Pale, golden-tinge yellow. Clean aromas of pineapple, orange marmalade, sweet spices and minerals are complicated by an exotic note of cinnamon and a hint of noble rot. Richer and riper on the palate than the Rangen, with soft apricot and tropical fruit flavors lifted by a lemongrass nuance. The finishing flavors of sweet pear and apricot are extremely long and pure. The Brand is almost always a bigger wine than the Rangen, and the numbers tell the story: 13.7% alcohol, 10 g/l r.s. and 7.3 g/l acidity. I had trouble choosing between this and the '08 Rangen: they're both great wines.

(13.7% alcohol, 10 grams r.s. and 7.3 grams acidity; this was made from the healthy grapes that remained after a selection for an SGN) Bright medium yellow. Very fresh aromas of apricot and honey, with a hint of tangy orange marmalade from a bit of noble rot. Silky on entry, with a touch of sweetness leavened by perfectly integrated acidity. More pliant and open today than the Rangen, with its much fruitier character giving it early appeal. But a wine like this should evolve in bottle for a couple of decades. This tactile, highly concentrated riesling finishes very smooth and very long.