Albert Boxler – Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg E 2020

Robert Parker, 98p:
From 45- and 47-year-old vines in a very steep and stony plot that is 400 meters above sea level, the 2016 Riesling Grand Cru Sommerberg Eckberg (or Sommerberg E in Europe) is superbly floral on the pure, mineral, fruity nose that reflects the granitic soil of the Sommerberg perfectly. This nose is like a painting of granite or granitic Riesling from an ideal world. Lush and round but highly elegant and refined on the palate, this is a salty, pure, intense and very persistent Eckberg with an endlessly salty, lush and elegantly fruity finish. Next to the Brand Kirchberg, this is Albert Boxler’s finest Riesling from the 2016 vintage, although it probably needs more time to develop. It has lingering salinity combined with very fine tannins, and the aftertaste is endless. This is a great, great Riesling, and it will improve further with bottle age.