2024 Peter Lauer, Riesling Unterstenberg Fass Nr12, Mosel

Florian Lauer’s stewardship of the Ayler Kupp focuses on site-specific fermentations in neutral oak foudres, utilizing indigenous yeasts to translate the distinct hydrology and mineral composition of individual parcels. The Unterstenberg site, situated at the base of the hill, is characterized by weathered gray slate and deeper, clay-heavy soils that yield a Riesling of greater mid-palate weight and phenolic density compared to the higher, eroded slopes. For the 2023 vintage, Lauer navigated a growing season that rewarded precise harvest timing, resulting in a wine that balances significant dry extract with the racy, high-toned acidity characteristic of the Saar. Fass 12 emphasizes this structural harmony, offering a fine-grained texture and persistent mineral tension that serves as the wine’s primary architectural framework. This bottling remains a technical benchmark for Lauer’s "senior" style, where the perception of richness is driven by soil-derived intensity and extract rather than overt residual sugar.