The Thanisch 2011 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett exhibits some of the same not unpleasantly split personality as the corresponding generic Q.b.A.: on the one hand nearly overripe evocations of apple and musk melon; on the other, brightly engaging fresh lime backed by residual CO2, with a sorbet-like net effect. While only modestly persistent, it delivers some wet stone and alkaline interest, its levity and generosity rendering it a good choice for solo sipping through 2016. Sofia Thanisch picked during the first three weeks of October in 2011. Most of the Auslese was selected early and there was not, she relates, much difference in picking date separating Kabinett and Spatlese. “We were as shocked by the low acidity as we had been by how high the acids were in 2010,” notes Thanisch, but, in fact, neither proved to be a significant handicap. Various importers, including P. J. Valckenberg International, Tulsa, OK; tel. (918) 622-0424