2024 Emrich-Schonleber, Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Auslese, Nahe

Frank and Werner Schönleber’s 2024 harvest was defined by extreme viticultural selection, a necessary response to a growing season that saw yields reduced by 50% due to severe April frosts. The Monzinger Halenberg, a steep VDP Grosse Lage composed of blue slate and quartzite, serves as the structural anchor for this Riesling, offering the drainage and southern exposure vital for achieving physiological maturity in a cooler year. By utilizing whole-cluster pressing and isolating the heart of the press, the estate preserved the high-tensile energy and saline-driven precision that are hallmarks of their technical approach. This Auslese is characterized by its compact architectural frame and fine-grained tension, with the vintage’s elevated acidity providing a clean, vertical lift against a dense mid-palate. The resulting wine is a focused expression of its stony origin, showcasing structural clarity and mineral focus over broad, botrytis-driven weight.