At a glance

Producer

Weingut Günther Steinmetz

Region

Mosel, Germany

Grape variety

Riesling

Wine type

Dessert

Body

Light-bodied and Delicate

Sweetness

Sweet

Typical price

$32-50 USD (retail, ex-tax)

Tasting profile

Aromatic nose of white peach, apple blossom, citrus oil, gentle petrol hints. Lively palate with honeyed stone fruit, green apple, and crystalline slate minerality.

Evolution: Over the next 3-5 years, increased integration, smokier mineral notes, and classic Mosel petrol. Sweetness moderates with time.

At peak: Complex bouquet of candied citrus, apricot, honey, petrol, and elegant florals—balanced sweetness and scintillating acidity, long mineral finish.

Structure

Acidity

High

Tannins

None (white wine, no skin contact typical for style)

Alcohol

Low (7.5-8.5% typical for Mosel Spätlese)

Aging potential

Excellent; 10-15 years, potentially longer in ideal storage.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2029 to 2046

Optimal window

2026 to 2049

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Fresh, vibrant, with primary fruit and high acidity; entering its awakening phase for complex tertiary notes.

Spätlese Rieslings from the Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr site tend to reach a harmonious interplay of fruit, acid, and minerality after 5-10 years. The 2021 vintage’s high acidity promises longevity, while its fruit profile emerges as tertiary notes (petrol, honey) evolve, hitting peak drinkability from mid to late decade.

Food pairing

Spicy Asian cuisine, foie gras, soft cheeses, roasted pork, dishes with aromatic herbs, and fruit-driven desserts.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Focus on high-density old vine cultivation, hand-harvesting, and low-intervention winemaking. Herbicides and systemic chemicals generally avoided but not fully certified organic or biodynamic. No formal water/energy policy, glass bottle standard for Mosel (relatively light).

While Weingut Günther Steinmetz emphasizes traditional, low-intervention viticulture and handwork, the lack of formal third-party environmental certifications and limited data on energy/water use keep the sustainability rating mid-scale. Standard Mosel packaging and international shipping further temper the score; however, careful vineyard management and avoidance of synthetics support eco-friendly aims relative to conventional producers.