Schloss Lieser SL Feinherb Estate Riesling

About

Thomas Haag, the winemaker at Schloss Lieser since ’92 and its owner since ’97, is also the brother of Oliver Haag and son of legendary Wilhelm Haag at the Fritz Haag estate, one of the most illustrious names in German winemaking. Thomas has a quiet intensity about him, much like his wines. He doesn’t bow to any popular wine making style; he makes wines his way and in a unique, terroir-driven style. His 9.5ha of vineyards include a 1.7ha parcel of the Brauneberger Juffer, with which his family is inextricably linked, as well as small plots in Bernkasteler Badstube, Graacher Domprobst and Graacher Himmelreich.

“Everything is handpicked,” says Thomas. “The goal is always to do as little as possible in the vineyards in terms of intervention.” Lara and Niklas represent the next generation of Schloss Lieser will join their parents at the estate. Both Lara and Niklas studied at Geisenheim University in the Rheingau, the top wine-making school in Germany. Niklas has two years left at Geisenheim and is focused on production, while his older sister Lara has already graduated and is working at the estate.

From Thomas Haag : “A goal of ours, with our children, of course, is to be 100% organic in our production in the coming years. This wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have both of our kids at home.

Harvest is the most important thing. It can last from 4-8 weeks depending on the vintage. We pass through the vineyards 3-4 times in each parcel. Really, you must be in the right vineyard at the perfect time. This comes from long experience but also some luck, of course! Quality is always decided and selected in the vineyard.

Schloss Lieser SL Feinherb Estate Riesling has herbal and minerally aroma, really flinty on the nose. A slight oily — Riesling-like! – taste without any oily texture. Tastes less sweet than the Willi Haag Estate Riesling and showing a little more development. Long, clean, zesty finish.