Newly released from what is known as the first Riesling estate of the World, Schloss Johsnnisberg's Grünlack Spätlese 2022 is a wine with a pedigree going back over 1200 years.
The hill of Schloss Johannisberg is situated on the 50th parallel in what is considered the extreme north from a wine-making perspective, however, the diurnal temperature shift, quartzite subsoil with varying depths of loam, South-East to South Westerly exposure and 45-degree slope allow vines to flourish.
The hill of Schloss Johannisberg is situated on the 50th parallel in what is considered the extreme north from a wine-making perspective, however, the diurnal temperature shift, quartzite subsoil with varying depths of loam, South-East to South Westerly exposure and 45-degree slope allow vines to flourish.
With documents mentioning the Johsnnisberg vineyards dating back to 817 this is an estate steeped in history, yet one that refuses to stand still. In 1720 the estate was replanted exclusively with Riesling, a world first, and in 1775 it is credited with the creation of Spätlese - meaning 'late harvest' of fully ripe grapes. In addition, in 1787 they made the first ever Riesling Auslese and then in 1858 the first Eiswein.
Schloss Johannisberg is a single vineyard designation (Einzellage) in its own right and one of a handful of historic German vineyards which do not have to display a village name on the label. Thus, the vineyard designation shown on the label is just 'Schloss Johsnnisberg'. The estate uses different colour seals for grapes of different ripeness, and the Spätlese always sports green.
2022 is the year in which they converted to organic viticulture across the entire vineyard area, with all the wines in 2022 coming from organically grown grapes. The incredible results of all these years of experience in both vineyard and cellar can clearly be seen, smelt and tasted in the 2022 Grünlack Spätlese, a classic wine that has been in the portfolio of Schloss Johannisberg since 1775.
"A masterpiece of finesse, precision and balance, but even that doesn’t say the most important thing, which is the breathtaking leafy freshness and stony clarity at the stunningly long finish" - 99 Points, James Suckling
Arriving into AMFW this Autumn, do let me know if you would like to order and I can confirm subject to remaining availability.
Schloss Johsnnisberg Riesling Grünlack Spätlese 2022 (6x75cl)
£210 IB
99 Points | James SucklingThe nose of this Spatlese makes me think of 18th-century engravings of pear and white peach varieties, but that only hints at the enveloping and astonishingly fine fruit that follows on the palate. A masterpiece of finesse, precision and balance, but even that doesn’t say the most important thing, which is the breathtaking leafy freshness and stony clarity at the stunningly long finish. When will it ever stop? From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
Also available from Schloss Johsnnisberg:
