Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese 2021

Ripe and a hint of the exotic but not too much, still very clear and pure, yet boasting aromatic, lively flavours of nectarine, yellow plum and fresh apricot with undelrying savoury slate and earthy nuances.

Helden has heavier soils and a little less slate content than those of the Juffer and Juffer Sonnenuhr, typically producing wines that are more powerful, richer and earthier.

Thomas Haag of Schloss rates the 2011s highly: "They should age very well, a little different to classic vintages because of slightly lower acidity, they are similar to 2007 but purer. It is such an elegant vintage because of the lack of botrytis."

His prime plots of land are in the top due south-facing Niederberg Helden vineyard of Lieser.

Though just a few hundred metres from his father's Brauneberg vineyards, the heavy thicker set grey/blue slate of the Helden vineyard produces heavier wines that sometimes require more initial bottle age before showing their true colours.

Rigorous work in the vineyard and microscopic attention to detail in his cellars, guarantee a consistent production of good wines in poor years and outstanding wines in great years. In fact, Thomas can regularly claim to have the Mosel's lowest yields.

Since 2004, Thomas has been exploiting some vines in the famous Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr vineyard, given to him by his father Wilhelm Haag of the Fritz Haag estate.