Mint, fresh apple, and honeydew melon inform the nose of Kruger-Rumpf 2008 Munsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett and follow on a juicy palate. This is simple but impeccably balanced and lip-smackingly lingering. What’s more, I don’t doubt it will remain delicious for a decade or more. As Georg Rumpf points out, this 8.5% alcohol, 88 Oechsle, yet neither unripe nor overly sweet-tasting Riesling is something he hasn’t seen since he began helping in the vineyards as a child – and something we already knew when we had our conversation that he would not see in 2009. The Rumpfs seem in 2008 to have had to struggle less to avoid the greenness that was observed in certain of their 2007s. “There was just nothing you could do this year,” comments Georg Rumpf, “except let the fruit hang a long time on the vine.”Importer: Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

Attractive notes of lime, vanilla and mango match the lightweight frame in this elegant white. This has fine length, with a mineral accent lurking in the background. Drink now through 2020.??–BS??Region: Germany / Nahe Select to Add