins.

Other Reviews....
From a very young and very old part of the cru, the 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** –42– is the pre-selection of the TBA, and the grapes weighed in at 145° Oechsle. The lime- and lemon-tinged, very intense and aromatic bouquet is amazingly fine, fresh and pure on the nose, displaying ripe stone fruit and pineapple aromas intermixed with the flinty and spicy notes of the specific slate soils in the WSU. Based on 70% to 80% botrytis grapes, this is a sweet yet highly refined and piquant Beerenauslese sold as a three-starred or "highly finessed" Auslese. This is a really delicate and promising Sonnenuhr of great class and style, with lingering and stimulating finesse and salinity. Fabulous. Tasted at the domain in September 2020. Drink 2030 - 2080.
98 points
Stephan Reinhardt - Wine Advocate (Oct 2020)

A breathtaking Auslese with a cornucopia of exotic fruit, flowers and herbs. Packed with super ripe fruit, but so bright and precise with great energy. Hard to resist this combination of tropical seduction and uplifting freshness. Drink or hold.
97 points
Stuart Pigott - jamessuckling.com

The 2019er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** -42-, as it is referred to on the consumer label, was made from partially botrytized (60%) fruit picked at 140° Oechsle on old vines and also virgin vines, and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar (150 g/l). It offers a most subtle nose of a BA as scents of exotic fruits (pineapple, coconut, starfruit, etc.) mingle with some dried fruits (date and fig) and some creamy almond paste. The wine is stunningly complex and balanced on the palate, where multi-layered and refined flavors of creamy fruits are wrapped into some ripe but firm acidity. While intense, the wine remains superbly light-footed and beautifully alluring. This gorgeous sweet wine is a huge success! Drink 2029-2059.
97 points
Jean Fisch & David Rayer - Mosel Fine Wines