The 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Riesling Feinherb is a distinguished white wine hailing from the renowned Mosel Saar Ruwer region in Germany. Produced by Willi Schaefer, this Riesling is notable for its balance and refined characteristics. Bottled under a screw cap, the wine contains 10.5% alcohol by volume, making it a light and approachable option for various occasions.
This Riesling has garnered positive feedback from professional reviewers, reflecting its quality and appeal. Stephan Reinhardt of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine a score of 92, praising its "bright and refined" nose with "white peach aromas intertwined with discreetly flinty slate aromas." Reinhardt noted that the wine is "round and lush on the palate," with "ripe, elegant acidity" and a "mouth-filling and fruity" finish. He also highlighted the wine's good length and delicate acidity, although he mentioned that it does not have the same sharpness and precision as its dry counterpart.
James Suckling's review, penned by Stuart Pigott, provides an enthusiastic appraisal, awarding the wine an excellent score of 95. Pigott describes the 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Riesling Feinherb as embodying "the freshness of spring and the fruits of fall." He commends its "astonishing finesse and slatey intensity for a village wine," emphasizing its "sleek and silky" texture on the "barely medium-bodied palate." Pigott also highlights the wine's "super-long and graceful finish," noting that it "takes your breath away."
In summary, the 2022 Willi Schaefer Graacher Riesling Feinherb is a well-crafted Riesling that combines freshness, finesse, and a slatey intensity. Both Reinhardt and Pigott's reviews underscore its elegance and balanced acidity, making it a commendable choice for Riesling enthusiasts. The wine's ability to offer a rich, textured experience while maintaining a light alcohol content further enhances its versatility and appeal.