Villa Maria's 1999 Riesling Private Bin is delicious. Hints of sweetened Earl Grey tea are found in its otherwise apricot compote-dominated aromatics. Its white fruit and orange zest-flavored personality is rich and robust enough to easily mask its 8.5 grams of residual sugar. An ideal aperitif wine, it should be consumed over the next two years. It is an excellent value.
Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel (205) 980-8802.