Tasting Highlights’ wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors’ most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

Germany is not all about Riesling. As I wrote last November, Pinot Noir has drastically gone up in quality in the country, where it’s known as Spätburgunder. Other varieties like Silvaner and Pinot Blanc (known as Weissburgunder) have also benefited from more attention from winemakers in recent years.

Today’s selection manifests this trend. Georg Breuer leads the pack with a Pinot Noir from Rheingau that easily stands up to a good village-level red Burgundy. Two other Pinots, from August Kesseler and Shelter, are charming and inviting as well. We’ve also included four great-value Rieslings for good measure because, well, it is Germany after all.

---

GEORG BREUER Pinot Noir Rheingau GB 2016 Score: 90 | $26

WS review: Very vibrant and finely knit, with dark cherry, hibiscus tea and rose notes, all linked by lively acidity. This shows light tannins as well, which add to the structure and harmony overall. Mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2025. 114 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why it’s of note: This is an outstanding, affordable Pinot made by Theresa Breuer, who runs the Georg Breuer estate. She practices organic farming and uses a combination of stainless steel and used oak barrels in the cellar. This wine is light yet expressive, reflecting the elegance of the 2016 vintage.

---

AUGUST KESSELER Pinot Noir Rheingau The Daily August 2016 Score: 89 | $27

WS review: Fruity, with a darker profile, featuring a slightly chewy texture and exhibiting red currant and strawberry flavors. Shows mineral undertones midpalate and hints of rooibos tea on the well-defined finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,200 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why it’s of note: The grapes for this entry-level Pinot Noir bottling from August Kesseler are handpicked from several different parcels around Rheingau. The berries from each parcel are vinified separately in barriques, then blended before bottling to create this aromatic red.

---

KRUGER-RUMPF Riesling Nahe 2017 Score: 89 | $18

WS review: A fruit-forward dry white sporting currant and apricot notes underscored by fine minerality and zesty acidity, this is seductive, and a perfect intro to the drier side of German Riesling. Drink now through 2024. 480 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why it’s of note: Run by the Rumpf brothers, Kruger-Rumpf has improved in quality since their father Stefan started bottling the wines under the family name in 1984. They practice sustainable farming and focus on Riesling, bringing out the unique terroir of the Nahe region. The grapes for this wine come from vines in different parcels that are between 15 to 25 years old.

---

PETER LAUER Riesling Feinherb Mosel Barrel X 2017 Score: 89 | $21

WS review: A soft version, featuring an elegant profile and flavors of white raspberry, ripe apple and apricot, with hints of graphite, all linked by prominent acidity that brings out the balance. Charming finish. Drink now. 800 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why it’s of note: Florian Lauer runs Peter Lauer today, proudly making wine in the Saar Valley part of the larger Mosel region. The name “Barrel X” comes from the traditional practice of using barrel numbers for identifying different cuvées. However, this bottling aims for a consistent style vintage to vintage, rather than an expression of a single parcel. This wine shows the vibrant nature of Rieslings from the Saar Valley.

---

TESCH Riesling Nahe Unplugged 2017 Score: 88 | $20

WS review: Aromas of saffron and chamomile lead to zesty orange and green apple notes in this refreshing and mouthwatering white, which leaves a savory mineral impression on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 1,000 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why it’s of note: This is an entry-level bottling from Martin Tesch. “Unplugged” is a nod to acoustic music, played without distortion pedals or other instruments. In keeping with its name, the wine is made with no amplifiers, allowing the pure fruit and terroir to come through.

---

DOMDECHANT WERNER’SCHES Riesling Rheingau Trocken 2017 Score: 87 | $19

WS review: A dry, zesty and mineral-driven version, with grapefruit and ginger notes mingling with sea salt accents. A bit austere on the finish. Drink now. 15,000 cases made.—A.Z.

Why it’s of note: The Domdechant Werner’sches winery has been family-owned and run since the late 18th century. It’s in its 8th generation today, run by Catharina Mauritz, who farms the vineyards sustainably and is driven by a “less is more” philosophy in the cellar. Their wines are mineral-driven and refreshing expressions of Riesling.

---

SHELTER Pinot Noir Baden Lovely Lilly 2016 Score: 86 | $19

WS review: A candied, ripe Pinot Noir, with a dense frame and hints of tobacco. Pretty and seductive, but lacks complexity. Drink now. 900 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why it’s of note: Husband-and-wife team Hans-Bert Espe and Silke Wolf run the Shelter winery. This particular cuvée is named after the previous owners’ vineyard and cellar dog, the late Lilly. This is their entry-level bottling of Pinot Noir, showing the charm that people love about Pinot.

Tasting Highlights’ wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors’ most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

Quintessential Austrian whites are all about minerality and terroir. Grüner Veltliner, the country’s star grape, is a great example of this: It’s fairly neutral in taste, allowing the soil and microclimate in which it’s grown to be reflected by the wine. Loess-dominated soils tend to make wines that are ripe and full-bodied, whereas those from granite make more elegant and precise examples.

Grüner’s ability to express these differences yields a wide variety of styles. Coupled with careful winegrowing and winemaking practices, these wines are at the forefront of high-quality whites, and their price-to-quality ratio makes them some of the best deals of the wine world.

---

NIGL Grüner Veltliner Niederösterreich Freiheit 2017 Score: 92 | $20

WS Review: An exuberant style, gaining a fizzy impression from the minerality. The core expresses peach, tarragon and cardamom details, but the savoriness takes the front seat. Very well-built, with focused acidity and a vivid structure. Echoing finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,524 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why It’s of Note: The 2016 Nigl bottling of this vibrant white was included in Wine Spectator‘s Top 100 Wines of 2018. Martin Nigl, who owns the winery with his family and is the winemaker, blends Grüner grapes from four different parcels in Kremstal. He practices sustainable farming, never using pesticides, which helps bring out vitality in the plants. The wine is spontaneously fermented in stainless-steel tanks, allowing the terroir to shine through.

---

BERNHARD OTT Niederösterreich Am Berg 2017 Score: 92 | $21

WS Review: Lovely aromas of lily, rose, vanilla and coconut accent the peach and pineapple flavors in this white. A firm structure and dense texture make this complete. Multidimensional, with enough acidity for balance, and the body helps out. Persistent saline finish. Grüner Veltliner. Drink now through 2027. 1,320 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why It’s of Note: Bernhard Ott is a fourth-generation winemaker from the region of Wagram in Lower Austria. He is one of the founders of Respekt, a group of likeminded winegrowers who farm using biodynamic practices. His wines are generally pure and vibrant. This introduction to Ott’s portfolio shows the charming side of Grüner: expressive, balanced and complex.

---

BRÜNDLMAYER Grüner Veltliner Kamptal Terrassen 2017 Score: 91 | $23

WS Review: Smoke aromas extend on the palate to join hints of toasted hazelnut, which surrounds yellow apple and quince flavors, all underscored by sea salt detail in this white. This shows great harmony overall, with good intensity of flavors and acidity, leaving a salty impression on the finish. Drink now through 2027. 1,002 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why It’s of Note: Bründlmayer is a Kamptal stalwart, with around 150 acres of vineyards delivering consistent quality vintage after vintage. Led by Willi Bründlmayer, the winery farms organically in some of the best sites of the region. This white is made from grapes from younger vines from several different vineyards. It’s a mineral-driven version typical of high-quality Grüner Veltliner.

---

HIEDLER Grüner Veltliner Niederösterreich Löss 2017 Score: 91 | $18

WS Review: Harmonious, charming and reined in, yet very tightly wound and dense. Features ripe peach and tobacco flavors at the core, with a serious structure. Not as flamboyant as some of its peers, but very well-crafted. Best from 2020 through 2027. 700 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why It’s of Note: The Hiedler family has been making wine in the region of Kamptal since the 18th century, with Ludwig and María Angeles Hiedler taking the lead here in the 1980s. They practice sustainable farming, with little intervention in the cellar. Only indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation and no additives are used, including sulfur in some cases; malolactic fermentation is never blocked. This bottling portrays their winemaking style: creamy, expressive and complex, with good balance overall.

---

SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG Grüner Veltliner Kamptal Schlosskellerei 2017 Score: 90 | $16

WS Review: Very appealing, with a jolt of electricity from the acidity fueling the peach, white raspberry and ground ginger notes. Tobacco and white chocolate accents linger on the long, pure-tasting finish. Drink now through 2026. 4,440 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why It’s of Note: Mentored by Willi Bründlmayer, Michael Moosbrugger has crafted a reputation for Schloss Gobelsburg, which had been led by many different families since the 11th century. Farming about 120 acres of vineyards, mostly in “erste lagen” sites (Austria’s unofficial grands crus), Moosbrugger makes pure and vibrant examples across the board. This entry-level white exemplifies this, made from young-vine grapes sourced from the prestigious Heiligenstein vineyard.

---

STADT KREMS Grüner Veltliner Kremstal 2017 Score: 89 | $15

WS Review: A thick version, with white pepper and clove notes gliding along the edges, while roasted pineapple and persimmon flavors form the center. This is very harmonious, but a little plump. Drink now. 3,000 cases imported.—A.Z.

Why It’s of Note: Originally founded to support the hospital in Krems in the 15th century, Stadt Krems was a “people’s winery.” It wasn’t until 2003, when Fritz Misbauer took over, that the estate started focusing on quality. This 2017 Grüner is a testament to this change. Fermented in large stainless-steel tanks, the wine shows purity and portrays the warm 2017 vintage perfectly with its dense texture and ripe fruit flavors, as well as Grüner’s typical white pepper note. For $15 a bottle, this is a great introduction for those unfamiliar with the variety.

Tasting Highlights’ wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors’ most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.

South Africa’s wine regions are spread over the Western and Northern capes, which cover about 130,000 square miles. This vast space is home to a great diversity of soils and microclimates, which allows for the cultivation of different grape varieties. Today’s selection represents the rainbow of wines that South African producers make, with seven picks from different grapes for wine lovers to explore the country’s range. The best part: They’re all $30 or less.

---

KLEIN CONSTANTIA Chardonnay Constantia 2016 Score: 91 | $30

WS Review: Pretty, with yellow apple, jasmine and pear flavors gliding along, framed gently by a brioche note on the finish. Stylish. Drink now. 50 cases imported.—James Molesworth

Why It’s of Note: This Chardonnay hails from just south of Cape Town in the Constantia ward. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean provides a cooling effect, extending the ripening period, which is perfect for cultivating grapes that thrive in cooler climates. Klein Constantia is famous for its dessert-style Vin de Constance made from Muscat de Frontignan grapes, but this Chardonnay shows that the winery’s whole range is worth seeking out.

---

GLENELLY Estate Reserve Stellenbosch 2012 Score: 90 | $25

WS Review: Mature, showing a broad, loamy swath of currant and blackberry fruit flavors that have melded with smoldering tobacco and worn leather notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Drink now through 2019. 1,500 cases imported.—J.M.

Why It’s of Note: Stellenbosch is probably the most recognized wine region in South Africa, and is prolific in making Bordeaux-style reds. This Estate Reserve from Glenelly is just that, with a little Shiraz in the mix. At six years old, it’s a great companion to heartier fare, like braises and stews, which complement the wine’s mature aromas and flavors.

---

REYNEKE Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch 2017 Score: 90 | $29

WS Review: A delightful, gently toasty style, with a subtle brioche and macadamia nut frame around lemon curd, white peach and verbena flavors. Focused and racy through the finish. Drink now through 2019. 400 cases imported.—J.M.

Why It’s of Note: Reyneke is an estate in Stellenbosch owned by Johan Reyneke, who uses biodynamic and organic methods of farming and winemaking, which he believes helps strengthen vines and make better wines. This Sauvignon Blanc is a good introduction to the winery and is a great value. Also try Reyneke’s Reserve White, its higher-end Sauvignon Blanc.

---

RUST EN VREDE Merlot Stellenbosch 2016 Score: 90 | $28

WS Review: Features a pretty sage and menthol edge amidst the core of gently mulled red and black currant fruit flavors. Lingering tobacco and cedar hints show on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 650 cases imported.—J.M.

Why It’s of Note: Rust en Vrede provides another red from Stellenbosch in today’s selection, this one from Merlot, portraying the ripe fruit flavors that are common for the warm region. The estate has been around for over 300 years, but was bought by the father of the current owner, Jean Engelbrecht, in the 1970s. In 1993, former president Nelson Mandela chose Rust en Vrede’s wines to be served at the Nobel Peace Prize dinner.

---

KEN FORRESTER Pinotage Western Cape Petit 2017 Score: 87 | $12

WS Review: This is all fruit, with soft and easy-textured plum, cherry and blueberry notes gliding through. Drink now. 2,200 cases imported.—J.M.

Why It’s of Note: Ken Forrester started his namesake winery in 1994, and is now one of the best-known producers in South Africa. He makes renowned Chenin Blancs, but the winery makes great-quality wines across the board. This fruity red is a good introduction to South Africa’s signature variety, Pinotage, and is a steal at $12.

---

MAN VINTNERS Shiraz Coastal Region Skaapveld 2016 Score: 87 | $12

WS Review: Cherry and red currant fruit flavors are lined with a light anise hint in this red. A dash of briar shows on the finish for spine. Drink now. 6,000 cases imported.—J.M.

Why It’s of Note: This value Man Vintners red hails from bush-vine and trellised vineyards in the vast Coastal Region. This wine is 85 percent Shiraz, but also incorporates small quantities of Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache and, for the first time this vintage, a little Touriga Nacional. The term “Skaapveld” means “sheep field,” which there are plenty of around the vineyards.

---

RIEBEEK CELLARS Chenin Blanc Swartland 2018 Score: 87 | $10

WS Review: A fresh, crisp style, with a fleck of herb detail amid the green plum, lime zest and kiwi flavors. Shows nice zip through the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases imported.—J.M.

Why It’s of Note: Riebeek Cellars is a small estate in the scenic Riebeek Valley of Swartland. The valley was named for the Dutch commander and colonial administrator Jan van Riebeeck, who is believed to be the first person to make wine in Cape Town, in the 17th century. This Riebeek Cellars white is made from South Africa’s most planted grape, Chenin Blanc, and provides a crisp, refreshing profile for only $10.