Josephshofer Riesling Auslese
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 10 to 35 years from the vintage release, with top vintages easily cellar-worthy for 50 years or more.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
blue cheese, glazed roasted duck, tart, glazed roasted duck,
✨ Technical Specifications
The Josephshofer vineyard is a legendary five-hectare monopole in Graach, owned exclusively by Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt since 1858, when it was acquired from the secularized Abbey of St. Martin in Trier. This historic site, situated on a steep, south-facing slope of deep, weathered Devonian slate, produces Rieslings of singular character, often noted for their spicy, herbaceous complexity and robust structure compared to neighboring vineyards. The Auslese expression is crafted from meticulously hand-selected, overripe grapes, often touched by noble rot. Fermented slowly to preserve its delicate aromatics, the wine showcases a masterful interplay of luscious stone fruit sweetness, honeyed complexity, and the Mosel's signature electric, slate-driven acidity.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1349, Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt is one of the Mosel's most venerable estates, boasting a viticultural lineage that spans nearly seven centuries. Acquired by the Reh family in 1978 and revitalized under the stewardship of Annegret Reh-Gartner, the estate is headquartered at Schloss Marienlay in the Ruwer valley. The winery holds an extraordinary portfolio of steep-slope terroirs extending across the Mosel, Saar, and Ruwer valleys, united by varied Devonian blue, red, and grey slate soils and cool, river-moderated microclimates. Sustainable vineyard stewardship emphasizes low yields and selective hand-harvesting. Cellar work combines temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel with traditional oak casks, focusing on purity, site expression, and vibrant acidity. The estate produces classic dry Grosses Gewächs and pristine Prädikat bottlings from premier crus like Scharzhofberger, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen, and Wehlener Sonnenuhr, headlined by its celebrated 3.8-hectare Graach monopole, the Josephshöfer.
🍇 Grapes
100% Riesling