Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2023

Willi Schaefer’s Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 2023 is a shining example of why Mosel Riesling is so revered: feather‑light on its feet yet packed with flavor, precision, and slate‑driven minerality. This Spätlese stands out for its crystal‑clear, flinty profile, perfectly ripe fruit and remarkable balance at just 7.5% alcohol. As a particularly important vintage for Andrea and Christoph Schaefer, the 2023 is already being spoken of as a benchmark Himmelreich and a true cellar‑worthy showpiece.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese is pale straw with greenish reflections, signaling its youth and freshness. The nose is bright and finely etched rather than opulent: think white peach, lime zest, and crunchy green apple layered over wet slate, smoke, and a delicate floral lift. It’s intensely aromatic yet never loud, with a precise, “cool” impression and a strong, stony backbone. On the palate, the wine is both lush and ultra‑refreshing, with juicy stone fruit and citrus woven tightly around a core of pure, salty minerality. The sweetness is beautifully judged, carried by electric acidity that gives the wine great tension, length, and a mouthwatering, almost tactile slate character. The finish is long, energetic, and complex, promising an excellent aging trajectory. Enjoyable now for its youthful vibrancy, it will gain nuance and depth over 10–20 years or more, developing notes of honey, herbs, and petrol while retaining its elegant structure.

Production
Graacher Himmelreich is one of the Mosel’s great steep slate vineyards, with south to southwest exposures and thin, stony soils that force the Riesling vines deep into the Devonian slate bedrock. This combination of slope, aspect, and poor soils yields low natural yields, high extract, and the signature smoky, salty minerality that defines classic Mosel Riesling. At Willi Schaefer, harvesting is done by hand, often in multiple passes, to select perfectly ripe, pristine grapes at Spätlese ripeness, while maintaining vibrant acidity and moderate potential alcohol. Fermentation typically takes place in stainless steel and traditional old Mosel fuder (large neutral oak casks), with indigenous yeasts and a gentle, patient approach to vinification, allowing the natural balance of fruit, sweetness, and minerality to emerge without heavy intervention.

Food & Serving
This Spätlese is wonderfully versatile at the table. Its interplay of sweetness and acidity makes it ideal with spicy Asian dishes (Thai or Vietnamese with chili and lime), aromatic curries, and dishes featuring ginger or lemongrass. It’s superb with richer seafood like scallops, prawns, or lobster, as well as sushi, ceviche, and lightly spiced pork or poultry. Soft, creamy cheeses (such as young goat cheese or mild blue) are also excellent companions. Serve well‑chilled, around 8–10°C (46–50°F). Decanting isn’t essential, but opening the bottle 30–45 minutes before serving or giving it a brief splash in a carafe can help the aromatics unfurl, especially in its youth.

Producer
The Willi Schaefer estate in Graach an der Mosel is one of Germany’s most admired small Riesling producers, revered by collectors and sommeliers alike for its finesse‑driven, slate‑pure wines. A true family domaine with tiny production, it has been carefully tended over generations and is now in the capable hands of Andrea and Christoph Schaefer. The estate’s holdings in iconic sites such as Graacher Himmelreich and Domprobst consistently yield some of the Mosel’s most elegant, transparent, and age‑worthy Rieslings. Known for their traditional methods, low yields, and meticulous vineyard work, the Schaefers have earned a reputation for crafting wines that capture the essence of their terroir with astonishing clarity, regularly garnering top scores and international acclaim.

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.