The 2012 Heerkretz Riesling GG is the result of the longest harvest period in Daniel Wagner's era, which started in 1992. Handpicked between October 3 and 30 after a choppy (or rainy) June and July and sunny August and September, the 2012 offers a clear and fruit-intense, very aromatic and slightly iodine-inflected bouquet that indicates class and ripeness. Round and mouthfilling on the palate, this is a rather charming, grippy and persistently aromatic and saline-finishing classic with a fruitier rather than stony character. The residual sugar level, at least for the first half of the decade, was higher than it has been since then, which here and there takes a bit of precision and excitement, but it is certainly a crowd-pleaser. The 2012 is rich and elegant, generous, fine and fabulous but does not have the thrill and tension of the 2013. It's very long and aromatic, though, but it needs a rich and spicy dish to pair with it. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted from magnum at the domaine in late August 2023.