Thursday, September 12, 2024, Stuart Pigott

2022 Forst Kirchenstück Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs trocken – 93 P
The developing aromas of candied citrus and dried peaches pull you into this succulent ands well-structured Pfalz riesling GG. Plenty of fine tannins, and they underline the fruit very well. Quite a firm finish that may not be for everyone, but there’s plenty of depth there. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

2022 Forst Pechstein Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs trocken – 93 P
An austere style, but the mineral intensity of this compact, leesy and focused wine is impressive. Medium- to full-bodied with a firm structure and a lot of drive. Restrained candied citrus fruit, then an emphatically dry finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

2022 Forst Jesuitengarten Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs trocken – 92 P
There’s no denying that this has good depth, plenty of ripe citrus character and an attractive creaminess on the medium- to full-bodied palate. In spite of this, it lacks a bit of the drive and excitement that we expect from a very top site like this. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

2022 Forst Freundstück Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs trocken – 91 P
At once juicy and well structured, this has so much going for it, but the oaky aromas are quite prominent and either you go for that or you don’t. Seriously tannic finish with a lot of power, and some nice candied citrus character. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

2022 Forst Ungeheuer Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs trocken – 91 P
This Pfalz riesling GG has very good integration of restrained oak and citrusy fruit. Quite developed on the medium- to full-bodied palate, where the structure is quite firm and charm is at a premium. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

2022 Deidesheim Kieselberg Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs trocken – 89 P
This is quite developed and quite tannic, and you have to ask if this much wood is really necessary. There is some appealing candied citrus character, but the structure behind it is not amazing. At the finish it seems to already be fading slightly. Drink up.

2022 Ruppertsberg Reiterpfad-Hofstück Riesling VDP.Grosses Gewächs trocken – 87 P
This has a thick, leesy character that dominates the candied citrus fruit on the nose and is also quite strong on the palate. There’s some oaky character, too. All this is going to need some time to marry, and the question is how much fruit will it lose before that happens? From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold (at your own risk!).