The pale straw wine had a muted nose of pears. Flavors of pears, apples, and kiwis were beaultifully balanced by the crisp acidity. Ready now. 91 at opening. 92 at last sip. Served with zucchini soup and pate de campagna.

The following is a review of the wine from Vino!:

"2001 GERMAN RIESLING
REGION: PFALZ

WEINGUT DR. VON BASSERMANN-JORDAN
1. 2001 FORSTER JESUITENGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT, $18-$20
2. 2001 FORSTER JESUITENGARTEN RIESLING SPATLESE, $23-$25

This estate has been an over-achiever for the past decade, and its does not disappoint here. Both wines are stunning for their types, with intense, fragrant fruit, and unusual richness. The Kabinett is more like a Spatlese: medium bodied, elegantly flavored (cherimoya, honeysuckle), well balanced, and very long on the finish. AP #027. The Spatlese is extremely intense and refined, tasting of pineapple, peach, guava, and jasmine; it is medium bodied, round, off dry, and long on the finish. AP #44. Drink through 2007."

The Pfalz region is the warmest and flattest of the regions and can make some interesting wines. They look more like vineyards as we know them (rolling hills and even some flat lands as opposed to most German vineyards which are on the steep slopes on the north side of the river). They tend to be more tropical in flavors and that is certainly shown in the TN's. I've only tried Kurt Darting from this region and their wines have been stunning, if not over the top.

Thanks for the notes. Looks like I got a buy. I paid $15 for the Spatlese. There were four bottles remaining in the store. I'll top by mañana and see if any are still there.

I went back last night. All gone.

Board-O, thanks for posting this. I wanted to expand my German riesling horizon and Pfalz is a region that has some potential, but most of what comes out of there is pedestrian. But a good Pfalz can be very interesting with some exotic tropical fruit characteristics. Now I have an estate and vineyard to look for other than Kurt Darting Durkheimer Nonnengarten.

I assuaged my sorrow over losing the remaining bottles of this with Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese from Erbes. A 91 pointer for $9.59.