Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spatlese 2023

Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spatlese 2023

 

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Fritz Haag
Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spatlese 2023
  • Vintage : 2023
  • Country : Germany
  • Region : Mosel
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 7,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Riesling

Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese 2023 is a late-picked, highly aromatic Riesling that balances delicate sweetness with an intensely mineral structure, offering a refined and elegant experience.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 95 2023
W&S Wines & Spirits 98 2022
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 94 2022
WE Wine Enthusiast 93 2022
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Brauneberger Juffer vineyard, located on the steep, south-facing slopes of the Mosel Valley, is surrounded by the famed Juffer Sonnenuhr vineyard on three sides. Known for its slightly lighter and more delicate style compared to its smaller counterpart, the Juffer vineyard produces wines with a refined fruit profile and pronounced minerality.

The vineyard’s soils are dominated by Devonian slate, which retains heat during the day and radiates it at night, promoting optimal ripening in this cool, northern climate. These conditions, combined with its drier microclimate, create Rieslings of precision, elegance, and a unique slate-driven character.

Winemaking

This 100% Riesling Spätlese is crafted from hand-harvested grapes picked late in the season to achieve optimal ripeness. The 2023 vintage benefited from a growing season marked by mild spring temperatures, replenishing rains in late July, and a warm September, which enhanced the aromatic complexity and concentrated minerality of the grapes.

Fermentation is carried out at cool temperatures to preserve the wine’s delicate fruit and floral notes. The wine retains a residual sweetness of 73 grams per liter, balanced by an acidity of 7.8 grams per liter, resulting in a vibrant and elegant Spätlese with 7.5% alcohol. This meticulous approach ensures a wine with both immediate appeal and long aging potential.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale yellow with golden reflections.
  • Aroma: Aromatic notes of lime zest, ripe peach, and floral honey, with subtle hints of wet slate and citrus blossom.
  • Palate: Juicy and vibrant, showcasing flavors of green apple, pineapple, and delicate sweetness, underpinned by crisp acidity and a pure slate-driven finish.

Did You Know?

The 2023 vintage required careful selection during harvest due to warm September temperatures, but the conditions yielded grapes with exceptional balance and aromatic intensity. Wines from the Brauneberger Juffer vineyard are celebrated for their ability to age gracefully for decades.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Spicy Thai shrimp salad: The wine’s sweetness and acidity balance the heat and tang of the dish.
  • Roast duck with orange glaze: Its vibrant fruit flavors and crisp finish enhance the richness of the duck.
  • Goat cheese tart with fresh herbs: The wine’s floral notes and slate minerality complement the tangy, creamy cheese.
  • Apple strudel with cinnamon: Its delicate sweetness and acidity echo the flavors of this classic dessert.

History of Fritz Haag Estate

The historic Fritz Haag estate dates back to 1605, making it one of the oldest in the Mosel region. Originally, the village where the estate is situated was known as "Dusemond" (Latin for "sweet hill"). In 1925, it was renamed "Brauneberg" ("brown mountain") to promote the reputation of its world-renowned vineyards: Brauneberger Juffer and Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr.

The name "Juffer," meaning "old maid" or "virgin" in the local dialect, dates back to 1790. It refers to the aristocratic Wunderlich family, whose three daughters, all unmarried, managed the vineyards. Their exceptional management led to the vineyards becoming famous worldwide. The vineyards were treasured even by Napoleon.

For many years, the estate was successfully led by Wilhelm Haag, whose efforts earned it a world-renowned reputation. Wilhelm was the first to win the prestigious "Winemaker of the Year" award from the Gault Millau Wineguide in 1994. His son, Oliver Haag, took over in 2005 and has continued to lead the estate to new heights.

Region and Vineyards

The Fritz Haag estate is located in Brauneberg, Middle Mosel, Germany. The vineyards are situated on the steep, south-facing Brauneberg hillside, characterized by its blue Devonian slate soils. The estate farms 29 hectares (72.5 acres) of vineyards with an average vine age of 45 years, though some vines are up to 100 years old. The vineyards are managed sustainably, and the estate is a member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) Mosel. The key vineyards are: 

  • Brauneberger Juffer: Produces Trocken “J,” GG, and all Prädikat wines.
  • Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr: Produces GG and Prädikat wines (Spätlese and above).
  • Kestener Paulinshofberg: Produces GG wines.

Notable Wines from Fritz Haag

  • Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese: This late-harvested wine has rich fruit flavors and vibrant acidity. The balanced sweetness and elegant minerality make it both rich and refined.
  • ​​Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese: Concentrated and sweet, this wine showcases intense fruit flavors and honey. It is luxurious with balanced acidity, making it both rich and refreshing
  • Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett: This wine is light and crisp, with fresh green apple, citrus, and white peach flavors. It has a lively acidity and a pronounced minerality that adds to its refreshing profile
  • Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese: Complex and elegant, this wine showcases ripe apricot, peach, and honey flavors. It offers a harmonious balance between sweetness and acidity, with a long and lingering finish
  • Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese: Luxuriously sweet and full-bodied, this wine features intense tropical fruit flavors, honey, and sometimes a touch of botrytis. It is opulent with a balanced acidity that keeps it refreshing
  • Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett: Delicate and light-bodied, this wine offers citrus and stone fruit notes. It is crisp and refreshing, with a subtle sweetness that enhances its delicate profile.

Did you know?

The Brauneberger Juffer vineyard has been renowned since Roman times and is known for producing some of the finest Rieslings in the Mosel Valley. The vineyard's name, "Juffer," reflects the historical significance of the land being managed by three unmarried daughters of an aristocratic family.

James Suckling (JS) : 95 Points (2023)
What a haunting beauty this fabulously elegant Spatlese is. The cool, slightly limey freshness exactly balances delicate grape sweetness.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 98 Points (2022)
Looking up the slopes of Brauneberg, you’re first greeted by the vines of Sonnenuhr. As your gaze moves uphill, you enter the steeper slopes of Juffer, where Oliver Haag focuses on the highest reaches of this vineyard for this Spätlese. The elevation of the vines creates a wine of great finesse and focus, wearing its 70-plus grams of residual sugar extremely well. The scent leads you on an ethereal journey through candied limes and salted mango rinds before arriving at an influx of freshly steeped jasmine tea. The texture of this wine is off the charts—the perfect balance of acid and sugar, tantalizing, with no end in sight. This is a profound wine that brings a smile upon the first smell and sip.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 94 Points (2022)
The 2022 Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Spätlese is from across the site. The nose fuses peachy richness with passion fruit's vivid, aromatic tartness. Here, the sweetness of around 75g/L is central, tempered by citric brightness but sprayed with cool slate freshness, enriched with vivid fruit. The finish tapers back into citrus layers of orange and salty slate. Wonderful. (Sweet) (AK)

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 93 Points (2022)
Beautifully delineated, pure and zingy. This shows expressive and concentrated notes of candied lime, vanilla and cream that mingle with the lively structure. Huge intensity of flavors and richness packed into this sleek frame. Drink now–2042. (AZ)

Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2022
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2022
Fritz Haag
Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2022
WS
92
WE
92
W&S
93
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is an intensely fruity yet delicate Riesling, crafted from fully ripe grapes in the moderately sweet Spätlese style, offering a profound expression of the Mosel terroir.
30,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett 2022
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett 2022
Fritz Haag
Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett 2022
WS
92
W&S
90
VN
93
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett is a dazzling example of Mosel Riesling, crafted in the delicate, low-alcohol Kabinett style, offering an energizing balance of fruitiness and minerality.
23,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2022
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2022
Fritz Haag
Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2022
WE
93
W&S
94
VN
95
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese is a lusciously sweet Riesling from one of Germany’s most revered vineyards, offering a sublime combination of mineral intensity, floral elegance, and ripe fruit complexity.
43,65 €
Quantity : moins plus
Fritz Haag Riesling Trocken 2022
Fritz Haag Riesling Trocken 2022
Fritz Haag
Riesling Trocken 2022
JS
90
RP
90
WE
90
Fritz Haag Riesling Trocken is a beautifully crafted dry Riesling from one of the Mosel Valley's most iconic producers, offering a perfect balance of elegance, freshness, and vibrant minerality.
17,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2022
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2022
Fritz Haag
Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2022
RP
93
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Grosses Gewächs (GG) is a strikingly elegant dry Riesling, expressing the essence of the Mosel Valley’s renowned Brauneberger Juffer vineyard, with intense minerality and profound depth.
54,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
26,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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