The producer
The famous Schloss Johannisberg vineyards was planted in 1720, when Prince Abbot Constantine of Buttlar acquired the, then, Benedictine Abbey of Fulda and decided to plant Riesling. As such, Schloss Johannisberg is, by many, considered the birthplace of Riesling, today producing some of the most prestigious wines, in the world, from this grape variety. At a recent annual wine auction in Eberbach Monasterry, a 100-year-old wine from Schloss Johannisberg sold for record price of €18,000.
The estate comprises 50 hectares of vineyards which face directly south, 182 metres above sea level, and with a 45 degrees inclination. North of estate are 300 hectares of forest, from which oak is used to make barrels used for winemaking. Underground the 900-year-old abbey cellar ‘Biblioteca Sunterranea’ holds about 25,000 bottles; the oldest are from 1748.
Schloss Johannisberg names their cuvees by the colour of the seal, we currently list the ‘Rosalack’.
The wine
The Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Spätlese Grünlack (Green Seal) is a rich and fragrant Spätlese medium-sweet style of Riesling, with an exotic bouquet of pineapple, passion fruit and honeydew melon, complemented by ripe peachnotes. On the palate the initial sweetness and concentration of freshness is perfectly balanced by a juicy lemon acidity and long aftertaste.
