2023 Peter Lauer Riesling Kern No. 9 Feinherb Saar

95 Vinous - The 2023 Riesling Ayler Kupp Kern No. 9 was harvested across the Ayler Kupp extension, from deeper soils at the bottom to poor stone at the top. Facing southwest, it benefits from evening sun and experiences significant diurnal swing. The nose remains funky and reductive, but vivid, juicy passionfruit dominates both nose and palate, filling everything with its mouthwatering tart tropical aroma. The finish is wonderfully zesty and strikes a disarming balance. 

95 Suckling - At once youthful, fresh and expressively xotic, with plenty of passion fruit aromas, this off-dry Saar riesling is easy to enjoy. It is also highly structured and very focused on the medium-bodied palate. At this early stage in its life, the extremely long, wet-stone finish is most impressive. Those who are patient will be rewarded. 

92+ Mosel Fine Wines - The 2023 “Kern” N°9, as it is referred to in the central part of the label, is a fully off-dry wine (with 37 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit picked in a complete cross section (bottom to top) of a prime south-west-facing old-vine parcel (called Kern) situated well into the side valley on the original Ayler Kupp hill. It offers a quite enjoyable nose made of bergamot, white flowers, grapefruit, and spices on the nose. The wine is beautifully racy and tart on the palate, where grapefruit zest mingles with creamy elements. The finish is still rather firm and tart but full of potential, especially as the tartness recedes.