Weingut Paulinshof, Brauneberger Kammer, Riesling Auslese trocken, 2007

I bought this wine when I last visited Philglas & Swiggot, one of my favourite London wine merchants. Apparently, Paulinshof is one of their long-term favourites, so I was curious to try one. Paulinshof is an old winery from the Mosel region, exclusively focussed on Riesling. So let's see what they have to offer!

A nice golden colour that almost seems to have a touch of brown to it. Or maybe it is just me being influenced by the elaborate bottle and label (I so need to get a better camera, but soon!). The nose of the Paulinshof Riesling is dominated by ripe stone fruit and paraffin, mixed with a little caramel, herbs and some vegetable - an interesting mix of sweet, overripe and bitter.

The taste of this dry Riesling is very similar to the bouquet, with the bitter vegetable a little stronger perhaps. Just add a hint of tobacco and smooth candy and some mineral, the latter especially for the finish. A little on the vegetable-petrol side, this Riesling is more forceful than elegant, but not without some sophistication.

Because of the slightly bitter petrol notes this is perhaps not a wine for beginners, unless you combine it with food. Yesterday we had it with an asparagus risotto with asparagus fried in parma ham and a follow-up course of seared tuna - it went fine with both of them.