Julian Haart - Ohligsberg Riesling Spätlese 2018

Julian Haart - Ohligsberg Riesling Spätlese 2018

Winery: Julian Haart (Piesport, Mosel)
Site: Ohligsberg (large site: Piesporter Goldtröpfchen)
Grape variety: Riesling (100%)
Predicate: Spätlese
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: approx. 8-9%
Residual sugar: ≈80-90 g/l (typical for Spätlese, but perfectly integrated)
Price range: €70-120 (depending on source and storage)

Sensory description

1. Colour:
   Bright light gold with green reflections - typical of young, high-quality Mosel Riesling.

2. Nose:
   Intense, complex range of aromas: ripe peaches, apricot jam and pineapple dominate, accompanied by fresh citrus notes (grapefruit, lime), white flowers (acacia) and a striking mineral underpinning (slate, pebbles). Slight smoky nuance in the background - characteristic of the Ohligsberg terroir.

3. Palate:
   Opulent fruit (mango, mirabelle plum) meets racy acidity, which gives the wine breathtaking freshness and length. The sweetness is present but never intrusive - perfectly balanced by the lively acidity structure and salty minerality. Dense, silky mouthfeel with a long finish characterised by slate and citrus.

4. Vintage influence (2018):
   The warm, sunny vintage gave the wine extract-rich fullnessand ripeness without losing any of its elegance. The acidity remains taut and straightforward despite the sweetness - a sign of Haart's precise harvest management.

Terroir & vinification

• Soil: Steep, south-east-facing slate slopes (blue Devonian slate) - ideal for mineral depth and heat retention.

• Site character: The Ohligsberg delivers powerful but delicate wines with a salty flavour and long ageing potential.

• Winemaking philosophy: Julian Haart works with natural spontaneous fermentation, long yeast contact and minimal intervention. The grapes are selectively hand-picked to guarantee optimum ripeness.

Maturation potential & drinking recommendation

• Enjoyable now: The youthful freshness and fruitiness is already fascinating.

• Ageing potential: 15-20+ years (up to 2040+). Develops tertiary flavours (petrol, honey, dried herbs) over time, while the acidity maintains structure.

• Serving temperature: 8-10°C (glaze in large Burgundies to develop flavours).

Food pairing

• Classic: Asian cuisine (Thai curry, sushi with wasabi), spicy dishes.

• Modern: Blue cheese (Roquefort), foie gras, Mediterranean vegetable dishes.

• Contrast pairing: The residual sweetness harmonises with salty or umami (e.g. miso salmon).

Conclusion

The Ohligsberg Spätlese 2018 is a prime example of Julian Haart's mastery: it combines the powerful sweetness of the vintage with the delicate minerality of the Piesport terroir. A wine of mesmerising depth, in which every nuance - from the exotic fruit to the cooling slate tones - is perfectly balanced.

"A triumph of Mosel Riesling: opulent, but never heavy; sweet, but tautly infused with acidity and salt. A wine that makes poetry drinkable."

Rating: 96/100
Storage recommendation: Dark, cool (12-14°C), store horizontally.