2009 Weingut Max Ferd.Richer Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese Riesling, Mosel

Max Ferd. Richter has been producing Riesling in the Mosel since 1680. The Richter wines exude great class and breeding along with their classical Mosel raciness, fruitiness and mineral complexity.

This Estate relies purely on must weight, not residual sugar, for the quality, extract and grip which makes Richter not only one of the most exciting estates in Germany, but one of the finest exponents of Riesling anywhere in the world.

Recent vintages have provided an unusually good run; the 2000s are lovely even though this was a difficult year in the vineyard and shows how resilient the noble Riesling grape is on the steep slate slopes of the magnificent Mosel.

In 2008 the Mosel returned some classic dancing Kabinett’s. They are wines which literally dance in your mouth with mineral and crystal-like clarity. The balancing act is superb; crunchy fruit characters, lip-smacking acidity and mineral laden wines which are eminently glugable and very affordable.

Amazingly the ripeness and high degree of the fruity tartaric acidity is such that these wines show great harmony and have the necessary structure to age gracefully for many years.

* Photo for illustration only.