The 2022 Selbach-Oster Schmitt Riesling is a white wine from the Mosel Saar Ruwer region of Germany, produced by Selbach-Oster. This particular vintage has garnered significant praise from reviewers, making it a noteworthy selection for Riesling enthusiasts.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 98 points, highlighting its exceptional quality. He describes it as "a giant Mosel riesling that defies all the regular categories and stands tall alone at high noon. Immensely concentrated and extremely pure," he continues, noting the wine's "barely off-dry balance" and its potential for a long aging process. Suckling emphasizes the wine's originality and limited production, suggesting that it is both a collector's item and a standout in its category.
Vinous also gave high marks, rating the wine at 94 points. The reviewer notes that the 2022 Riesling Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese Schmitt is "fully south-facing and located on the lower mid-slope." The tasting notes include a complex mix of "herbal savor, candied apple, vivid red apple, Reine Claude plum, and ripe peach." The wine is described as "lively, aromatic, shimmering with these various fruits and adding a little herbal spice such as crushed yarrow and fine slate." Vinous also mentions that the wine has 99 grams per liter of residual sweetness, making it a sweet wine with a vivid and lasting finish.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated the wine at 95 points, highlighting its potential for aging. The wine was "picked mid-October at 96° Oechsle" and is described as "still pretty reductive on the deep, precise and flinty nose." The palate is "lush and savory," with a "refreshing, clear and vivacious, grippy and tensioned" profile. The reviewer notes that this Riesling comes from 43-year-old vines in a south-facing vineyard that is open to the wind, adding to its unique character. With 7% stated alcohol and 99.8 grams per liter of residual sugar, this wine is expected to age well over the next decade or two.
Overall, the 2022 Selbach-Oster Schmitt Riesling is a highly regarded wine with excellent reviews from top critics, making it a compelling choice for both immediate enjoyment and long-term aging.