The 2022 Schloss Johannisberg Grunlack Riesling Spätlese is a white wine from the Rheingau region of Germany, produced by Schloss Johannisberg. This wine is a Riesling varietal and is distinguished by its clear, intense, and aromatic profile.
James Suckling's review highlights the wine's finesse and balance, awarding it an excellent score of 99. He describes the nose as reminiscent of "18th century engravings of pear and white peach varieties," and praises the palate for its "enveloping and astonishingly fine fruit." He further comments on the "breathtaking leafy freshness and stony clarity" at the finish, noting its exceptional length. Suckling also mentions that the grapes are organically grown, adding an extra layer of appeal for those conscious of sustainable practices.
Vinous, through reviewer Anne Krebiehl MW, gives the wine a score of 94. She notes that the wine was harvested from the bottom of the slope, ensuring excellent water availability and no botrytis. The tasting notes highlight bright tangerine and lemon citrus notes, with additional hints of passion fruit foliage and Navel orange peel. The palate is described as "slender, brimming with sweet citrus," and combines flavors of tangerine, apricot, peach, lemon, and kumquat. Krebiehl emphasizes the wine's "purity, luminosity, and lightness," calling it a "lovely high-wire act" with 8.9g/L acidity and 76g/L residual sweetness.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with Stephan Reinhardt as the reviewer, also rates the wine at 94 points, with a note indicating it could be slightly higher (94+). Reinhardt describes the bouquet as "clear, intense, aromatic, savory and flinty," with tropical fruits intertwined with savory and saline notes. He finds the wine "perfectly ripe and super precise," calling it both rich and lush yet fine and elegant. He concludes that the wine is "mouthwatering without end," praising its "great precision and piquancy."
Overall, the 2022 Schloss Johannisberg Grunlack Riesling Spätlese is highly regarded for its balance, precision, and rich, complex flavors. The reviews consistently highlight its freshness, clarity, and the harmonious interplay of sweetness and acidity.