Alfred Merkelbach 'Ürziger Würzgarten' Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Germany 2021
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
2999 Solano Avenue
Ste A
Napa CA 94558
United States
Established in 1951 by Alfred and Rolf Merkelbach, this family-run estate in Ürzig, Mosel, has been renowned for its traditional winemaking methods, producing pure and honest Rieslings that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Following the passing of Rolf in October 2023 and Alfred in May 2024, the Selbach family has taken over stewardship of the estate, continuing the Merkelbach legacy with the same dedication to quality and tradition.
- WINEMAKER: The Selbach family, upholding the Merkelbach tradition
- FARMING: Sustainable practices; the estate maintains traditional methods with minimal intervention
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: Sourced from the Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard, characterized by stony, weathered red slate soils that impart a distinctive mineral quality to the wine
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation in traditional Mosel Fuder (1,200-liter oak casks), preserving the wine's authentic character
- AGING: Aged in old Mosel Fuder, allowing for gentle development and integration of flavors
- TASTING NOTES: This Spätlese offers a succulent profile with abundant wild strawberry and nectarine aromas. Beneath its expressive fruit lies a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness, leading to a long, balanced finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Pairs well with spicy Asian cuisine, roasted poultry, or as an elegant aperitif
-
SCORES:
- 94 points – James Suckling (November 2023): "Here's a succulent Riesling Spätlese with tons of wild strawberry and nectarine. And beneath this rather extrovert exterior is a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness. At the long finish, this side of the wine becomes ever stronger. It would be easy to underestimate the aging potential of this wine due to the generous upfront fruit. Drink or hold."
- 94 points – Wine Advocate (November 2023)
- 92 points – Vinous (October 2023)
Established in 1951 by Alfred and Rolf Merkelbach, this family-run estate in Ürzig, Mosel, has been renowned for its traditional winemaking methods, producing pure and honest Rieslings that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Following the passing of Rolf in October 2023 and Alfred in May 2024, the Selbach family has taken over stewardship of the estate, continuing the Merkelbach legacy with the same dedication to quality and tradition.
- WINEMAKER: The Selbach family, upholding the Merkelbach tradition
- FARMING: Sustainable practices; the estate maintains traditional methods with minimal intervention
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: Sourced from the Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard, characterized by stony, weathered red slate soils that impart a distinctive mineral quality to the wine
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation in traditional Mosel Fuder (1,200-liter oak casks), preserving the wine's authentic character
- AGING: Aged in old Mosel Fuder, allowing for gentle development and integration of flavors
- TASTING NOTES: This Spätlese offers a succulent profile with abundant wild strawberry and nectarine aromas. Beneath its expressive fruit lies a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness, leading to a long, balanced finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Pairs well with spicy Asian cuisine, roasted poultry, or as an elegant aperitif
-
SCORES:
- 94 points – James Suckling (November 2023): "Here's a succulent Riesling Spätlese with tons of wild strawberry and nectarine. And beneath this rather extrovert exterior is a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness. At the long finish, this side of the wine becomes ever stronger. It would be easy to underestimate the aging potential of this wine due to the generous upfront fruit. Drink or hold."
- 94 points – Wine Advocate (November 2023)
- 92 points – Vinous (October 2023)
Established in 1951 by Alfred and Rolf Merkelbach, this family-run estate in Ürzig, Mosel, has been renowned for its traditional winemaking methods, producing pure and honest Rieslings that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Following the passing of Rolf in October 2023 and Alfred in May 2024, the Selbach family has taken over stewardship of the estate, continuing the Merkelbach legacy with the same dedication to quality and tradition.
- WINEMAKER: The Selbach family, upholding the Merkelbach tradition
- FARMING: Sustainable practices; the estate maintains traditional methods with minimal intervention
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: Sourced from the Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard, characterized by stony, weathered red slate soils that impart a distinctive mineral quality to the wine
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation in traditional Mosel Fuder (1,200-liter oak casks), preserving the wine's authentic character
- AGING: Aged in old Mosel Fuder, allowing for gentle development and integration of flavors
- TASTING NOTES: This Spätlese offers a succulent profile with abundant wild strawberry and nectarine aromas. Beneath its expressive fruit lies a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness, leading to a long, balanced finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Pairs well with spicy Asian cuisine, roasted poultry, or as an elegant aperitif
-
SCORES:
- 94 points – James Suckling (November 2023): "Here's a succulent Riesling Spätlese with tons of wild strawberry and nectarine. And beneath this rather extrovert exterior is a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness. At the long finish, this side of the wine becomes ever stronger. It would be easy to underestimate the aging potential of this wine due to the generous upfront fruit. Drink or hold."
- 94 points – Wine Advocate (November 2023)
- 92 points – Vinous (October 2023)
Established in 1951 by Alfred and Rolf Merkelbach, this family-run estate in Ürzig, Mosel, has been renowned for its traditional winemaking methods, producing pure and honest Rieslings that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Following the passing of Rolf in October 2023 and Alfred in May 2024, the Selbach family has taken over stewardship of the estate, continuing the Merkelbach legacy with the same dedication to quality and tradition.
- WINEMAKER: The Selbach family, upholding the Merkelbach tradition
- FARMING: Sustainable practices; the estate maintains traditional methods with minimal intervention
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: Sourced from the Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard, characterized by stony, weathered red slate soils that impart a distinctive mineral quality to the wine
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation in traditional Mosel Fuder (1,200-liter oak casks), preserving the wine's authentic character
- AGING: Aged in old Mosel Fuder, allowing for gentle development and integration of flavors
- TASTING NOTES: This Spätlese offers a succulent profile with abundant wild strawberry and nectarine aromas. Beneath its expressive fruit lies a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness, leading to a long, balanced finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Pairs well with spicy Asian cuisine, roasted poultry, or as an elegant aperitif
-
SCORES:
- 94 points – James Suckling (November 2023): "Here's a succulent Riesling Spätlese with tons of wild strawberry and nectarine. And beneath this rather extrovert exterior is a serious structure and excellent mineral freshness. At the long finish, this side of the wine becomes ever stronger. It would be easy to underestimate the aging potential of this wine due to the generous upfront fruit. Drink or hold."
- 94 points – Wine Advocate (November 2023)
- 92 points – Vinous (October 2023)