Still marketed as Sp?tlese trocken on the back label, the 2004 Heerkretz Riesling GG is Daniel Wagner's very first Grosses Gew?chs, and it comes from a coolish vintage with often-vegetal aromas and savory acidity in the wines. 2004 was also the year when Wagner-Stempel became member of the VDP. The 2004 Heerkretz is coolish, stony, herbal and savory or rather thrifty on the nose that indicates discreet or just-ripe fruit aromas intermingled with some saline nuances. Coolish, fresh and almost sour on the palate (the total acidity is 8.5 grams per liter), this is an herbal/vegetal Riesling whose residual sugar of 10.4 grams per liter gives some roundness, finesse and even charm. However, the wine is by far less intense and complex as it is nowadays, and it's a rather modest premiere in the GG circus. The grapes were picked between October 22 and November 16. Bottled with 12.5% stated alcohol. Tasted in August 2023.