Heinrichshof Schlossberg Riesling Auslese 2014

Peter Griebeler is both articulate and ambitious. Having studied winemaking and done stages at two of Germany’s most famous estates, Schlossgut Diel in the Nahe and Fritz Haag in the Mosel, Peter then worked as winemaker at ZGM. In 2014 he decided to return to the family estate in Zeltingen where things are much smaller scale and artisan and very much focussed on quality. Though the estate has acquired more vineyards over the past twelve months its total holding is still less than 6 hectares, a significant proportion of which are on the brilliant, steep slopes of Sonnenuhr and Schlossberg. 2014 is Peter’s first vintage. Whilst also making some sweeter styles Peter’s focus is on the dry (trocken) style, which highlights  the terroir and minerality of his sites. As a range the natural ripeness of the grapes, achieved through good exposure and vineyard management, means that whilst the wines are dry (about 6 grams of residual sugar) they have a lovely mid palate fruit weight to carry them plus all the zing and vitality you could ask for.