Oberemmler Karlsberg Riesling Auslese
⏳ Drinking Window
2020 - 2040
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Blue cheese, glazed roasted duck, and fruit tarts.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the cool, wind-swept Saar valley, a tributary of the Mosel, the Oberemmler Karlsberg vineyard is renowned for its steep, south-southwest-facing slopes rich in iron-bearing Devonian slate. Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt coaxes an extraordinary expression of Riesling from this site. The Auslese is crafted from meticulously hand-selected grapes, often touched by noble rot (botrytis), which concentrates the sugars, acids, and mineral complexity. Fermented slowly to preserve the pristine, vibrant fruit character, this wine beautifully balances luscious sweetness with the Saar's trademark electric, laser-like acidity. Historically, the Saar wines were highly prized in the late 19th century, often fetching higher prices than First Growth Bordeaux, and this Auslese carries that noble legacy forward with its intense notes of candied citrus, stone fruit, and smoky slate minerality.
🍾 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.