Himmelreich's calling card is always a sharp, saline and slate-y cut with a dancing slate-inflected lightness.

As David Schildknecht's note above makes clear, the 2016 Spätlese takes these qualities to a compelling extreme.

Schaefer produced beautiful 2016s, but the Himmelreich Spätlese really stands out. It possesses a walk on tip toe intensity and steely rigor. This is simply an extraordinary expression of Riesling.

The 2016 vintage in Germany saw a rainy first half and nearly ideal weather for the remainder. August brought warm temperatures encouraging good ripeness levels and fall allowed for long leisurely harvesting with cool nights that crystallized the wine's wonderful clarity of fruit.

Schaefer's 2016 Himmelreich Spätlese boasts serious cut and a lifted gossamer presentation of saline minerality, clear stone fruits, herbs and floral notes. Everything feels perfectly calibrated and beautifully elegant.

Over the years, we've come to believe that Schaefer's wines are close to bulletproof when it comes to aging. It's a very safe bet that the Himmelreich Spätlese has an incredible future ahead of it.

To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Joe Salamone

Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits