Riesling Faß 25, Peter Lauer VDP, Mosel

Riesling Faß 25, Peter Lauer VDP, Mosel, Germany . The 25th barrel in the cellar is for this Ayler Riesling Ortswein . High quality white wine, mineral and harmoniously dry, with a fine salty note. Lime and orange zest, peach, almond, deliciously spicy, delicate, very fine 'Saar nose'. That means: fresh, playful, round, grip (mini tannin), lively and delicately juicy. Long finish. A Saar Riesling as it should be.

• Serving: 10 °C
• Drinking: Now to 2030+

From 6 eastern slopes of the Scheidterberg and Rauberg near Ayl . This wine shows the spicy side of the Ayler Riesling terroir: blue-grey slate from the Devonian. Hand-picked, slow pressing of whole bunches, débourbage (clarification), fermentation with wild yeasts, maturation of 4 months in old 1000-litre foeders, regular bâtonnage (stirring) of the fine lees. That gives roundness to the wine.

Lauer: holistic and natural wine production

Florian Lauer (son of Peter Lauer) is not an organic winemaker in the classical sense. So it says no certification on the label. Lauer opts for a slightly different approach. More holistic, nature-based wine production. This is not limited to environmentally friendly work in the vineyard. The vinification in the cellar is also organic. In addition, the recycled bottles and packaging without tape are also part of Florian Lauer's philosophy.

No copper against (false) mildew

In the vineyard, Lauer does not use herbicides or poisons against insects or mites. Only agents from organic viticulture that have existed for years. But, without heavy metals such as copper, because this kills the earthworms and kills microorganisms in the soil.

For example, Lauer uses a healing organic fungicide against downy mildew. As a result, the number of sprayings normally required in organic viticulture has been more than halved. Only organic fertilizer from the area is used in the vineyards.

Hamersma 9+. Perswijn 16.5/20 - no. 2 Wine Competition

Hamersma: For years Riesling at a high level. Originating from vineyards on a tiny cliff, towering over the Saar. Lauer does not produce much. But what he does produce is of sublime quality .

More compact and powerful than wines from the nearby Mosel valley where it is just a little warmer. Despite the relative coolness: tropical notes, played with perfection. Steadfast acids, not too nervous. Juicy, loose-dry white with a pinch of white pepper on the side. Light marzipan filling, yet bone dry in the finale, where a not too strict orange peel bitterness awaits the drinker.

Anyway, Riesling with a hold.

Florian Lauer in the Saar focuses on the category Rieslings between 'Trocken' and 'Feinherb'. Dry if possible (or must as with VDP Grosses Gewächs wines) but not at the expense of the natural balance of the wine or the palatability.
Lauer chooses a traditional style of winemaking with wild yeasts, in old wooden barrels (1000 liters), in contact with the fine lees. This gives him richer, broader and complex dry wines.

Riesling for advanced users

Lauer cultivates several top vineyards including the famous Ayler Kupp (a 'Grosse Lage' or Grand Cru ). Mostly steep vineyards on blue slate, with old vines. Almost every plot is vinified separately. Within the Ayler Kupp vineyard , Kern, Unterstenberg, Neuenberg and Stirn . Because of this fanatical search for the minute differences in terroir, Lauer calls his wines 'Riesling for advanced users'.
Yet it is not an intellectual or difficult to fathom style. Lauer wines can be compared to Mozart. Connoisseurs write libraries full of the complexity of his genius compositions. But every layman can enjoy the 'effortless' perfection of his music.

Riesling Faß 25, Peter Lauer, Mosel (Saar)