Review: Schloss Johannisberg 2016 Grunlack and 2018 Silberlack
Schloss Johannisberg, based in Germany’s Rheingau region, lays claim to being the first riesling winery in the world, established in 817, over 1200 years ago. Which is a long time ago. The wines reviewed here are 100% single-vineyard riesling from Johannisberg’s estate vineyards. Let’s give them a whirl!
2016 Schloss Johannisberg Grunlack Riesling Spatlese – A sweet spatlese bottling, the honey runs thick through this bottling, its earthiness laced with notes of lemon peel and grapefruit. The actual sweetness is understated, however, as there’s plenty of citrus-driven acidity to brighten things up on the palate. The finish shows itself as sunny, inviting, and juicy — lively and full of bright fruit that’s studded, just so, with the perfect amount of dessert-friendly sugar. A / $60
2018 Schloss Johannisberg Silberlack Riesling Trocken – Dry and lively, with fresh notes of apricot and peach. Some mandarin orange notes give the wine acidity, while notes of white flowers and some tropical overtones. It’s never weighed down by sweetness, the fruit and florals intermingling beautifully to reveal a delicate wine that hints at star fruit, gooseberries, and lavender-scented linens. Sadly, it ain’t cheap. A / $90
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