Ruined Riesling

Wehlener Sonnenuhr
2000 Riesling Auslese, Mosel
$35 (375 ml)
Shane’s Notes

Unfortunately, this bottle of wine was ruined. We extracted the cork and noticed that the wine had traveled up the sides of the cork (the cork was stained up to the top) and soaked the top of the cork leaving mildew on it. Each time we notice that this has happened to a cork, the wine is at least partially ruined. This one was drinkable but much flabbier than it should have been, and the palate was clearly damaged. The palate had a honeyed flavor with a bit of minerality but lacked the complexity we think it would have had if it had not been damaged. We were very disappointed. We no longer laugh when we buy a bottle of wine with a screw cap.