The 1998 Kloster Eberbach Hochheimer Domdechaney Riesling Auslese hails from a slightly underrated but delicious vintage for German Riesling. The 1998 German vintage was overall excellent, despite some variability, with a hot, dry May prompting early flowering and a heatwave in August. Despite a challenging harvest, the wines were well-received for their open and forthcoming nature. This Auslese is a sweet wine, and the 1998 vintage is noted for producing delicious and animating wines with good aromatic presence. Expect a haunting nose of caramelized peach and apricot with mushrooms, leading to a concentrated and elegant Rheingau Riesling that is clearly off-dry, with a long, succulent, and graceful finish. It's described as rich and complex, with 10 years of age adding an extra dimension. Pronounced aromas of honeysuckle, orange, mandarin, apricot, lychee, wet stone, fresh vanilla, white raisin, honey, and beeswax can be found. This wine offers a 'Riesling time machine' experience, showcasing how these wines blossom with maturity. 【A 'Riesling time machine' experience from a delicious, underrated vintage】. For wines of this age, it's important to approach them with care. The cork and capsule may be fragile, so a two-pronged corkscrew or an Ah-So opener is recommended. Decanting is often beneficial for older wines to allow them to breathe and to separate any sediment. Serve slightly chilled, but not too cold, to allow the complex aromas and flavors to fully express themselves. 🍴 Food Pairing: This sweet German Riesling is a match made in heaven with pork, shellfish, poultry, spicy food, and cured meat. It also pairs well with blue cheeses. 🥂 Event Suggestions: This mature Auslese is perfect for a contemplative evening, a special anniversary, or a sophisticated dessert course. It's an excellent choice for a tasting focused on the evolution of aged Rieslings, offering a glimpse into the past with its developed flavors and aromas.