Schäfer-Fröhlich - Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2017

Schäfer-Fröhlich – Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs GG dry 2017

1. Overview

2. Origin & Terroir

The grapes for this Grosses Gewächs come from the Monzinger Halenbergsingle vineyard in the Nahe region. The soils are characterised by blue slate, gravel and quartzite. The vines grow at an altitude of between 170 and 240 metres. This complex terroir lends the wine its characteristic mineral depth and typical slate-driven spice.

3. Tasting notes

Falstaff (92 points, tasting on 23 November 2018):

“Slate spicy and somewhat reductive, grated lime zest, grapefruit pomace. On the palate juicy, pithy, straightforwardly structured, restrained fruit, smoothly grounded, still very young and compact, in its closed way homogeneous right through to the finish.”

James Suckling (Tasted September 2018):

“Super flinty and spicy, this very concentrated dry Riesling is lean and mean. Relentless finish. It just goes...”

In summary, the wine displays a reductive, flinty aromatic profile with citrus notes (lime, grapefruit). On the palate, it is juicy, compact and straightforward, with restrained fruit and a mineral, long finish. The 2017 vintage is still youthful and closed – a wine with great potential for development.

4. Reviews at a glance

5. Price & Availability

The wine is available from selected fine wine merchants, e.g. Lay & Wheeler from £64.00 per bottle (in bond).

6. Drinking window & serving recommendations

• Drinking maturity: The 2017 Halenberg GG is currently (2026) still very young and compact. It will benefit from further bottle ageing and should not be openeduntil 2025 at the earliest.

• Recommended serving temperature: 10–12 °C

• Pairs well with: Shellfish, crab and lobster dishes

7. Conclusion

The Schäfer-Fröhlich Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2017 is a powerful, mineral-driven Riesling from the Nahe region, which impresses with its slate-driven spice, citrus fruit and impressive length. With 92 Falstaff points and outstanding reviews, it ranks among the top Rieslings of its vintage. Due to its youth and compactness, it is not yet a wine for immediate enjoyment, but rather a candidate for long-term cellaring – it will gain in complexity and harmony over the coming years.