The Jost Estate has a well-earned reputation for producing highly elegant, top-flight Rieslings, and this ’02 Spätlese is a perfect example of their commitment to quality and of their wine-making expertise in what many wine lovers consider to be an excellent vintage for German Rieslings.

This Spätlese has a fantastic mouth-feel with gripping intensity that provides an ample offering of apricot, quince and pineapple flavors. The middle palate carries a rich suggestion of plum and citrus tones in addition to a lingering sidelong glance of slate and minerality. The finish carries off with a suggestion of honeysuckle and is framed with moderate acidity.

I enjoyed this with a spicy curried duck salad and it was a perfect match, as the ample fruit in the wine was an ideal ballast to the boyant heat carried in the curry. In addition fiery Chinese, Korean or Thai dishes—seafood, pork, or fowl —tend to be ideal companions to Spätlese.

—Donald

“Rich and zippy, offering apricot, quince and stone flavors matched to a racy, lightweight structure. Lingering appley finish. Drink now through 2015. 500 cases made.” —WS 89