2020 Max Ferdinand Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese

Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter produces world-class Rieslings from some of the most esteemed vineyards in the Mosel, and all production comes from estate holdings. The terroir of their steep vineyard sites is generally grey slate with different compositions of ferruginous (Brauneberg), mineral quartz (Veldenz) or clay (Graach, Wehlen, Mülheim) soils; those deeply influence character and flavour of the wines. In order to reduce quantity and increase concentration, pruning is severe and in prolific years a green harvest is carried out in August. The vintage is picked much later than that of most growers and is done entirely by hand. Three passes are done to select the best qualities to eliminate all inferior grapes and to keep perfect botrytis bunches or single berries for Auslese qualities and above. The same attention is paid to all vines from the QBAs on up through the Eisweins.

Other Reviews....
From vines about 100 years old from a parcel below the sundial, just down the Moselle, and aged in fuder, the 2020 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is deep, intense and complex but also subtle on the refined and elegant, almost ethereal nose that intermingles perfectly ripe and healthy fruit aromas with notes of crushed stones. Lush and piquant on the palate with some fine tannins and very discreet new(er) oak notes, this is a vibrantly fresh and stimulatingly salty, well-structured WSU that is still far too young to show its true merits. Yet everything here—most of all its energy and incredible tension and salinity—indicates a great future. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted from AP 1721 in November 2021. Drink 2030 - 2070.
95 points
Stephan Reinhardt - Wine Advocate (Dec 2021)

Stunning balance of white-peach, Amalfi-lemon and tropical-flower aromas with racy acidity and fine-grained mineral character that swallows up this wine’s generous natural sweetness. Very long finish with so much lime freshness that it effortlessly lifts the corners of your mouth. Super-clean finish. Drink or hold.
95 points
Stuart Pigott - jamessuckling.com

The 2020er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese was made from fruit picked at 90° Oechsle on over 90-year-old vines and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (80 g/l). It offers a beautiful nose made of pear, coconut, apricot blossom, aniseed herbs, lime, and smoky elements. The wine is beautifully juicy and animating on the palate and leaves a remarkably playful and mouthwatering feel in the fruity and mineral finish. A touch of passion fruit adds an exotic side to the aftertaste. Drink 2030-2050.
93 points
Jean Fisch & David Rayer - Mosel Fine Wines