Emrich-Schönleber – Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2016

Emrich-Schönleber – Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2016

1. The Emrich-Schönleber Winery

The Emrich-Schönleber winery is one of the very best sources for dry Riesling in Germany. In the Nahe region, it is often referred to, alongside Dönnhoff and Schäfer-Fröhlich, as the ‘holy trinity’ . Stylistically, it is situated between the opulent style of a Dönnhoff and the edgy sharpness of a Schäfer-Fröhlich – with a perfect balance of texture, finesse and mineral depth. Connoisseurs even draw parallels with the great wines from Keller in Rheinhessen.

The estate’s three great vineyards – Halenberg, Frühlingsplätzchen and Auf der Ley (available only at auction ) – produce some of Germany’s finest dry Rieslings. Whilst the Halenberg, with its blue-grey slate, is synonymous with power and ageing potential, the Frühlingsplätzchen is criss-crossed by red veins of red slate and is more expansive, diffuse, lighter and more delicate – with impressive floral notes and lively aromas that make it particularly expressive even in its youth.

2. The 2016 vintage

The year 2016 proved challenging for the winegrowers in Monzingen: late spring frosts, followed by high fungal pressure and, finally, dry heat during the growing season. Despite these adverse conditions, the Schönlebers report a yield of only around 10 per cent less than in an average year. The Riesling harvest did not begin in earnest until mid-October and continued well into November.

A key factor in the vintage’s high quality: Frank Schönleber allowed almost all the wines to ferment spontaneously – a trend he has consistently championed throughout his decade as cellar master. This lends the wines a special balance and complexity.

3. Vinification

The 2016 Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling GG was matured traditionally in large wooden casks – more specifically, in ‘Stück’ and ‘Doppelstück’ casks (the region’s typical large oak casks). The alcohol content is 12.0% vol..

4. Tasting notes & critics’ reviews

The trade press is universally enthusiastic about this wine:

Furthermore ,the wine is listedon gute-weine.de with a drinking window from 2018 to 2038 – a clear indication of its enormous ageing potential. This drinking window is also confirmed by Vinous as 2018 to 2030.

5. Price & Availability

The wine is positioned in the premium segment:

• Average price (excl. tax): approx. 64 US dollars per 750 ml

• Prices in Germany: between €51.29 and €56.95

• Magnum bottle (1.5 l): €99.00 (excl. VAT)

6. Conclusion

The Emrich-Schönleber Frühlingsplätzchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2016 is a Riesling of the very highest calibre. It combines the powerful, mineral structure of the vintage with the elegance and floral finessetypical of this vineyard . With scores ranging from 93 to 97 points from the international trade press and a recommended drinking window extending well into the 2030s, it is ideally suited both for immediate enjoyment and for long-term cellaring. For lovers of great German Rieslings, this wine is an absolute must-have.