Vinous (91)

Golden yellow. Aromas of ripe peach, guava and dates, with a hint of spicy botrytis. A cool minerality gives a refreshing quality to the luscious citrus fruit flavors. The finish is dominated by a spicy elegance rather than an impression of weight.

The Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2004 is a majestic exemplar of German Riesling craftsmanship. Produced in the esteemed Fritz Haag estate, nestled within the Mosel's Brauneberger Juffer vineyard, this wine is bracingly fresh yet exhibits incredible ageing potential.

Considered an 'Auslese,' it's crafted using selectively handpicked overripe grapes, ensuring a high concentration of natural sugars. This 2004 vintage from the 'Sonnenuhr' site, known for its sundial landmark and south-facing slate soils, captures sunlight, providing optimal ripeness.

The resulting wine is a masterful balance of honeyed sweetness and racy acidity, adorned with notes of ripe summer fruits, underpinned by filigreed minerality. Fritz Haag, a seven-generation family business, continues to receive critical acclaim for their deft touch in crafting such orchestrating wines, their winemaking prowess embodied in the Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2004.

Emanating from the grandiose terraces of Dalsheim, the Keller Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Auslese 2004 is a splendid vintage from the esteemed Keller Winery. Famed for their mastery of Riesling production, Keller combines time-honoured techniques with the unique terroir of Rheinhessen. This Auslese is carefully selected from late harvest, noble rot grapes, and legislature mandates a minimum 120° Oechsle – guaranteeing truly magnificent concentration and complexity.

This captivating 2004 expression is a kaleidoscope of honeyed peach, invigorating lime zest, and subtle undercurrents of botrytis. The balance between intense fruitiness and vital acidity is masterful, providing an enduring finish that is both dreamy and refreshing. Aging from Hubacker's distinctive loess, loam and limestone soils further distinguishes the Keller Dalsheimer Hubacker Riesling Auslese 2004, making it a sought-after choice among discerning oenophiles. The harmony of depth, elegance, and vibrancy offered by this wine is a testament to Keller's virtuosity and the exceptional terroir of Rheinhessen.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2004 Vintage Port Nacional is a declared Vintage Port aged for 18 months in wooden casks. An old vines field blend, it comes in at just 79 grams per liter of residual sugar, rather dry on paper and in perception. Typically graceful and leaning on elegance in the mid-palate, it is laced with some herbs and rhubarb up front. It is very aromatic and it opens with a distinctive flavor profile compared to others in the Vintage Port lineup that I had open. In the mid-palate, it seems like a very fine table wine in some ways, showing remarkable finesse and focus, and a rather dry finish. It is completely closed and gives little. The structure and the underlying concentration are all obvious, though. They are classic and they make this a cellar candidate from the get-go. Despite being over a decade old, this is tight, firm, powerful and too young. After playing around with it for several days, I saw it finally begin to blossom, to show fresh fruit and something besides austerity. By the end of the week, it was far more evolved, showing its wonderful concentration, increasingly interesting intensity of flavor and a long finish. It is never obvious, but it is always quite gorgeous. This is an old school Port on an old school schedule. It needs cellaring. If extended aeration makes it at least a bit approachable, it is not exactly showing all it has and all it can be. Be patient--even if it is more approachable in a decade or so, that won't be even close to its peak. If you're patient and young, give it a try around 2040.

Vinous (92)

(90% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 3% cabernet franc) Bright red-ruby. Aromas of currant, graphite, coffee, dark chocolate and clove; lots of sexy new oak showing. Lush and silky on entry, but has enough acidity to frame and enliven its deep flavors of currant and graphite. This bottling represents a distinctly and intentionally modern style for Vergelegen, but also boasts very good structure and verve. Finishes long and brooding, with palate-saturating flavors and broad, noble tannins.