Willi Schäfer - Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel 1993

Winery Willi Schäfer - Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel 1993

Introduction

The 1993 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel from Weingut Willi Schäfer is a rare rarity from the renowned VDP classification. The Gold Capsule ("Gold Cap") emphasises this wine as a particularly noble and sweet representative of its predicate level. Produced from a vintage that is known on the Moselle for its wines full of character, this wine shows the extraordinary signature of one of the most cult and smallest top producers of the Middle Moselle. The Beerenauslese (BA) is the second highest predicate level in the German wine system and stands for a selective hand-picking of individual, noble rot affected berries. The 1993 BA with gold capsule from the Domprobst vineyard is a prime example of the art of combining extreme fullness with maximum mineral precision.

1. The Willi Schäfer winery - modesty as a trademark

The Willi Schäfer winery in Graach on the Moselle is a shining star in the German wine landscape. The Schaefer family can trace its roots in Graach back to a deed of gift from the year 1121. The business in its current form is the life's work of Martha (1924-2013) and Willibrord Schaefer (1912-1995), who laid the foundations in the difficult post-war period.

Willi Schaefer, who took over the oenological responsibility in 1971 at the age of 22, achieved the international breakthrough, shaping the style of the estate with meticulous manual labour, strict selection during the grape harvest and a philosophy based on minimal intervention. Under his leadership, the estate became a member of the renowned "Großer Ring VDP Mosel-Saar-Ruwer" association in 1993, the same year as this wine. in 1997, the estate was nominated by the Gault-Millau wine guide as "Rising Star of the Year".

Today, with around 4.5 hectares of vineyards, the estate is one of the smallest members of the VDP - a factor that further enhances the exclusivity of its wines. Since 2002, Willi Schaeffer's son Christoph, a trained oenologist from Geisenheim, has continued to run the family winery with the same modesty and perfection together with his wife Andrea.

2. The vineyard site - Graacher Domprobst

The single vineyard Domprobst, located above the Moselle village of Graach, is one of the largest steep slopes of the Middle Moselle. The plots extend amphitheatrically directly above the village centre, opposite a Moselle bend between Wehlen and Bernkastel. They are exposed to the south to south-west and slope steeply down to the river, which favours maximum sunlight and good cold air drainage.

The terroir is characterised by the subsoil of weathered bluish-grey Devonian slate with a high stone content. The stony soils store the warmth of the sun and release it to the vines at night. The wines from the Domprobst are known for their dense, extract-rich structure, pronounced, cool acidity and herbal-spicy slate minerality.

Wine journalists such as Stephen Brook and Stephan Reinhardt agree that the best wines from the entire estate come from the Graacher Domprobst vineyard. This fact emphasises the exceptional quality of the 1993 vintage discussed here.

3. The 1993 vintage - a classic between the decades

The 1993 vintage on the Moselle is described by connoisseurs as classic, elegant and long-lived. Historical records show that this vintage offered ideal conditions for the development of noble sweet top wines. The slow and even ripening, a characteristic feature of cooler Moselle vintages, allowed the grapes to develop complex flavours while retaining a vital acidity.

Although 1993 does not have the glamorous reputation of vintages of the century such as 1990, it showed its enormous potential, especially in the higher predicate levels. A tasting note from another 1993 Domprobst Auslese confirms this: In 2017, more than 20 years after the harvest, it was at an excellent stage of maturity with a bright golden yellow colour, elegant fruit and still lively acidity. This longevity is a decisive indicator of the outstanding condition of the Beerenauslese described here.

4. The wine - Beerenauslese with a gold cap

Beerenauslese (BA) isthe second highest level in the German Prädikat system and requires strict manual selection of individual berries affected by noble rot (botrytis). Within this category,the gold capsule is characterised by a further increase in density, sweetness and exclusivity.

The technical data of the wine confirms this status:

• Alcohol content: 9% vol.

• Flavour: Sweet

• Origin: Mosel Saar Ruwer (Middle Mosel)

• Format: The BA with gold capsule is bottled in the classic 0.75 litre bottle.

5. Flavour profile and ageing potential

After more than three decades in the cellar, the 1993 Beerenauslese is at the zenith of its maturity. The interplay of concentrated sweetness, lively acidity and mineral depth makes this wine a unique experience.

• Appearance: The colour will be an intense, bright golden yellow with amber reflections, reflecting decades of ageing.

• Nose: The bouquet is complex and multi-layered. Typical aromas of this level are honey, candied citrus fruit (candied orange peel) and overripe yellow fruit such as apricot and peach. The noble rot also produces exotic notes of mango and papaya. This is accompanied by the unmistakable, cool slate minerality of the Domprobst.

• Palate:This wine is characterised by an exceptional balance. The high residual sweetness is perfectly supported by a vital, fresh acidity, which lends creaminess to the texture without ever appearing heavy or sticky. A tasting note received from CellarTracker describes the wine as a harmonious complexity with a mellow fullness and surprising freshness. The finish is extremely long-lasting and mineral.

• Ageing potential:A wine of this calibre has enormous ageing potential. It is already at its peak today, but due to its dense structure and high sugar content, it will keep and develop for many years to come.

6. Current market presence and pricing

The 1993 Beerenauslese Goldkapsel from Willi Schäfer is an absolute rarity. Bottles in perfect condition only very rarely appear on the open market and fetch correspondingly high prices.

*Note: Prices vary depending on the retailer, fill level and condition of the bottle. The table gives an overview of the current market prices (as of 2024-2026)*

Conclusion

The Weingut Willi Schäfer - Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel 1993 is far more than just a dessert wine. It is a liquid monument that combines the essence of one of Germany's most iconic wineries, the terroir of one of the Mosel's greatest steep slopes and the favour of a classic vintage.

The rare combination of concentrated, noble sweetness, the cool slate minerality typical of the Domprobst and a vital, invigorating acidity gives this almost three-decade-old wine a breathtaking freshness, depth and complexity. For collectors and lovers of mature Rieslings, this Beerenauslese with gold capsule is a holy grail. Anyone who has the privilege of getting hold of a bottle in good condition is not only acquiring an excellent wine, but also a piece of everlasting Moselle wine culture.