The 2006 Westhofener Moorstein Riesling Grosses Gewachs fermented and aged in a 1,200 liter cask that Keller particularly likes, but for which his volume of Moorstein in many years is insufficient. It seems indeed as though the barrel accentuates in a positive way the saline, smoky natural tendencies of Riesling in this site, which along with notes of nutmeg accent the ripe pear fruit. Quite opulent and full on the palate, this then slims down to a refined, predominantly mineral (smoky, saline, stony) finish. Along with the aforementioned Grosses Gewachs bottlings, I would follow this over the coming 3-5 years. Klaus-Peter Keller says his grapes weren’t soft yet when the August rain hit, and he harvested late by local standards – from 6th-26th of October – by which time the nights were cool, which in his opinion preserved the aromas, warded-off botrytis, and allowed him to achieve normal crop levels, expressive ripeness and dry wines in the 11.9-13% alcohol range. Imported by Sussex Wine Merchants, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644; also imported by Dee Vine Wines, San Francisco, CA; tel. (877) 389-9463