2023 Schloss Lieser Riesling Trocken, Mosel

Sleek, crisp and light-bodied, but with ample substance and lively acidity, this is an excellent introduction to dry Mosel riesling. A bold, zesty, lemony finish with good herbal freshness. Just 11% alcohol. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.

90 points jamessuckling.com

Schloss Lieser Riesling Trocken is a beautifully pure expression of the Mosel, drawing fruit from estate vineyards scattered across the steep slate slopes around Lieser, Brauneberg and the middle Mosel. These dramatic hillsides of blue and grey Devonian slate are the soul of Mosel Riesling, storing warmth during the day and releasing it at night, allowing grapes to ripen slowly while keeping their piercing natural acidity. At the helm is Thomas Haag, one of Germany’s most respected Riesling masters, whose gentle, traditional winemaking focuses on capturing site and season rather than imposing a house style. Even at this level, the wine reflects the pedigree of a domaine that owns some of the region’s most famous vineyards.

The wine is pale straw with green reflections, opening with aromas of lime, green apple, white peach and crushed stone, with a subtle smoky edge from the slate soils. On the palate it is dry, crisp and wonderfully precise, delivering citrus, orchard fruit and a fine mineral grip that makes it both refreshing and quietly complex. It is a dream with seafood, sushi, schnitzel, roast chicken and fresh cheeses, and it also has the balance to develop over five to ten years, gaining honeyed and savoury nuances while retaining its vibrant core. This is Mosel Riesling at its most honest and drinkable, a wine that shows why Schloss Lieser is so highly regarded.