The newly released 2018 German wines will soon be shipped to the UK, prompting us to review and pick out a few hidden Rieslings lurking in our cellars. One hidden gem that is absolutely delicious, and was perhaps unfairly overlooked the first time around, is the beautiful Kiedricher Grafenberg Spatlese 2016 from Weingut Robert Weil. It exudes that classic Rheingau combination of radiancy and subtlety, with sophisticated notes of fresh mint, pink grapefruit, jasmine, sea salt and stone, wrapped in layers of sumptuous, tropical fruit. To celebrate and promote this stunning wine, we’ve taken 15% off its original release price and reduced it to a mere £165 per case in bond for a limited time only. This is your opportunity to secure some top quality Spatlese from one of Germany’s undisputed Grand Cru sites, in a lovely vintage, from a noble producer, stored in perfect conditions, drinking now and available for immediate delivery. All at an unbeatable price!
If that weren’t enough to convince you, or perhaps you are unfamiliar with the Grafenberg and seek a little more context, the mighty Kiedricher Grafenberg is one of Germany’s most storied vineyards. Vines have been planted here at least since the twelfth century, when it was first documented as the “Berg des Rheingrafen”, or the “Mountain of the Rhine Counts” in English; recognising the then joint ownership of the Kloster Eberbach monastery and the Counts of Nassau, who retained ownership of the vineyard until 1803. By the late nineteenth century, the Dr. Weil estate had put the wines on the map and Rieslings from the Grafenberg were celebrated and enjoyed on the finest tables across Europe, from St Petersburg to Vienna, Prague, Paris, Berlin and London.
Read MoreLocated in the pretty village of Kiedrich, it is steep, stony site, protected from the immediate influence of the Rhine river as it is set back from the bank and located at approximately 220m elevation, one of the highest vineyards in the Rheingau. It is south to south west facing, which ensures steady ripening but it also profits from regular cooling breezes that descend from the nearby Taunus mountains. It is these cooling breezes that help to extend hang time and enable the estate to produce outstanding, dry, off-dry, medium and nobly sweet Rieslings with equal distinction.
The 2016 Rheingau Riesling Kiedrich Gräfenberg Spätlese opens with a deep, intense and flinty bouquet of tropical fruits as well as lovely raisin and grapefruit aromas. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling and lush yet highly elegant and delicate Spätlese with great freshness, finesse and a lingering mix of salty slate and sweet fruit flavors. This wine has very good grip and tension—a classic of great precision and elegance. Drink 2017-2050 – 94 Points, Stephan Rheinhardt, The Wine Advocate.