Yeasty, fermentative notes in the nose of the virtually-dry Sankt Urbans-Hof 2008 Mehringer Riesling Spatlese feinherb disburse to reveal suggestions of herbal distillate along with lime and rhubarb that then inform a tart, invigorating palate. This is not the low-toned, rich Riesling I expect from Mehring, but it is by no means deficient in ripeness or a sense of stony minerality, and is wholly consistent with the typical character of its vintage, finishing with infectious refreshment. I would expect it to keep well for at least 6-8 years. For more on this site, consult my review in issue 183. Sankt Urbans-Hof, notes proprietor Nik Weis, experienced a good ten degrees Oechsle difference in 2008 between its ripest Saar fruit – bottled as Spatlese – and that of the Mosel, which reached Auslese level even without stringent selection of botrytis fruit. “We find this a terrific vintage,” remarks Weis – who compares its style with 1998 – “inasmuch as at long last we again have the clear differentiation between Kabinett as it should be, Spatlese, and ennobled Auslese.” Remarkably, there is only a single trocken bottling here this year (from Mehring) which I did not taste and which was destined for the Landhaus Sankt Urban restaurant of Weis’s sister and brother-in-law.Importer: H. B. Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (917)-402-0456