Scharzhofberger Spatlese 2015
Egon Müller
Spätlese means “late harvest” but at Egon Müller, the term is used for wines made from grapes of superior ripeness or even from overripe grapes. The harvest usually begins very late and the weather is variable, so the ripest grapes often come from the best parcels rather than a later harvest date. Spätlese wines can carry more sugar than Kabinett without losing their balance. While they’re off-dry to semi-sweet when young, they reward cellaring with an incredible degree of complexity. The Wiltinger braune Kupp vineyard tends to be more full-bodied, while the Scharzhofberger can develop into truly elegant wines that defy the categories of sweet and dry.
Additional Information
“2015 is certainly a great vintage. After the summer one would look for parallels with 2003 and they are there: The volume of the harvest is the same, almost to the litre. The overall aspect of the grapes was similar. Green, turning to golden with very little Botrytis and the must weights are on the same level. One difference is easily explained with the weather during the harvest: While it wasn’t at all difficult to harvest great Auslese and while we did succeed in making a Trockenbeerenauslese, at that level the record breaking Oechsle of 2003 were never within reach. Acidity levels that are often twice as high as those of the 2003s and 2 or 3 g higher than those of the 2007s or 2009s. Once again we seem to have a vintage without precedent this is one that we can expect to enjoy.” – Egon Müller
Intense minerality and delicate limey fruit that builds harmoniously to reveal incredible depth in a long crescendo of mouth-watering flavors.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
- Winemaker: Egon Müller
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Slate gravel
- Vineyard Acreage: 8 ha
- Alcohol: 8.5%
- Sizes Available: 750ml
- Pack Size: 12/750ml
- Varietals: 100% Riesling
Recent Press
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Score: 95 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2017"A stunning spätlese that combines great delicacy of aroma with impressive richness and concentration. Very complex interplay of sweetness, fruit, minerals and acidity that continues right to the end of the very long pure finish. You drink this now or wait 10, 20 or more years." -
Score: 95 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Anna Lee
Date: Friday, June 9, 2017Racy and deeply mineral, yet buoyantly fruity, this wine embodies the best from the Mosel's fantastic 2015 vintage. It's lavishly forward in ripe yellow peach, apricot and honeydew flavors, yet bracingly high in acidity. Satisfyingly rich in extract yet feather light, it finishes long with shards of slate and crushed mineral. Stunning already, it should continue to improve through 2030, likely beyond.Grade: Editors Choice -
Score: 96 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: Stephan Reinhardt
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017The 2015 Scharzhofberger Riesling Spatlese opens with a clear, intense and very elegant bouquet that intertwines flint/slate-like aromas with perfectly ripe and piquant Scharzhofberg flavors. Terribly pure, piquant and fresh, this Spatlese with tropical fruit flavors and a great mineral tension. The finish is mouthwateringly pure and piquant, fine and salty. A great, great Saar Spatlese from the famous Scharzhofberg! Anticipated maturity : 2017-2050. -
Score: 92 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Kim Marcus
Date: Friday, March 3, 2017Rich and refined, with well-sculpted flavors of white currant, flint, apple and green pear. Dried apricot notes fill in the midpalate, with a long, minerally finish that features savory herbal accents. Very fresh. Best from 2034 through .
