Zilliken Riesling Auslese Saarburger Rausch #5 Gold Cap 2018 375ml

96 points David Schildknecht (Vinous): "Scents and flavors here pull strongly in a tropical direction, featuring mango, guava and Persian melon whose richness is modestly cut by the zesty side of candied pink grapefruit peel and the tangy element of glazed pineapple. The feel is seductively creamy, and although this elixir’s sheer viscosity is surely at least as high as that of the collection’s auctioned Spätlese and Auslese, there is an unsurpassed sense of levity and delicacy to this gold capsule Auslese. Influxes of salted caramel and florally perfumed honey enhance the multi-fruit concentration of a vibrantly, lusciously and mouthwateringly sustained finish. Hanno Zilliken is reminded by this wine of the corresponding Auslese in his vintage 1983 collection, the first I tasted from him and the one that first brought his estate international attention. I have not included “A.P. #5” as part of this wine’s name because, unusually given a vintage this rich in high-must-weight Zilliken elixirs, only one of them is labeled as Auslese Goldkapsel. There were in fact two casks designated as gold capsule Auslese, but the Zillikens felt that their contents were too similar to merit separate bottling. Drink: 2020-2055. (Jul 2020)"

94+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Hanno Zilliken has always been a master of botrytis, so it is a great pleasure to taste an amazing range of upper Prädikat wines from he and his daughter Dorothee that are utterly devoid of noble rot and simply the product of desiccated, golden berries in 2018. The Gold Kapsel Auslese from the Rausch is gorgeous, offering up a refined and vibrant constellation of orange, mango, pineapple, really gorgeous slate undertow, a whisper of the herbal character of this vineyard, incipient smokiness and a floral topnote of orange blossoms. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, zesty and laser-like in its focus, with a beautiful core, lovely transparency and grip and a very long, super clean and racy finish. Stunning juice in the making! 2026-2080. (Mar/Apr 2019)"

94 points Stuart Pigott (JamesSuckling.com): "Lots of banana-skin and banoffee pie notes here, as well as ripe persimmon and poached pears. Impressive richness and sweetness really captivate on the palate, which is characterized by burnt-fruit flavors throughout and lots of caramel tart and creme brulee. Only towards the finish does the acidity make its way through the tightly locked fruit . Drink now or hold. (12/16/19)"

94 points Mosel Fine Wines: "AP: 05 19. The 2018er Saarburger Rausch Riesling Auslese GK AP 05 was harvested at 126° Oechsle and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar. This is initially slightly reductive and only gradually reveals some aromatic and ripe scents of pear, anise, guava, melon, dried apricot, orange peel and smoke. Creamy notes of almond, melon and peach are wrapped into honey and acacia flavors on the delicately smooth and refined palate. The finish is hugely long, smooth and refined. 2033-2068. (Jun 2019)"