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| Community Tasting Notes (average 93.3 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 31 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by bambam on 2/4/2024 & rated 93 points: Light gold color. Slight petrol on the nose. Great energy that keeps the RS from being cloying. Apricot and apple in the mouth. Last bottle. Hold or Drink. (300 views) | | | Tasted by decaturwinedude on 7/20/2023 & rated 93 points: A Good Wednesday: Riesling and Friends: Knoll, Prum, Schaefer, LdH, CRB Pif, Gahier... (Northen China Eatery): Just about perfect at this point in its evolution. Some petrol- loads of tropical fruit and zippy acidity. Refreshing acidity. Balanced and intense. Great palate intensity. A foil to the spicy dishes. Probably stunning in another 5-10 years. (703 views) | | | Tasted by zpearson on 8/7/2022 & rated 93 points: AP 05 10. From mag. Pale yellow. An interesting oregano topnote here almost shading over into petrol. Pineapples in cream. Wow, lots of torque (read as sugar and acid pulling at each other), intensity and texture. Very long and savory. Will last forever, especially in this format. (973 views) | | | Tasted by Lehto on 8/1/2022 & rated 94 points: Coravin at Riesling Haus in Bernkastel.
Insane electricity and lightness. Also ethereal with a beautiful sweetness from tropical fruits, peach and with a light yet crisp citrus acidity. (1220 views) | | | Tasted by chbeaumont on 11/29/2021 & rated 93 points: Starbright, sunflower yellow; freesia, slate, hayseed, subtle; exquisitely off-dry, swathe of delicate fruit & acidity; sweeping finish, broadening out. Fully mature. (1319 views) | | | Tasted by Orange Tsian on 10/15/2021 & rated 95 points: 嗅觉上的味道成熟，整体风格偏向精选的一支晚收。刚开始有一点汽油味，随着杯中醒酒慢慢散掉。有着成熟圆融的果味，桃杏、柑橘、橘子糖、果脯、一点果干味，还有蜂蜜焦糖，中后段出现的流畅奶油感，包裹着红枣、红木、干橙花和细腻的矿物感，通体干净温柔且稳重，有着陈年带来的自如感。入口相当舒适，整体舒展温柔，结构中，酸甜融合，互相了无痕迹，却又无处不在，优雅。果味成熟，同嗅觉别无二致，在蜂蜜、焦糖和红木之外，还有这一些青瓜汁水带来的清新感，使得整体流动起来，恰似划过一道细流，静水流深，矿物随之流动，光滑细腻。95/100 (1315 views) | | | Tasted by vespa110 on 10/4/2021 & rated 93 points: Giallo oro, naso chiuso all'inizio poi si distende su note di frutta tropicale e fiori secchi, camomilla, mineralità, bocca nervosa con cenni verdi all'inizio poi si apre su note fruttate con salinita minerale. Piaciuto. (1183 views) | | | Tasted by Orange Tsian on 8/21/2021 & rated 93 points: 果味圆润中藏有些许锋锐，成熟的柑橘、苹果、桃子和一点点菠萝，是经典的中部Mosel味，还有些许蜂蜜，糖晶味淡淡的橡胶味。入口酒体中，酸度高，已经随着岁月融化，在后段还有些突出。整体平衡稳健，柑橘、苹果、菠萝构成了干净、细腻的果味，收尾的矿物如星点，整体很舒适。93/100 (918 views) | | | Tasted by Herschel Krustofski on 1/20/2020 & rated 92 points: The last bottle bottle of the case we've had for 9 years. While there was some bottle variation (mostly due to the fact it was kept at room temperature all that time), but this one has reached its peak in top shape. It would have lasted another 5 years+ if properly stored. A good example of a mature well-made Spatlese.
A good match to a hard-to-match dinner (spiced with turmeric root). (1497 views) | | | Tasted by BillBell73 on 1/13/2020: God this is brilliant right now with a big salty and acidic spine that balances out the tropical fruit and moderate sweetness. I don’t know where this goes from here but I can’t imagine how it could get better. An amazing wine even compared with the high bar this producer always sets. (1154 views) | | | Tasted by Sennma on 5/11/2015 & rated 89 points: Much cleaner nose than the 2009 tasted alongside. Way more fruit, rounder and softer. While a delicious wine now, I'm not sure this has the material to go for the long haul. (4244 views) | | | Tasted by acyso on 4/29/2015 & rated 93 points: Chicago ♥ Willi Schaefer (Chicago, IL): #05-10, 7.5% abv. The ripest and roundest of the three #5s we had tonight. This is, for better or worse, drinking splendidly well right now, showing a lovely ripe golden apple character from the get-go. Slightly sweeter than the other two wines, this is showing a small wisp of secondary characteristics already. While this is almost certainly also a wine to last, the 2010 seems to have more of what it takes to go the distance. This bottle does come off a bit fleshy and with only moderate acidity, I'd rather put my bet on the 2010s. (4540 views) | | | Tasted by Seth Rosenberg on 3/26/2015 & rated 93 points: Greet Adira and small BYO at our place (Clinton Hill, Brooklyn): This showed much better than the 02 #5. Light, airy, crisp, lime, powered stone, minty, saline and concentrated, Crystal, spice. Enters sweet with honey, lime, a touch heavy, some spice. This lightens up well in the midpalate as the acidity kicks in - lime, stone, crystal finish. This has the Schaefer lime creme I love so much - very nice for an 09. Give it 5 years for the palate heaviness to burn off and it will be excellent. Nose - 5.5/6, Palate - 4.5-5+/6, Finish - 5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1.5/2 = 16.5-17+/20. (4456 views) | | | Tasted by Herschel Krustofski on 10/28/2014 & rated 91 points: Going in the right direction. While it's no longer as bright as it was in the first year after release, it's beginning to acquire more mature qualities.
Should continue to evolve. (3546 views) | | | Tasted by Chasse_spleen on 6/29/2014 & rated 92 points: Fabulous honey nose, delicate balance of sweetness and acidity. Very good! (3939 views) | | | Tasted by coremill on 3/10/2014 & rated 91 points: Appley and citrusy, quite sweet at first, but with air it firms up and shows lots of smoky slatey rocks. Has that lovely light touch that I find a lot in Schaefer's wines, their wines aren't the most powerful but they have lovely finesse, and this one disappeared in a hurry. (2406 views) | | | Tasted by Herschel Krustofski on 3/7/2014 & rated 91 points: Textbook example of a Mosel Spätlese. Maturing rather slowly though; needs more time. 91+ / Time will tell.
8 bottles left to drink in the following decade. (2183 views) | | | Tasted by hcampana on 8/24/2013 & rated 95 points: Just a wonderful Spatlese. Flamboyant, open and inviting, the nose was a smorgarsbord of Riesling aromas in the lime-pear spectrum. In the palate, the acifity and sweetness played each other very well. An all and out winner tonight. (3639 views) | | | Tasted by salil on 2/1/2013 & rated 94 points: I didn't have a chance to try this on release, though I was blown away by how good the AP #10 Spätlese was (which was still firing on all cylinders when I checked into another bottle a few months ago). This seems like a step up in terms of ripeness; it's more intense and the fruit does feel richer, but at the same time there's a tremendous acid backbone here that keeps it very precise and focused. Each sip starts out with incredibly pure fruit up front and seems to turn more savoury and stony on the back end, with a finish that just keeps resonating. Amazing wine. (3622 views) | | | Tasted by Herschel Krustofski on 10/14/2012 & rated 90 points: Very promising but needs more time. Not as concentrated as I remembered from the first bottle opened when the wine was released a couple of years ago. (3272 views) | | | Tasted by bambam on 7/16/2012 & rated 96 points: Worthy of all the praise. Pears, white peaches, floral nose. Great balance of acidity and RS with a little zing on the finish. I could never get tired of this. (3066 views) | | | Tasted by Charlie Carnes on 5/31/2011 & rated 97 points: I think I got a problem here. I can't stop drinking these... must... resist! They're just so good. (4525 views) | | | Tasted by mdefreitas on 5/17/2011 & rated 96 points: Outstanding wine. Quite rich and thick in the mouth, but the flavors are very lean and Mosel-like... granny smith apple skin, pears and slate. The intensity overwhelms the palate in waves and finishes with tart, electric acids. Very young; an unformed infant. Once this sheds its baby fat and gains complexity this will undoubtedly be stunning. (4104 views) | | | Tasted by Charlie Carnes on 5/12/2011 & rated 97 points: I love hcampana's note below. Thrilling! I agree. (3925 views) | | | Tasted by Charlie Carnes on 4/14/2011 & rated 97 points: In a word: STUNNING! I think I astral projected at the first sip... OK, I'm back now. This is awesome stuff! (3830 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Joel B. Payne
Vinous, January/February 2011, IWC Issue #154
(Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #5) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jean Fisch and David Rayer
Mosel Fine Wines, Jul 2010, Issue No 12
(Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese #5) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Jul/Aug 2010, Issue #28, Weingut Willi Schaefer- Middle Mosel Magic Spanning Three Generations
(Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese AP #5- Weingut Willi Schaefer) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/10/2010)
(Willi Schaefer, Graacher Domprobst Fuder 5 Riesling Spätlese Mosel White) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Mar/Apr 2010, Issue #26, The 2009ers from Germany- Another Absolutely Stellar Vintage That Will Give the 2007ers A Run For Their Money
(Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese AP #5- Weingut Willi Schaefer) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (1/27/2011)
(Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese #5) Light lemon yellow color; lovely ripe lemon, tart peach nose; delicious, juicy, a little tight, tart peach, ripe lemon palate; medium-plus finish 93 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Mosel Fine Wines and View From the Cellar and JancisRobinson.com and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Willi Schaefer Producer website
U.S. Importer (Addt'l Info)
Contact Info for Willi Schaefer
Weingut Willi Schaefer is one of only eight German estates listed in Parker’s book The World’s Greatest Wine Estates. He describes the wines as: “Glorious, pleasurable, but extraordinarily complex, savoury and just compelling. These are wines of purity, integrity and restraint, but understated power and intensity.”Riesling Varietal character (Appellation America) | A short history of Riesling (Uncork) | Riesling (wikipedia)Graacher DomprobstDer Weinort Graach und seine Weinlagen
Der Weinort Graach, moselabwärts neben Bernkastel-Kues gelegen, wird erstmals im Jahre 975 in einer Urkunde des Trierer Erzbischofs Theoderich (965-977) erwähnt. Der Ortsname "Graach" selbst ist keltischen Ursprungs und weist auf die Besiedelung des Moseltales durch den keltischen Stamm der Treverer im 5. Jahrhundert v.Chr. hin. Daß Graach eine ehemals bedeutende keltische Siedlung gewesen sein muß, belegen Ausgrabungen aus jüngerer Zeit, die auf der Moselhöhe über dem Ort einen keltischen Tempelbezirk freigelegt haben.
In Graach, das zu den größten Weinbaugemeinden des mittelalterlichen kurtrierischen Staates zählte, hatte die Geistlichkeit umfangreiche Besitzungen. Nach einer Aufstellung aus dem Jahre 1720 gehörten der Kirche 25% der Gemarkung; zusammen mit einigen ritterschaftlichen Besitzungen waren ein Drittel der Graacher Weinberge in grundherrschaftlichem Besitz. Noch heute zeugen die verbliebenen Weinbergsnamen Himmelreich, Dompropst, Abtsberg und Josefshof von diesen engen Bindungen zu den geistlichen Feudalherren.
Wie überall an der Mosel begann der Aufschwung des qualitätsorientierten, bürgerlichen Weinbaues mit der Säkularisation des Kirchenbesitzes durch den Reichsdeputationshauptschluß 1803, als ein Großteil des geistlichen Besitzes für billigstes Geld veräußert werden mußte. Die Eingliederung des Moselgebietes in das Königreich Preußen brachte wirtschaftliche Blüte und veranlaßte viele, nunmehr zu Grundeigentum gekommene Winzer, ihre Weinberge mit Rieslingreben zu bepflanzen, die bessere Qualitäten bei geringeren Mengenerträgen brachten, als die zuvor verwendeten Kleinbergerreben. Der Ruf der Graacher Weine konnte sehr schnell Anerkennung finden und bereits 1837 schrieb Christian von Stramberg , der Klassiker unter den Weinautoren, Graach produziere einen der edelsten Moselweine.
Der Graacher Weinberg selbst ist Teil des mächtigen, rechts der Mosel gelegenen Schieferhang-Massives, das sich von Bernkastel über Graach und Wehlen bis nach Zeltingen hinstreckt und eine Fülle weltbekannter Rieslinglagen aufweist: den Berncasteler Doctor, die Badstube, Graacher Himmelreich und Dompropst, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr und Schloßberg. Die Graacher Weinbergsgemarkung weist ca. 135 ha Rebfläche aus und ist ausnahmslos mit Rieslingreben bestockt. Die beiden großen und bedeutendsten Lagen Dompropst und Himmelreich haben davon einen Anteil von 28,5 ha bzw. 87 ha. Die Exposition der 100%igen Steillagen liegt nach Süd-Westen; der Boden ist mittel- bis tiefgründiger steiniger, frisch verwitternder Tonschiefer.
Während der Name "Dompropst" direkten Bezug nimmt auf den Trierer Dompropst, dem ein Drittel des Weinzehnten von Graach zustand, ist der Name "Himmelreich" als hochgelegene und alle Winzerwünsche erfüllende Lagenbezeichnung zu deuten.
On weinlagen.infoGermany Wines of Germany | The Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) | How to read a German wine label | Geographical Information Down to Single Vineyards
#2014 Vintage Notes:
2014 Vintage Report by Terry Theise
2014 Vintage Report by Wine Spectator
"My gut still tells me the Saar (and to some extent) the Ruwer are better overall in 2014 than the more storied areas of the Mosel proper, but those that spent the requisite time living in their middle-Mosel vineyards made some of the most electric and "feathery" Riesling in a long time (maybe the finest in 20 years - yes, it's true!)" - Jon Rimmerman (Of course only a very short historical memory would call the Saar and Ruwer less 'storied' than the middle Mosel - jht)Mosel Saar RuwerStarting in 2007 the German wine authorities have changed labeling laws to rename all of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wines to just "Mosel." This puts this and other database driven sites in a difficult spot, as millions of old wine label reflect the former labeling. As described here, CellarTracker has elected to remain with the old labeling for a number of years to avoid confusion. At some point we will switch over to just "Mosel" but not for a few years at least.
Mosel WeinKulturland (Moselwein e.V.)
Detailed geographical information at weinlagen.info
#2018 Vintage Notes:
"Acid levels are relatively low throughout Riesling-growing Europe (acidification will once again be permitted in Germany – no surprise, as that’s been the case in eight of the last 10 vintages); but because malic acid was baked off or degraded by relentlessly balmy weather means, what acid remains is overwhelmingly of the efficacious tartaric sort. Extract levels are low, as one would anticipate from a growing season during which relatively little moisture was coursing through the vine’s roots and shoots. [...] Everyone is astonished how there could have been so much juice despite the drought." - David Schildknecht
"2018 is a homogenous vintage with a very high general level, below which it seldom falls [...] It leads with blossom. It is perhaps 80% delicious and 20% fascinating." - Terry Theise
#2017 Vintage Notes:
"not so friendly towards light wines" - Milkmansteve
#2016 Vintage Notes: "Overall, 2016 is a charmer of a vintage with much immediate ripe and fruity appeal, not unlike 2011 (in fresher) or 2007 (in lighter). However, 2016 is far from being homogeneous, in fact it is composed of a mosaic of vintages, a result of the freakish growing conditions. Hidden inside the vintage, there are true gems with the balance of 1997, one of the best vintages ever, 2002 or even 2008. The bulk of the harvest was brought in with refreshingly moderate sugar levels. Overall, the Saar and Ruwer produced slightly fresher wines than the Middle Mosel but there are great differences between Estates. The good harvest conditions allowed for some Auslese, little BA and even TBA wines, but some remarkably pure and fruity Eiswein.
In general, 2016 offers the opportunity to acquire Riesling with great immediate ripe appeal: The vintage is a true charmer. At the top, 2016 is one of the most exciting and elegantly balanced vintage since the 1990s and well-worth stocking up for cellaring! In particular, we urge our readers to literally plunge onto the finest Kabinett and Spätlese: These are some of the most exciting and classic we have ever tasted. 2016 looks also set to become a major vintage for dry Riesling, provided the aromatics are not overripe. Lovers of dessert wines will find much to love in 2016 as the Auslese are pure and the Eiswein are gorgeously fruity. They should however also keep an eye open for the remaining stunning noble-sweet wines from 2015 which are still available here and there." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 36, July 2017
#2014 Vintage Notes:
"The heterogeneity of the 2014 vintage carries over onto the aging process. The top wines start to close down, as one would expect from these wines which are a remake of those from the 1990s. The wines affected by gin, saffron and mushroom flavors are still comparatively open and offer a not unattractive Scheurebe styled fruit opulence. We would opt to drink up these lesser wines except for the odd bottle and bury the little treasures of the vintage deep into the cellar." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 30, March 2016
#2013 Vintage Notes:
"The fruity-styled 2013 wines have firmed up significantly since last year and start to show signs of closing down, making the underlying acidity seemingly sharp and out of balance. The better dry wines have come out of their early armor of smoke and tannin but the acidity may prove quite challenging. Quite frankly, except for some smaller bottlings, this is a vintage to lay down and wait." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2012 Vintage Notes:
"The 2012 wines have put on some flesh and go through a 'fattier' phase which is not unlike what the 2007 went through at the same period. However, the zestier acidity cuts through this 'weight' and makes the wines thoroughly enjoyable at this early stage. In particular the fruity Kabinett and Spatlese as well as the off-dry and dry wines offer much pleasure. We expect these wines to close down over the coming year or two. Enjoy while it lasts!" - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2011 Vintage Notes:
"A bit to our surprise, the 2011 wines have shut down and go through a quite difficult and muted phase now. Their low acidity combined with their maturity makes them feel rich, opulent and often bulky, and thus not really enjoyable. We expect that these will need at least a decade to integrate their sweetness and gain in harmony. The only exception is the dry wines, whose low acidity makes for great food companionship." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2010 Vintage Notes:
"After a mellower period in 2012, many 2010 wines have firmed up and developed a stronger smoky side. However, most continue to shine through their fruit opulence, structure and deliciously zesty but ripe acidity. This suits in particular the off-dry bottlings, which have more charm than the legally dry wines. Will these wines close down? Actually, the softening acidity makes us wonder now but it also provides further evidence that these wines will turn out harmonious after all." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015
#2009 Vintage Notes:
"Most 2009 wines have closed down, which accentuates their round and soft side forward. Many can still be quite enjoyable but the times of primary fruit with its attractive aromatic expression and a generous acidic kick are now over. Except for the dry wines, we would definitely recommend keeping your hands off any bottle in your cellar and possibly buying more wines from this vintage on the market as these are true gems in the making." - Mosel Fines Wines, No. 27, March 2015 |
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