94pts Vinous

The 2023 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Rotlay GG comes from the southwest-facing parcel within the lower part of the Sonnenuhr on blue slate. It was aged in a 70-year-old Fuder. The nose offers tender citrus with a subtle herbal lift that highlights pure, ripe Amalfi lemon. On the palate, it attains a gorgeous smoothness. Serenity and inherent balance create a supple, smooth, bone-dry Riesling with a lip-smacking finish. (Bone-dry).

Tasting Notes

Rich, fruity aromas; a concentrated palate of white fruits and slatey minerality and a fresh, dry finish.

About the Wine

Rotlay is a GG (Grosses Gewächs or grand cru) parcel of vines within the larger Sonnenuhr vineyard, vinified separately for this bottling thanks to the unusual beauty and complexity of its wines. The Sonnenuhr (‘sundial’) vineyard itself is one of the most celebrated in the Mosel, and this precipitously steep part of it yields a wonderful example of the vineyard’s style: concentrated and richly flavored.

2023 was a warm vintage with considerable mildew pressure from humidity. Nonetheless, effective sorting in the vineyard and winery ensured grapes of excellent ripeness and purity of flavor. The 2023 shows the deep fruit this site is famous for as well as the classic slatey notes of dry Mosel Riesling.

About the Winery

Heinrichshof, owned and run by brothers Peter and Ulrich Griebeler since 2014, is one of a handful of Mosel properties with a primary focus on making dry (Trocken) Riesling.  While the steep slopes above the Mosel have traditionally been dedicated to sweeter styles, Heinrichshof is adapting to a new era of ripeness, and is making dry Riesling of great energy and detail, without any austerity, all for very attractive prices.

In addition to the  dry whites, the Griebler brothers also produce beautiful Kabinett and Auslese Riesling, showcasing the piercing purity and lightness of touch of these traditional Mosel styles.