Villa Huesgen Riesling Grand Cru “Enkircher Zeppwingert” Spätlese Trocken
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Grown in the Enkircher Zeppwingert, a Grand Cru site on the Starkenburg slope of the Middle Mosel, on west-southwest-facing terraces as steep as 51% with quartzite-rich, iron-rich grey slate soil.
- One of the estate’s steepest and most terraced vineyards, where the slate soil stores a great deal of heat.
- Made from old, ungrafted vines 60–100 years old, whose low yields give complex, concentrated Riesling.
- The vineyard is farmed mostly organically and by hand.
- A dry Spätlese with aging potential of 10 years and more.
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Elaboration: The grapes are selectively hand-picked at full ripeness after several rounds of sorting in the vineyard. The vines are trained on single poles. After a skin-contact time adapted to each vintage, the wine ferments spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine is vegan.
Tasting Notes: This Riesling is bright yellow with golden reflections. The nose shows ripe yellow stone fruit, lemon peel and white flowers, with a subtle note of slate and a touch of flint. The palate is delicate and well balanced. Yellow stone fruit returns alongside quince and star fruit, carried by elegant acidity to a mineral finish.
PRESS
2023 – 93 Wine Advocate | 92 James Suckling
2024 – 93 Wine Advocate | 90 James Suckling | 90 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Villa Huesgen has made and traded wine on the Mosel since 1735 and is now run by Ado Huesgen, the eighth generation. The estate centers on the family’s 1904 Art Nouveau villa in Traben-Trarbach.
Its 6.7 hectares of steep slate vineyards around Traben-Trarbach, Enkirch and Ürzig are farmed sustainably and mostly by hand, with the steepest slopes farmed organically. In the cellar, the family keeps things natural, with hand harvesting and spontaneous fermentation. Riesling is the heart of the range.