The wine is Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Auslese 1976, Dr.
Pauly-Bergweiler, Bergweiler-Prum Erben, A.P Nr. 2 576 185 15 77. An
importer sticker gives 9.5% alcohol by volume. The wine has been
properly stored since release, had a sound cork, and had a high fill.

The color is a medium golden yellow. There is only a very slight petrol
old Riesling character. The wine is very concentrated and sweet, but
there is enough acid to balance. It could nearly pass for a BA in a
blind tasting, especially if you did not guess that it is a 1976. The
fruit is of a yellow peach and apricot character with not as much
tropical character as some of the Rheingau 1976 top wines. It it not
quite as floral as a top Wehlener Sonnenuhr, but has more of a mineral
or flint character than Wehlener Sonnenuhr usually has. The finish is
very long, and the wine is creamy in texture. There is very much honey
character. The grapes had to extremely ripe. The Graben vineyard wines
can be as good as any from Bernkastel including the better known
Doctor. This Graben likely will last well for many more years.