2017 Donnhoff Tonschiefer Dry Slate Riesling

The 2017 Tonschiefer Trocken is also excellent, showing a bit more depth and complexity than the Estate Trocken. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a classy mix of grapefruit, lemongrass, a touch of wild yeast, a complex base of slate and a topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is medium-full, crisp and well-balanced, with a fine core of fruit, lovely, salty mineral drive on the backend, crisp acids and a long, poised and complex finish. Fine juice. Drink 2018-2035+. 90+points

If you can’t get to the spa gardens of the Nahe town of Bad Kreuznach to breathe in the salt-laden air emanating from its graduation walls, the fragrance of the Tonschiefer comes quite close to the real thing. If you still think minerality can’t be smelt, the Tonschiefer may be able to convince you otherwise. The 2017 is cool, sharp and dry. 16 points