2017 Willi Schaefer (the producer) Graacher Domprobst (the vineyard) Riesling Spatlese (the grape ripeness level) (in case you’re not familiar because I know it can look quite scary but it’s easy if you know how to decode it)
Mosel Riesling always brings us a smile, and this one was a standout. We opened it with dinner last night (Harper joined us), and at just 7.0% alcohol, one bottle didn’t quite go the distance.
From the first pour, a few CO₂ bubbles clung to the glass, and the aroma was pure magic—like diving nose-first into a bunch of wildflowers splashed with fresh lime juice. A subtle hint of kerosene on the beautifully long finish hinted at some bottle age but it was still remarkably youthful.
It paired brilliantly with the Chicken Marbella we were having for dinner, and we all agreed—it’s the kind of wine you could drink every week and never get tired of. Right now, it’s in a perfect place for drinking, but it has the structure to cellar for much longer—if you can manage to stash it away and forget about it. The palate is fine and racy; with a whisper of sweetness that’s a perfect counterbalance to the razor-sharp green apple acidity. Think of it as a very refined version of lime juice cordial for adults—it’s really special.
Purchased from Eurocentric Wine imports—some years ago and I can’t remember now what we paid. The current 2020 vintage is listed at $102/bottle. It’s not cheap, but for a wine this good, it’s totally worth it when you want to treat yourself or celebrate something special. Buy a magnum if you can!