We have had Riesling featured in our blind tastings in the past, but this was our first comprehensive comparison of examples from around the globe. Split evenly between Old World and New World appellations, we aimed to showcase a wide variety of wines, all in dry to nearly dry styles.
Our top three wines ended up with just a handful of points in separation at the finally tally, with the winner a refined German bottle showing laser-like acidity and focus. The second-place bottle was also the best value of the night ($15!), coming from a classic producer in California, offering both ripeness and texture.
Overall, these exceeded expectations, paired well with food, and only one bottle showed some undesirable qualities.
Most photography by Andy.
First Place: Keller Riesling von der Fels 2023 (Rheinhessen). An estate bottled, trocken version, showing just a bare hint of spritz, then a nose of ripe honeydew melon, a little bit of gasoline, green apples, grass, stone fruit, wet stone, flowers, and limes. Bright and fresh. On the palate, tasters found flavors of green apples and lime juice, with plenty of acidity, but also nearly juicy. Focused and really pleasant. Andy described this with "my tongue is getting loud, everything is firing", with Resa noting, "I want to chew this one a little bit." David described "crunchy acidity." Gained complexity as the night progressed. Andy P, Kristin, and Resa's favorite of the night, for a total of 28 points. David's bottle. About $55.
Second Place: Wente Riesling Riverbank 2023 (Central Coast). Certified sustainable. Pretty and refreshing, with scents of limes, lily flower, river rock, clean laundry, and almonds. Hints of a little sweat and bubble gum. Inviting. Ali was reminded of "fresh sweat on an attractive person." More tropical notes than the others, like a hint of pineapple and lychee flavors, plus almonds and key lime pie. Balanced, with great texture, and a notion of pickle juice. David and Ali's favorite, with 24 total points. Resa's bottle. About $15.
Third Place: Trimbach Riesling 2022 (Alsace). Perfumed nose, like honeysuckle, clean chalkboard, turpentine, maple syrup, brown sugar, kerosene, anise, orange peel, and notions of spice. Full in texture and more mouthcoating than the others, with richer, ripe citrus fruit flavors, then notes of briny capers, orange blossom, lime zest, and sea salt. Good complexity and overall harmony. Andy P's favorite. 23 points. Kristin's bottle. About $23.
Leeuwin Estate Riesling Art Series 2023 (Margaret River). Petrol, ear wax, rubber glove, lanolin, melon, spinach, and broccoli rabe scents. A touch medicinal. Briny in the mouth, like pickles or olive juice, then flavors of lemon juice and citrus pith on the finish. Good, but not quite as well-balanced, coming off as a bit flat on the finish. Ali noted that it "tastes tan." 7 points. Ali's bottle. About $18.
Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling 2023 (Columbia Valley). Tasters found scents of chalkboard eraser, coconuts, crushed chalk, citrus, and loose change. Cantaloupe, nectarine, and peaches on the palate, plus black licorice late, then a little residual sugar on the finish, where an anise note appears. 2 points. Andy P's bottle. About $10.
Bründlmayer Riesling Ried Heiligenstein 2019 (Kamptal). Organic. Yellow in color, with scents of toasted marshmallows, French toast, burnt sugar, and kettle corn. Toasty. The flavor of burnt hair, then fatty and buttery notes, and a hint of bitterness. Red apples. Andy R was reminded of "an old church", and Andy P noted that it was "borderline like a cider." Kristin said that she "would pour this in a plant and order a gin and tonic", while Andy P decided that "It smells like a food I might want to eat, but not like a wine I want to drink." No points. Andy R's bottle. About $49.
JULY 2025: WORLD OF RIESLING
