2013 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese Willi Schaefer Review And Tasting Notes

Riesling is a unique wine: its low alcohol content, floral, mineral, citrus aroma, and a slightly sweet but always very savory taste make it a true masterpiece.

In this case, we are talking about a Riesling spätlese, born from a late harvest, so the sugar residue is medium-high.

If you are one of those who love a bit of residual sugar in Riesling, a bottle to try is Willi Schaefer’s Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese.

We are in Graach, on the left bank of the Moselle, not far from Bernkastel. The winery owns 3 hectares, all planted with Riesling: a tiny paradise.

How is it made?

All the operations in the fields aim to preserve an excellent raw material, and the processing in the cellar is minimal. Large wooden barrels are used for aging. He uses only indigenous yeasts and lots of love in the vineyard not to waste healthy grapes that have not been treated with chemicals. The harvest is done entirely by hand since the vineyards are in very steep hills: it is not a walk in the park.

Let’s get to the tasting notes of this glorious wine. A delicate nose full of flowers, roses, and mineral notes that intertwine in a fabulous fresco. Grapefruit and rocks dominate, but also the floral echoes are splendid for subtlety and expressiveness.

The mouth is precise, just round, but with an outstanding balance. The peaks of flavor alternate with the sweetness of the fruit naturally, making this Riesling super easy to drink.

Price

Cost: 33-35 euros for the 2013 vintage. It is worth up to the last cent.

Food Pairings

Combine this delicious Riesling with an appetizer with a savory dish of fish, such as octopus and potatoes, or a plate of seasoned blue cheeses, parmigiana ravioli, spaghetti with clams, chicken tikka masala, Chicken Cacciatore, Vitello Tonnato, truffle risotto, pasta alla carbonara.