J.B. Becker Riesling Oberberg Auslese Trocken (2021) – Becker’s Rödchen Auslese Trocken is a gut-punch of a wine, burly and powerful while also being pretty delineated. This is ripe stone fruits, almost a nectar, apricots and stones. Deep with great length and energy. This will make old bones. Hans Josef says “the Rödchen is closer to Walkenberg… it is more…” and then he makes a curious gesture with his hand, where it’s a fist that opens and then he shakes it around as if he’s writing a short note to a friend in the air. I can’t say I understand exactly what he meant, but I do write in my notes: “Honestly this wine is fucking awesome.”