Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese A P #10 2003

From one of the Mosel’s most revered addresses, the 2003 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese A.P. #10 is a benchmark sweet Riesling from a famously warm vintage. Sourced from the steep, slate-rich slopes of Graach’s legendary Domprobst vineyard, it marries decadent richness with the precision and minerality that define classic Mosel Riesling. This is a wine that showcases both the sensual charm of the 2003 vintage and the timeless elegance for which Willi Schaefer is known.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Auslese shows a deep golden hue, reflecting both its age and concentration. The nose is intensely perfumed, with notes reminiscent of talcum-dusted white blossoms, honeysuckle and jasmine, layered with ripe stone fruit, red berry nuances, and a lift of citrus oil. Underneath the florals and fruit sits a distinct Mosel slate minerality and a touch of honey and candied peel that speak to its late-harvest character. On the palate, the wine is rich and voluminous yet exquisitely detailed. Lush flavors of apricot, peach compote and wild strawberries intertwine with citrus zest, wet stone and delicate herbal notes. The sweetness is generous but beautifully balanced by vibrant acidity and a salty, mineral edge, giving the wine both breadth and remarkable clarity. The finish is unusually long, lingering with fruit, florals and slate-driven freshness. While already fully enjoyable and showing tertiary complexity, bottles from a well-stored cellar can continue to evolve gracefully, with an optimal drinking window spanning from now through at least the mid‑2020s and potentially beyond.

Production
Graacher Domprobst is one of the Mosel’s great steep-slope vineyards, with south to southwest exposures and incredibly poor, weathered blue slate soils that force Riesling vines to dig deep, resulting in low yields and high concentration. The 2003 vintage was notably warm, and meticulous hand harvesting was essential to select perfectly ripe, healthy bunches for Auslese, often picking berry by berry to capture ideal botrytis influence and sugar-acid balance. At Willi Schaefer, the grapes are gently pressed, and fermentation typically takes place with indigenous yeasts in traditional, neutral Mosel fuders and stainless steel, allowing the vineyard character to shine without the imprint of new oak. The wine is then rested on its fine lees to build texture and complexity before careful bottling under the A.P. #10 designation, distinguishing this specific Auslese cask from other bottlings from the same site and year.

Food & Serving
This Auslese is a versatile partner at the table, excelling both with savory and sweet dishes. It pairs beautifully with rich foie gras, pâtés, spicy Asian cuisine (such as Thai or Szechuan dishes), and blue-veined cheeses, where its sweetness and acidity cut through salt and heat. For dessert, try it alongside fruit tarts, apricot or peach-based pastries, or simply with ripe stone fruits. Serve slightly chilled, around 8–10°C, to preserve freshness and aromatic detail. Decanting is not mandatory but a slow aeration in the glass over 15–30 minutes can help the wine fully open and reveal its layered bouquet, especially given its bottle age.

Producer
The Schaefer family has been crafting Riesling in the Mosel for generations, with the modern estate, led for many years by Willi Schaefer and now by the next generation, regarded as one of the region’s true cult producers. Working almost exclusively with top sites in Graach, especially Domprobst and Himmelreich, the domaine is celebrated for producing wines of striking purity, balance and finesse across all Prädikat levels. Their bottlings are consistently among the most sought-after Mosel Rieslings, praised by critics and collectors alike for their precision, age-worthiness and transparent expression of terroir. The 2003 Graacher Domprobst Auslese A.P. #10 stands as a testament to the estate’s ability to maintain freshness and detail even in challenging, warm vintages, reinforcing Willi Schaefer’s reputation as a master of Mosel Riesling.

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