Richter’s 2009 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett is almost too bright (in contrast to most Mosel Rieslings of its vintage) for the amount of sensory information that it presently conveys. Tart, juicy apple, along with fresh lemon and grapefruit are allied to a classic Mosel suggestion of wet stone, and this lithe refresher might well develop some complexity in the course of what I have little doubt will be at the very least a dozen years of good health. While yields were down significantly in Muhlheim and Brauneberg – particularly due to peronospora – and sorting almost universally required, Dirk Richter reports that his overall 2009 crop was above- average volume, though he acknowledges that due to the need for relatively intensive spraying against fungal pests, both its ripening and the evolution of the resulting wines were retarded. Kabinetts were not picked until the last days of October; acid levels of most wines are well above vintage average; there was little Auslese; and some wines (Kabinetts, as it happens!) had not yet bottled when I visited in September. Richer – whose Rieslings from top sites continue to be bargain-priced – has just taken over a section of Erdener Treppchen that is in the family of his cellarmaster, who has no heirs. While there were still stocks of some 2008 vintage Rieslings available when I visited in September, the 2009 Richter Pinot Blanc had already been sold out without remainder, so I did not get chance to taste that of-late often promising bottling.Importer: Langdon-Shiverick Cleveland, OH; tel. (216) 861-6800

A light style, offering green peach and apple flavors that feature plenty of mineral and herbal notes. A hint of honey cream marks the finish. Drink now through 2018. 650 cases made.??–KM??Region: Germany / Mosel Select to Add