Emrich Schonleber Fruhlingsplatzchen Riesling Spatlese 2022
(Nahe, Germany) - [JS 97] [VM 94]

About the Winery:
Weingut Emrich-Schönleber is a prestigious German winery in Monzingen, Nahe, known for its high-quality, single-vineyard Riesling wines from steep, stony vineyards like Frühlingsplätzchen and Halenberg. The Schönleber family has a viticultural history dating to the mid-18th century, and the estate transitioned to exclusively winemaking in the late 1960s.

The estate is situated in Monzingen, in the upper Nahe region of Germany, a relatively cool area surrounded by forests. The winery is known for wines from its top-tier, single-vineyard plots, particularly Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen and Monzinger Halenberg.

Notes from the Winemaker:
There's never been so much sun! On the Nahe, the summer of 2022 was the sunniest since records began – and the driest. Our vines are incredible survivors. On our stony soils, no plant copes better with drought than the grapevine. When all the fields and meadows around us are brown and many trees are shedding their leaves, the mature vines still amaze us with their vibrant foliage.

Perhaps this is the reason why the wines are so balanced and exhibit an almost cool character. In any case, we rarely detect the typical attributes of hot years compared to cool ones. The 2022 wines are consistently pleasingly low in alcohol content, with a fine balance of acidity. The character of the region is more evident than ever before. A tailor-made vintage.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - James Suckling:
"Bursting with wild berry and herb aromas with a touch of basil and some floral notes this amazing Spatlese has an Alpine freshness! Only medium-bodied, but very concentrated and structured. On the mid-palate this is really compact, but the finish is uplifting thanks to the super-racy and minerally acidity that drives it relentlessly forward. Great aging potential! Drink or hold." - JS (July 2023)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Riesling Monzinger Frühlingsplätzchen Spätlese is made without any botrytis. It was whole-bunch pressed with different press fractions fermented separately to maintain absolute tone. A touch of reduction is followed by candied Amalfi lemon peel inflected with gentle lemon balm notions. The palate is slender, beautifully tart, almost fizzing with lemon freshness. There is serenity, immense charm and exquisite lightness here. A cooling, like mint, note seems to rest on all the intense lemon flavors. Exquisitely balanced, wonderfully tart and lemony, the 2022 is only just sweet. Lemon brightness and ripeness echo long. Lovely. (Sweet) (Drink between 2027-2050)" - Anne Krebiehl (Sept 2023)