Fritz Haag 'Brauneberger Juffer' Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany 2022
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
The historic Fritz Haag estate dates back to 1605 and is located in the heart of the Mosel Valley in the village of Brauneberg. The estate has been in the Haag family for generations, with Wilhelm Haag earning the distinction of being named Gault Millau's first "Winemaker of the Year" in 1994. Since 2005, his son Oliver Haag has led the estate, continuing the family's reputation for producing some of the Mosel's most elegant and intensely flavored Rieslings. The estate owns 17.5 hectares of prime vineyard land, all exclusively planted to Riesling, including significant holdings in the legendary Brauneberger Juffer and Juffer-Sonnenuhr vineyards. The village of Brauneberg was renamed in 1925 from "Dusemond" to "brown mountain," a reference to the distinctive brown slate soils that define the area's terroir.
- WINEMAKER: Oliver Haag
- FARMING: Sustainable
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: The Brauneberger Juffer vineyard is a terrifyingly steep, south-facing slope with gradients reaching 75-80%, making it one of the most dramatically sited vineyards in the Mosel. The site has been revered since Roman times in the 2nd century and was classified as first rank when Mosel vineyards were officially categorized in 1806. Napoleon himself paid tribute to Brauneberger wines by fixing their prices above all other Mosel wines. The vineyard is composed of fine weathered Devonian blue slate with iron oxide inclusions that retain heat optimally. The proximity of the Mosel River acts as a reflector, intensifying sunlight exposure. This is one of the drier vineyard sites in the region, a significant advantage in the Mosel's wet northern climate. The name "Juffer" (meaning "old maid" in local dialect) dates to the 1790s when three unmarried daughters of aristocratic proprietor Kurpfälzische Kammerherr Wunderlich took over vineyard management from their father.
- VINIFICATION: The Kabinett is produced from early-picked fruit harvested at moderate Oechsle degrees to achieve the classic delicate Kabinett style. Grapes are hand-harvested with gentle processing. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using native yeasts and is allowed to ferment down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar. Oliver Haag employs traditional cellar techniques passed down through generations, with careful, selective harvesting ensuring only the finest fruit is used.
- AGING: Extended lees contact in a combination of stainless steel tanks and traditional Fuder (large oak casks). Technical specifications: 8.0% alcohol, 44.9 g/L residual sugar, 8.7 g/L total acidity.
- TASTING NOTES: Delicate white blossom aromas lead to notes of vineyard peach, mango, green apple, and whipped cream, underscored by distinctive slate minerality. Light-bodied and beautifully structured with vivid fluidity and juicy flow. The palate shows citrus purity with touches of peach framed by lemon zest, balanced by vibrant, mouth-watering acidity. The subtle sweetness is elegantly integrated, wrapped in fresh citric charm with a long, mineral-driven finish displaying wet stone character.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Asian cuisine, particularly Thai and Vietnamese dishes; smoked trout; green salads with citrus vinaigrette; Manchego cheese and Marcona almonds; cold-water oysters; sushi and sashimi; spicy Szechuan cuisine; roasted chicken with herbs.
- SCORES: 93 Mosel Fine Wines, 93 James Suckling
Fritz Haag 'Brauneberger Juffer' Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany 2022
The historic Fritz Haag estate dates back to 1605 and is located in the heart of the Mosel Valley in the village of Brauneberg. The estate has been in the Haag family for generations, with Wilhelm Haag earning the distinction of being named Gault Millau's first "Winemaker of the Year" in 1994. Since 2005, his son Oliver Haag has led the estate, continuing the family's reputation for producing some of the Mosel's most elegant and intensely flavored Rieslings. The estate owns 17.5 hectares of prime vineyard land, all exclusively planted to Riesling, including significant holdings in the legendary Brauneberger Juffer and Juffer-Sonnenuhr vineyards. The village of Brauneberg was renamed in 1925 from "Dusemond" to "brown mountain," a reference to the distinctive brown slate soils that define the area's terroir.
- WINEMAKER: Oliver Haag
- FARMING: Sustainable
- VARIETY: 100% Riesling
- TERROIR: The Brauneberger Juffer vineyard is a terrifyingly steep, south-facing slope with gradients reaching 75-80%, making it one of the most dramatically sited vineyards in the Mosel. The site has been revered since Roman times in the 2nd century and was classified as first rank when Mosel vineyards were officially categorized in 1806. Napoleon himself paid tribute to Brauneberger wines by fixing their prices above all other Mosel wines. The vineyard is composed of fine weathered Devonian blue slate with iron oxide inclusions that retain heat optimally. The proximity of the Mosel River acts as a reflector, intensifying sunlight exposure. This is one of the drier vineyard sites in the region, a significant advantage in the Mosel's wet northern climate. The name "Juffer" (meaning "old maid" in local dialect) dates to the 1790s when three unmarried daughters of aristocratic proprietor Kurpfälzische Kammerherr Wunderlich took over vineyard management from their father.
- VINIFICATION: The Kabinett is produced from early-picked fruit harvested at moderate Oechsle degrees to achieve the classic delicate Kabinett style. Grapes are hand-harvested with gentle processing. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using native yeasts and is allowed to ferment down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar. Oliver Haag employs traditional cellar techniques passed down through generations, with careful, selective harvesting ensuring only the finest fruit is used.
- AGING: Extended lees contact in a combination of stainless steel tanks and traditional Fuder (large oak casks). Technical specifications: 8.0% alcohol, 44.9 g/L residual sugar, 8.7 g/L total acidity.
- TASTING NOTES: Delicate white blossom aromas lead to notes of vineyard peach, mango, green apple, and whipped cream, underscored by distinctive slate minerality. Light-bodied and beautifully structured with vivid fluidity and juicy flow. The palate shows citrus purity with touches of peach framed by lemon zest, balanced by vibrant, mouth-watering acidity. The subtle sweetness is elegantly integrated, wrapped in fresh citric charm with a long, mineral-driven finish displaying wet stone character.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Asian cuisine, particularly Thai and Vietnamese dishes; smoked trout; green salads with citrus vinaigrette; Manchego cheese and Marcona almonds; cold-water oysters; sushi and sashimi; spicy Szechuan cuisine; roasted chicken with herbs.
- SCORES: 93 Mosel Fine Wines, 93 James Suckling