A striking, racing wintergreen note I have never before noticed with this variety graces the nose of the Eymaels’ 2008 Ungsteiner Herrenberg Scheurebe Beerenauslese, one of two nobly sweet wines of its grape harvested here on November 18. Honeydew melon liqueur, grapefruit marmalade, peach preserves, banana, sage, peppermint, and wintergreen inform a rich, subtly creamy, yet refreshing palate that displays 2008's distinctive talent for being both soothing and invigorating. There is levity, refreshment, and elegance that helps render this irresistible sip after sip, just as it’s apt to remain for at least 25 years. You’d never guess that 80% of the fruit was shriveled from botrytis – unless, of course, you’re familiar with how close to miraculous the truly noble effects of that fungus can be. It threatened to become another 2006, said Jan Eymael of the mid-September, 2008 rain, but even in the warmest parts of the Pfalz the weather stayed relatively cool, and he did not pick the first Rieslings until September 30, then continuing off and on for three weeks. The later it got, the better the grapes became, comments Eymael. Another month on the vine allowed for the November 18 picking of two magnificent nobly sweet Scheureben.Importer: Rudi Wiest, Cellars International, Carlsbad, CA; tel. (800) 596-9463