Weingut Willi Schaefer

The son of Christof who makes a mere 2,000 cases from the impossibly tiny, collective 3 hectares of vineyards he owns in the Mittel Mosel towns of Graach and Wehelen.

Quietly lauded worldwide by those in the know, each year Schaefers loyal cadre of followers surreptitiously snap up as many bottles of the gold-labelled nectar.

Word is getting around though: a Gault Millau rising star award a few years ago put the international pundits on notice and now positive reviews by renowned critics abound. Despite the fact that the wines are gaining popularity by the second Schaefer will not increase the size of his production. 

Fat, rich and much more tempting in their, Schaefer's Rieslings will reward those of you with the patience and restraint for cellaring. As they shed their baby blubber, they become perfectly etched and pure examples of uncanny balance, finesse, richness and power.

"Willi Schaefer has been one of the greatest exponents of Mosel Riesling over four decades, a man whose arteries pump Riesling (not his winery, for that uses gravity.) '  Neal Martin Wine Advocate.

Dr Loosen

Ernst Loosen is one of the few producers that vinifies each specific Riesling vineyard individually along all the predicate levels from Kabinett through to Trockenbeerenauslese. This makes for confusing purchasing if one doesn't know the system; grapes are vinified according to their ripeness, offering varying levels of sweetness and richness.

2006 was a warm, riper year with a high prevalence of botrytis. Sugar levels vary from around 50g/l in the Kabinett to 160g/l in the BA but they are all balanced by firm acidities. These have wonderful aging potential, as much as 40 years for the Auslese.

Erdener Trechpen, meaning 'little steps' as there are steps leading up the steep vineyard and is a muscular mineral style. Wehlener Sonnenuhr is Blue-slate derived with the famous Sun dial over looking the vineyard demonstrating the good sun exposure. The most fragrant and graceful of the Grand Cru's with fine minerality, purity and white peach. Erdener Pralat is from red-slate soils. Gold capsules signify that the berries are botrytised (infected with noble rot). This offers some honey, extra richness and depth. Finally there was so much noble rot in 2006, that the Grand Crus were declassified becuase there was so much volume. Thus is offers brilliant value at the Grand level. BA suggests 'berry selection'. It has fabulous richness and purity with a gleaming acidity and decades of life ahead. 

Prices in Rand per bottle inclusive VAT whilst stocks available.