Weingut Emrich-Schönleber - "Halenberg" Riesling Großes Gewächs 2020

The Emrich-Schönleber estate has been around for over 250 years, but it wasn't until the 1960's that it began to focus exclusively on wine. In the 1970's, Werner Schönleber took over the family’s land and expanded the vineyard holdings — from two to ten hectares — around the town of Monzingen, particularly in two vineyards: Halenberg and Frühlingsplätzchen. Today, Werner oversees the 18 hectares of vineyards, while his son, Frank, runs the winery (though Frank is gradually taking over full control of all vineyard work too). Emrich-Schönleber’s wines are among the best made not only in the Nahe, but all of Germany. They focus on Riesling, and the dedication in the vineyards and the cellar shines through in all their bottles.

Halenberg is Monzingen's smallest vineyard, planted exclusively with Riesling, most of which belong to Emrich-Schönleber. Facing south with gradients of up to 70%, Halenberg has stony blue slate and quartzite soils that make the Riesling vines struggle in the summer for every drop of water. As a result, the grapes in this vineyard stay small and develop an especially exquisite aroma. Halenberg has an inherent, finely structured, saline minerality. It often reveals aromas reminiscent of ripe grapefruit and other exotic fruits. After a little aging, it takes on its characteristically spicy, herbal personality.