The 2022 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs (GG) from the Mosel Saar Ruwer region in Germany is a distinctive white wine crafted by the reputable producer Selbach-Oster. This Riesling, bottled with a traditional cork closure, has garnered significant praise from several prominent wine reviewers, reflecting its high quality and potential longevity.
Vinous rated this wine between 91-93 points, noting that it originates from the Braun parcel, which benefits from good water availability on a southwest-facing slope. The review highlights a nose that "slowly reveals lemon, a glint of passion fruit and a touch of hazelnut." On the palate, the wine is described as "smooth and rounded," with a vivid line of Amalfi lemon lending purity, texture, and length. The reviewer emphasizes its substance and body, achieved with a light touch, and suggests it will be best enjoyed between 2025 and 2050.
James Suckling gave a notably high score of 95 points, praising its "stunning peachy fruit" and describing it as a "no-brainer" for Riesling enthusiasts. He highlights the wine’s "wonderful interplay of concentrated fruit and elegant acidity," and the "delicate spritz of natural carbon dioxide" that enhances the stony freshness in the long finish. Suckling suggests that the wine is already delicious and recommends either drinking it now or holding it for further development.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine an impressive 96 points, commending its clear, refined, and flinty nose that balances cool slate and ripe Riesling aromas. The review describes the wine as "mouth-filling, round and generous" on the palate, with savory and saline notes. It is characterized as dense, intense, very mineral, and complex, with a firmly structured body. The reviewer, SR, calls it "one of the rare Must Buys of the vintage," and mentions its 12.5% alcohol content.
In summary, the 2022 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling GG is a highly acclaimed white wine that showcases exceptional clarity, refined minerality, and a complex flavor profile, making it a standout choice for Riesling aficionados.