Christmas Riesling (Medium-Dry to Sweet)

Hans-Joachim (“Hanno”) and his wife Ruth Zilliken mark the tenth generation to make wine predominantly around their famed Saarburger Rausch vineyard, and they’ve now been joined by their daughter, Dorothee. They barrel ferment all of their wines using natural yeasts and traditional “moselfuder casks”, some of which are more than a half-century old. With long, cool fermentations allowing complex flavours to emerge slowly, these are Rieslings to age with the very best. For many, the sweet Auslese category is where German Riesling reaches its pinnacle, with incredible complexity and longevity, and remarkable acidity balancing that ripeness. This is the perfect example: a wine that wows with its explosive fruit yet stunning freshness.

2020 was characterised by a warm summer, yet temperatures over the growing season were relatively cool and therefore the wine has a fantastic juxtaposition of concentration and weight combined with an energy and purity that you come to expect from the very best Mosel Rieslings. Jasmine, lime and white peach aromas are supported with a lively acidity and almost steely profile. Subtle perfume notes of verbena and mint add layers of complexity.

The Scharzhof Riesling is sourced from holdings in different famous vineyard sites including the Saarburger Rausch, the Oberemmeler Rosenberg, the Wiltinger Kupp, and the Wiltinger Braunfels. While this is an off-dry wine with just 8.5% alcohol the sweetness is barely noticeable with a laser light focus, lip-smacking freshness and a rush of bright citrus and green mango fruit. There are notes of jasmine, lime and white peach aromas are supported with a lively acidity and almost steely profile. Subtle perfume notes of verbena and mint add layers of complexity.

This wine always displays a concentrated fruit profile with a steely backbone, and 2020 is no exception. There is a lot of extract on the palate that gives the wine additional weight and salinity. Expect white peach, grapefruit and citrus notes with a salty finish. The length is sensationally long.

The south/south west facing vineyard is incredibly steep and is planted on weathered devonian slate. The Spätlese has a fleshy and juicy profile of peach and apricot fruits with hints of ginger and saffron. The acidity is racy and balances perfectly with the residual sugar.

Honeysuckle and plenty of freshness. This has kiwi fruit and also plenty of yellow plums and some verbena. Wonderful poise.

2020 is an exceptional vintage for Kabinett and the prized site of Wehlener Sonnenuhr simply excels. Expect jasmine, white peach and flinty notes along with a racy core.

From old vines of over 40 years, there is an intensity of ripes mango, pineapple and exotic friuts. The palate is much more tightly wound with real energy from the acidity as well as a touch of phenolics adding to the texture. This is a complex wine that will only get better with time in bottle.

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.

From a vineyard planted on blue devonian slate this wine this Kabinett wine displays lime and white blossom florals as well as hints of reduction and fleshy peach notes. There is a crispness on the palate and a mineral finish.

The south/south west facing vineyard is incredibly steep and is planted on weathered devonian slate. A wine that exudes more spice than some of its neighbours, along with red apple, lemon citrus and salty minerality on the palate. Incredibly inviting and a pleasure to drink in youth.

The cooler climate makes this wine steely on the attack and display green apple, lime and and steely notes supported by hints of jasmine. The core is linear and crisp and very focused.

Orange blossom, fresh and dried apricots, honey and ginger are all displayed in the glass. The palate is juicy and the acidity is racy and provides the perfect tension to the sweetness and rich core.

Always on the tropical spectrum, the wine demonstrates a pepper spice as well as honey blossom and ginger notes. The concentration and ripeness is well balanced with purity and unflinching acidity.