2020 Clemens Busch Marienburg Falkenlay Riesling Grosses Gewachs

Clemens and Rita Busch are one of the pioneering organic, and now biodynamic, producers working in Germany. As the fifth generation winemaker at this estate, Clemens stopped using herbicides in 1976, then in 1984 he and wife Rita converted to organics. They were among the first in Germany to commit to organic viticulture and led the movement establishing an association of organic growers in 1986. The estate converted to biodynamics entirely in 2005, earning certifications from the EU and Respekt-Biodyn.

Based in Pünderich, almost all of the vines they work are on the slopes of the Marienburg, and unique for the Mosel, feature parcels planted on the three main colours of slate; blue, red, and grey. In the winery Clemens works with wild yeasts, and ferments mostly in very old 1000-litre barrels. Nothing is added to the wines at any stage, apart from a touch of sulphur at bottling. Most of the wines at the Busch estate are vinified dry, and they are rich, complex and often powerful. They age very beautifully, gaining in complexity and texture. However, the sweet and noble sweet wines from the estate are also impressive, ranking among the finest wines made anywhere on the Mosel.

Other Reviews....
The 2020 Marienburg GG Falkenlay opens with a clear, pure and crunchy slate aroma intermingled with generous, ripe and concentrated, very elegant Riesling fruit with herbal aromas. Full-bodied and rich yet refined and saline on the palate, this is a very delicate, pure yet also lush and superbly balanced Falkenlay with lingering salinity, fine tannins and mineral tension. It's very long and almost austere in its merciless terroir character. A great, original Riesling from the Marienburg. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022. Drink 2026 - 2055.
98 points
Stephan Reinhardt - Wine Advocate (Aug 2022)

If you thought you knew what peaches smell and taste like, then think again. At first there's a touch of bready character form long sur-lie maturation, but then the most ravishing peach aroma develops, plus notes of wild rose, orange and jasmine. Super-elegant on the ripe yet extremely precise palate. The peachy beauty only expands and expands at the breathtaking finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink or hold.
98 points
Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.com

The 2020er Marienburg Falkenlay GG, as it is referred to on the main part of the label, was fermented spontaneously in traditional oak casks from fruit harvested in a grey-slate infused part of the Marienburg vineyard. It proves still rather backward and only gradually reveals some nice flavors of smoke, pear, mirabelle, vineyard peach, cassis, herbs, and spices. The wine is beautifully juicy on the dry (but not bone-dry) palate and leaves a superbly playful feel of ripe fruits, spices, and smoke in the long finish. The potential is there and this wine now only needs a couple of years to reveal its finest. 2028-2040
93 points
Jean Fisch & David Rayer - Mosel Fine Wines