Germany 2022 - Energetic Rieslings with balance and freshness

2022 was a notoriously dry and warm vintage in most of Germany, and yet the wines display great freshness and balance, in complete contrast to many other warm vintages such as 2008 and 2003.

2022 didn’t experience the heat spikes of recent vintages, so the grapes could ripen properly and the vines didn't suffer. Vineyards with old vines, or that have been dry farmed, also weren’t impacted by the dryness or heat. The wines have ripeness and full bodies, but only when compared to cooler vintages; the wines still offer great energy and freshness.

Most growers have described the vintage as a mix of 2018 and 2019, with some of the sunshine and brightness of 2018 as well as a cooler streak and the balance of 2019.

Maximin Grünhäuser

Maximin Grünhäus is a very traditional estate situated by the Ruwer river. It is known for its holdings of 3 contigious vineyards: Abtsberg, Herrenberg, and Bruderberg. Maximin von Schubert and his winemaker Stefan Kraml lead this highly regarded winery that continues to produce stand out, long lived, crystalline Rieslings.

 

2022 Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Maximin Grünhäuser, Mosel Medium Dry | White | Still | 8%

Maximin Grünhauser is one of the most recognised estates in the Mosel, with Maximin Von Schubert, 6th generation, at the helm. The Herrenberg single vineyard is a cool site dominated by red slate and surrounded by the Grüneberg forest and often described as the vineyard that produces some of the most age worthy wines from the Mosel. Expect jasmine, lemon citrus and ginger spice combined with a steely character on the palate.

Ready: 2024 - 2030
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2022 Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Maximin Grünhäuser, Mosel Medium Dry | White | Still | 8%

Maximin Grünhauser is one of the most recognised estates in the Mosel, with Maximin Von Schubert, 6th generation, at the helm. The Herrenberg single vineyard is a cool site dominated by red slate and surrounded by the Grüneberg forest and often described as the vineyard that produces some of the most age worthy wines from the Mosel. Expect jasmine, lemon citrus and ginger spice combined with a steely character on the palate.

Ready: 2024 - 2035
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2022 Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Maximin Grünhäuser, Mosel Medium Dry | White | Still | 8%

Maximin Grünhauser is one of the most recognised estates in the Mosel, with Maximin Von Schubert, 6th generation, at the helm. Abtsberg is considered to be the estate’s most prestigious site. Planted on shallow, blue devonian slate on a very steep incline, the wines from this 14 hectare vineyard are extremely age worthy. Expect white blossom perfume and white stone fruit juiciness combined with sweet and savoury spice. The acidity is zesty and vibrant and there is a lot of concentration and length to this 2022 vintage Kabinett.

Ready: 2024 - 2030
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2022 Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Maximin Grünhäuser, Mosel Medium Dry | White | Still | 8%

Maximin Grünhauser is one of the most recognised estates in the Mosel, with Maximin Von Schubert, 6th generation, at the helm. Abtsberg is considered to be the estate’s most prestigious site. Planted on shallow, blue devonian slate on a very steep incline, the wines from this 14 hectare vineyard are extremely age worthy. Expect white blossom perfume and white stone fruit juiciness combined with sweet and savoury spice. The acidity is zesty and vibrant and there is a lot of concentration and length to this 2022 vintage Kabinett.

Young: 2024 - 2035
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Weingut Willi Schaefer

One of the most highly sought names of Germany’s Mosel Valley, Weingut Willi Schaefer is also one of the oldest: their history dates to 1121. Remaining steadfastly a family winery, Willi and his son Christoph work entirely by hand, growing exclusively Riesling grapes from vines over a hundred years old on the steep Devonian slate slopes of Graacher Dompropst and Graacher Himmelreich (“Kingdom of Heaven”), as well as Wehlener Sonnenuhr. These are some of the purest Rieslings we know.

 

2022 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Weingut Willi Schaefer, Mosel Medium Dry | White | Still | 7.5%

A wine that stands out amongst the best of the 2022s. Jasmine and white florals combine with red apple and white peach. There is a saline core and mineral finish.

Ready: 2024 - 2040
2022 Graacher Domprobst Kabinett, Weingut Willi Schaefer, Mosel Medium Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

The deeper and stonier blue slate soils of Dromprost gives a steely and flinty profile to the wine, with the core displaying the juiciness of the vintage. The wine has great concentration and will certainly benefit from time in bottle.

Ready: 2024 - 2040
2022 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese, Weingut Willi Schaefer, Mosel Medium Sweet | White | Still | 7.5%

White pepper and ginger spice combine with fleshy peach and apricot notes. There is an energetic acidity and profile on the palate and there are layers of complexity that continue for a long time on the finish.

Young: 2026 - 2045
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Hofgut Falkenstein

Hofgut Falkenstein is a relatively youthful estate having been established by Erich and Maria Weber in 1981, in the Saar Valley, in close proximity to the famous Scharzhofberger vineyard. Minimal intervention in both the vineyard and winery is a key part of their philsophy, having converted to organics in 2021. Still a small family operation, the estate consists of 10 hectares, of which 1 hectare includes ungrafted vines.

 

2022 Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken, 'Mutter Anna', Hofgut Falkenstein, Mosel Dry | White | Still | 10.5%

Certified organic since 2021, this estate in the heart of the Saar Valley is going from strength to strength, having only been set up in 1981. Coming from the Herrenberg vineyard, the ‘Mutter Anna’ refers to the foudre or cask in the cellar. The wine is bursting with energy, elderflower, lime citrus and fresh apricots. The palate is saline and mineral with hints of spice on the finish.

Ready: 2024 - 2035
2022 Krettnacher Euchariusberg Kabinett Alte Reben 'Gisela', Hofgut Falkenstein, Mosel Medium Sweet | White | Still | 8%

Certified organic since 2021, this estate in the heart of the Saar Valley is going from strength to strength, having only been set up in 1981.Coming from the Euchariusberg vineyard from old vines, the ‘Gisela’ refers to the foudre or cask in the cellar. Fleshy peach combined with jasmine and ginger spice on the nose are supported by a crisp acidity and a juicy core.

Ready: 2024 - 2035
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Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier

Oliver Spanier set up Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier in 1991, when he was only 19 years old. The estate has been certified organic since 1993, and biodynamically since 2005. The estate is based in the south of Rheinhessen, in the village of Hohen-Sulzen, with vineyards in the surrounding communes. Here the soils are almost exclusively limestone, which gives the wines structure, focus, and wonderful citrus lifts. These soils are rarely found elsewhere in Germany. In 2016 Oliver married Carolin Gillot of Kühling-Gillot, uniting two of Rheinhessen’s greatest estates. And the renown of these two estates, run separately but under the same roof, is only growing. Indeed, this is currently one of Germany’s most exciting addresses.

 

2022 Mölsheim Riesling Trocken, Battenfeld-Spanier, Rheinhessen Dry | White | Still | 12%

Despite 2022 being a dry vintage, Battenfeld-Spanier have created a delicious wine that is juicy and concentrated and displays wonderful pithiness and saltiness.

Ready: 2024 - 2040

Weingut Fritz Haag

The vineyards here are no stranger to history: they date back to 1605. The Haag family are the current incumbents, with 17.5 prime hectares entirely devoted to Riesling in Brauneberg (“brown mountain”), the area known for its brown slate along the Mosel. They’ve vines in the two most famous plots here: Brauneberger Juffer and Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr (the area with the sundial, or “sonnenuhr”). The name of the vineyards, “juffer”, dates to the 1790s, a reference to the three “juffers” (“old maid” daughters) who took over from their father at the time. Wilhelm Haag helped put his family’s wines on the world fine wine map, and his son Oliver joined in 2005 to help. With precise winemaking starting with the very clones they select, the Haags have not hesitated to bring new ideas to very old winemaking traditions if it leads to the best, purest wines.

 

2022 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett, Fritz Haag, Mosel Medium Dry | White | Still | 8%

Beautiful reduction on the nose initially that opens up to jasmine, fresh apricot and honeysuckle. The palate is silky and juicy and a delight to drink.

Ready: 2024 - 2033
2022 Brauneberg 'J' 1G Riesling, Fritz Haag, Mosel Dry | White | Still | 12%

A single-vineyard cuvée from the two Brauneberg Grand Crus Juffer and Juffer Sonnenuhr. Honeysuckle, white peach and pink grapefruit notes combine with hints of ginger and steely aromas.

Ready: 2024 - 2035

Weingut Wittmann

This Rheinhessen property is based in the town of Westhofen. Philipp Wittmann has taken the estate to new levels, particularly after having converted to biodynamics in 2004. Riesling is their main focus, with 75% of the production, producing varying sweetness levels. Precision is key and they vinify all their parcels separately, with their more premium wines benefitting from slightly longer lees contact.

 

2022 Westhofener Riesling 1G, Wittmann Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

Situated south of Nierstein on largely limestone soil with some clay this wine expresses a spiciness and steeliness with orange blossom and citrus.

Ready: 2024 - 2035
2022 Niersteiner Riesling 1G, Weingut Wittmann Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

This family owned estate in the Rheinhessen has a long history having been established in 1663 and is constantly striving for continuous improvement having converted to organic and biodynamic viticulture. 2022 saw yields down 20% at this estate due to the dry weather, but thanks to the vineyards being close to the Rhine and in a shady part of the valley the wine is fresh and vibrant. Expect pink grapefuit, fleshy peach and fresh mango notes as well as a phenolic grip and saltiness on the palate.

Ready: 2024 - 2035

Selbach-Oster

Selbach-Oster is a traditional estate in the heart of the Mosel, with Johannes Selbach at the helm and his two children becoming more involved. As well as winemaking talent, if you are eating at local restaurants in the area, you are likely to find wild boar shot by Johannes on the menu. Their vineyard holdings include some of the most prestigious sites in the Mosel: Zeltingen, Wehlen, Graach and Bernkastel.

 

2022 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr GG Riesling Trocken, Selbach-Oster, Mosel Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

The wine has a richness and juiciness to the core, with lots of fresh apricot, ginger and peach. The wine displays incredible balance and energy.

Ready: 2024 - 2034
2022 Wehlen Sonnenuhr GG Riesling Trocken, Selbach-Oster, Mosel Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

A floral profile with a hint of reduction that elevates the wine. The palate is deliciously mineral with a touch of saltiness and jasmine on the finish.

Ready: 2024 - 2034
2022 Bernkastel Graben GG Riesling Trocken, Selbach-Oster, Mosel Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

The 2022 is very expressive and complex with lots of spice and fleshy stone fruits. The palate is perfectly balanced with zesty acidity and juiciness with a combination of mineral and richness.

Ready: 2024 - 2034
2022 Zeltinger Schlossberg GG Riesling Trocken, Selbach-Oster, Mosel Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

The wine has a richness and juiciness to the core, with lots of fresh apricot, ginger and peach. The wine displays incredible balance and energy.

Ready: 2024 - 2034
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2022 Graach Domprobst GG Riesling Trocken, Selbach-Oster, Mosel Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

The wine comes from seriously old vines of 70 years+ and this is apparent in the wine's concentration and complexity. The flavours continue for some time on the finish. The profile feels more steely and savoury than the other vineyards.

Ready: 2024 - 2034
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