DB Schmitt, Sylvaner Zold 2021

Place: Rheinhessen, Germany

Grape: Sylvaner

Vibe: Serious Skins

How good is Sylvaner? Everyone gushes over Riesling, but this is also a grape that can do it all. Like Riesling, but with more focus on herbs and spice. Especially here, where subtle skin contact and plenty of time in bottle has pushed the primary fruit back to reveal something really interesting. White pepper, bay, and botanicals, then comes that drying citrus fruit and apple skin grip. Serious stuff.