While I did not taste all of Richter’s trocken offerings this year – and they are usually not his strongest suit – his 2008 Muhlheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Auslese trocken is impressively rich while retaining a nice sense of vivacity and (at 12.5%) alcoholic proportionality. High-toned aromas of kirsch and lime peel as well as the piquancy of cherry pit and toasted nuts on the palate of this persistently juicy, citric, yet subtly silken-textured Riesling put me distinctly in mind of nearby Bernkastel. Richter thinks this will round out and become creamier; I would plan on utilizing it over the next 4-5 years. “We had the November weather in October, and the lovely October weather in November,” says Dirk Richter of 2008, thereby essentially explaining his harvest strategy. He ameliorated acidity through skin contact; nature helped by precipitating tartrates; and nonetheless, some wines were de-acidified already as must. Richter is pleased to characterize the results as “classic Mosel Rieslings,” and since Richter spends a great deal of time promoting his wines in the U.S. I am happy to be able to concur in that description, even if some of his 2008s are only modestly successful. Richter admits that this collection is likely at least for the short term to be overshadowed by those on either side of it, but speculates that the 2008s will have their day if given time.Importer: Langdon-Shiverick Cleveland,?OH; tel. (216) 861-6800