2019 Max Ferdinand Richter Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese

Weingut Max Ferdinand Richter produces world-class Rieslings from some of the most esteemed vineyards in the Mosel, and all production comes from estate holdings. The terroir of their steep vineyard sites is generally grey slate with different compositions of ferruginous (Brauneberg), mineral quartz (Veldenz) or clay (Graach, Wehlen, Mülheim) soils; those deeply influence character and flavour of the wines. In order to reduce quantity and increase concentration, pruning is severe and in prolific years a green harvest is carried out in August. The vintage is picked much later than that of most growers and is done entirely by hand. Three passes are done to select the best qualities to eliminate all inferior grapes and to keep perfect botrytis bunches or single berries for Auslese qualities and above. The same attention is paid to all vines from the QBAs on up through the Eisweins.

Other Reviews....
The 2019 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is fascinatingly pure, bright, refined and flinty on the nose that reveals very fine Riesling, slate and iron aromas. Pure, fresh and filigreed on the palate, this is a crystalline, fresh and piquant, crisp and crystalline JSU Spätlese in the acidity-accentuated MFR style. The finish is pure and salty, piquant and concise and makes this an exciting wine to try again in 20 years. Tasted at the domain in September 2020. Drink 2040 - 2070.
95 points
Stephan Reinhardt - Wine Advocate (Oct 2020)

I love the beautifully ripe but delicate yellow-fruit aromas of this Spätlese, ranging from mirabelle to peach and just a hint of honeysuckle. A noble wine that remains restrained and slowly reveals its treasures to the patient. Discreet grape sweetness adds a touch of creaminess to the mid-palate, but the very mineral finish is totally clean. Drink or hold.
95 points
Stuart Pigott - jamessuckling.com

The 2019er Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese was harvested at 91° Oechsle, and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (79 g/l). It offers a deep and complex nose of smoke, tangerine, candied orange, apricot flower, a hint of mango, and honeyed peach. The wine is compact and still on the sweet side on the palate, but already more than hints at huge depth and great juiciness wrapped into a magnificently ripe sense of acidity in the finish. The after-taste also shows some of the freshness and lightness to come. The only thing this superb sweet Riesling now needs is patience. What a stunner in the making! Drink 2029-2069.
96 points
Jean Fisch & David Rayer - Mosel Fine Wines