Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese no. 10 2023

From one of the Mosel’s most revered family estates, the 2023 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese No. 10 is a masterclass in finesse, clarity, and terroir expression. Drawn from the famed Domprobst vineyard above the village of Graach, this Spätlese captures the cool, slate-rich hillside in a wine that feels both feather-light and intensely precise. Long regarded as one of the benchmarks for classic Mosel Riesling, Willi Schaefer’s Spätlesen are sought after by collectors worldwide for their purity, balance, and remarkable aging potential.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2023 Graacher Domprobst Spätlese No. 10 is pale straw with glints of green, reflecting its youth and vibrant acidity. The nose is spring-like and crystalline: very clear, fresh, and finely etched, with aromas of crushed slate, lime zest, and a delicate salty tang. As it opens, subtle nuances of white blossoms, citrus oil, and a whisper of ripe stone fruit join the picture, giving the wine a lifted, airy perfume. On the palate, the wine is strikingly energetic yet silk-smooth, carrying a stunning interplay of sweetness, acidity, and minerality. Flavors of lime, crushed stone, and wet slate are woven together with delicate notes of fine raisins, wild blueberry, and a gentle waxy leaf character. Despite its concentration, the wine feels almost weightless at just 7.5% alcohol, with the sweetness perfectly balanced by a vibrating line of acidity and a salty, stony finish. It is already beautiful and remarkably drinkable now, but its subtle depth and precision suggest excellent aging potential over 10–20 years or more, when further complexity and nuance will emerge.

Production
Graacher Domprobst is one of the Mosel’s most prized steep-slope vineyards, with south to southwest exposure and incredibly stony, weathered Devonian slate soils that impart both minerality and a distinctive smoky-salty edge to the wines. The cool climate and excellent drainage allow for long, slow ripening, preserving acidity while developing complex aromatics. At Willi Schaefer, harvesting is done painstakingly by hand on the steep terraces, with careful selection of perfectly ripe, healthy Riesling berries to capture the delicate Spätlese profile. In the cellar, the must is gently pressed and fermented with native yeasts in traditional large old Mosel fuder casks, allowing the terroir to shine without overt oak influence. The wine rests on its fine lees before bottling under natural cork, preserving its purity, precision, and capacity to age gracefully.

Food & Serving
This Spätlese’s combination of sweetness, acidity, and minerality makes it exceptionally versatile at the table. It pairs beautifully with spicy Asian cuisine (Thai, Vietnamese, or Sichuan), where the residual sugar softens heat and the acidity cleanses the palate. It is also superb with dishes featuring shellfish or white fish—think ceviche, scallops, sushi, or lightly spiced prawn dishes—as well as with fresh goat cheese, soft-ripened cheeses, or delicately seasoned poultry and pork. Serve well-chilled at around 8–10°C (46–50°F). Decanting is not essential but a brief time in the glass or carafe can help the aromatics unfurl, particularly if you are opening the wine in its youth.

Producer
The Willi Schaefer estate is a tiny, family-run Mosel domaine based in the village of Graach, with a history of winemaking that stretches back several generations. Despite its modest size, it enjoys a cult-like status among Riesling lovers worldwide, thanks to its unwavering focus on quality and its uncanny ability to produce wines of grace, balance, and transparent terroir expression. Working primarily in Graacher Domprobst and Himmelreich, as well as some plots in neighboring Wehlen, the Schaefers have built a reputation for some of the most refined and age-worthy Mosel Rieslings. Their wines consistently receive top accolades from international critics and are considered benchmarks for classically styled, low-alcohol, high-precision German Riesling.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.