Fritz Haag 2021 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel Germany

The extremely steep Brauneberg hillside is an isolated, south-facing slope that is one of the drier vineyards in the area, a great advantage in this wet, northern climate. The Juffer vineyard surrounds the smaller Juffer Sonnenuhr on three sides, extending both upstream and downstream, as well as above the sundial. This vineyard produces lighter, more delicate wines than the warmer, riper Sonnenuhr vineyard. The late-picked Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese has fine, forceful fruit in the aroma, a linear focus on the palate and a pure slate finish.

THE FRITZ HAAG ESTATE

The Fritz Haag estate is a historic family winery that dates back to 1605. The Haag family farms 29 hectares (72.5 acres) of vineyards in the heart of the Mosel Valley. They produce only Riesling, covering the full style spectrum, from dry to lusciously sweet. A intense “slate” character and a pronounced, fruity acidity give the wines their elegant sophistication and their great aging potential. The estate’s graceful, well-defined Rieslings are universally lauded as examples of the f inest wines the Mosel region has to offer.

THE 2021 VINTAGE

After three straight years of record sun and high temperatures, nature had different plans for 2021. Spring brought plentiful precipitation, and low temperatures with fleeting hours of sunshine that delayed the flowering until in the second half of June, the historical average. July took a turn for the warmer, and a “golden October” brought sunny days and cool temperatures. This set the stage perfectly for harvest and rewarded us with highly aromatic, yellowgold grapes with rich fruit expressions and fresh minerality. It was a small but quintessentially classic Mosel vintage of massive quality, with unique elegance, concentrated fruit, low alcohol levels, and outstanding freshness