9% alcohol
Very pale yellow color
Aromatic nose of tropical fruit and apricot, continuing on the palate. Very well balanced on the palate with just enough sweetness to make it interesting. It was also interesting how the various flavor components would come to the front as the wine opened up. No botrytis. Incredibly long finish.

I've been wanting to see if the WS's rating on the German 2001s was legit. I found this at a local store ($26) and saw that it was pretty highly regarded by the WS (92) so I thought I'd give it a try. I have to agree with them, 91-92 points.

We opened one of these this weekend with a friend. I have had this wine 3 times thus far and it is one of my favorite 2001 spatleses. The wine was still very good, but the finish is greatly diminished from both other times I have had this. It was still very sweet with refreshing acidity - a very tasty wine. But it just wasn't as "WOW" as we've tasted before. Whereas the other 2 times the finish stayed with you for 15 seconds, this dissappeared quite quickly and you were just left with "sweet".

I've heard the 2001s are going to sleep. I would have to agree based on this bottle. I probably won't touch the rest I've put down for a while.

This is very good to hear. I've got 3 bottles of the Auslese and don't intend to touch them for quite some time.

The 2003 version of this wine is mighty fine as well.

jb

Duke-

I thought this was even better than a 91 more like a 93-94. The Gold Kapsule is supposedly amazing per Vino Me

In fact, nothing I've had from '02 and '03 is as good, imo. The '02 G NR Spatlese was somewhat disappointing though the Auslese was better.

The '01 vintage is truly a classic with so many wines better than anything since for Kabinett thru Auslese, in all price ranges from $10-$45. Factor in price and it's no contest.

I've heard '04 is a return to more classic style.

Dr T,
You're probably right. I hadn't had many Rieslings at that point in time, and after tasting more of them, it really does stand out as an exceptional bottle. I certainly wish I had more.