Kerpen’s 2007 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese feinherb displays wet stone and alkaline notes in the nose. Apple and grapefruit are accented by toasted nuts and apple pips on a satisfyingly juicy, subtly bitter palate, and the saline, stony, alkaline finish here offers a veritable mineral bath. This should be worth following for 6-8 years. While Martin Kerpen’s extensive array of dry Rieslings from 2007 is not on quite the superlative order of their immediate predecessors, his residually sweet wines are again highly successful.Importer: Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel (516) 677-9300

Kerpen’s 2005 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese feinherb offers aromas and flavors of toasted nuts, faintly caramelized apple, and yellow plum, with a creamy texture on the palate. Nevertheless, there is ample fresh fruit acidity to keep this lively and refreshing. The finish is admirably clear, polished, and refined, with pure fresh fruit, a distinctively caramelized layer, and site-typical nuttiness. I would enjoy drinking this young but one could no doubt expect to continue enjoying it at ten or a dozen years of age. Importer: Terry Theise Estate Selections, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300