Schlossgut Diel Goldloch Riesling Sekt Brut

Score

95

"An extremely creamy and subtle sparkling riesling with a very long, super-elegant finish and a ton of salty minerals at the bone-dry finish. Drink or hold."

Score

93

"This represents the third (August, 2018) disgorgement of the 2008 Goldloch méthode champenoise – two months shy of a decade after the grapes were harvested. Scents of ocean breeze, subtle sourdough yeastiness, Meyer lemon zest and crushed stone anticipate the mineral complexity, tang and stimulating piquancy that follow on a palate that is flatteringly silken, albeit also suffused with fine-grained mousse. Flavors of ripe white peach add a welcome, complementary albeit discreet fruit element. There is an unexpected and delightful sense of lift for a sparkler of 12% alcohol. The long finish tugs at the salivary glands in its salinity while proving transparent to vast mineral intrigue. “I think what you’re detecting [in the finish] is what all those cobbles in the vineyard contribute,” remarks Diel. I’m pretty sure I would recall it if I had ever had a German Riesling Sekt any finer than this one. (The very finest German Sekts I have tasted – including from Diel – have interestingly enough tended to be Pinot- rather than being Riesling-based.)"