Emrich-Schonleber ‘Fruhlingsplatzchen’ Riesling GG (2022) – This is the Grand Cru sites with what I think is the greatest name out there – pronounced “Froooh-lings-PLATS-shen.” Go ahead and say it, it’ll make you feel good. It translates, roughly, to “little place of spring.” While the Halenberg is the denser, more monumental wine, with likely more stuffing and structure to age longer, I’ll admit the Frühlingsplätzchen is my favorite. There, I said it. I just love the soaring aromatics, the sharpness of the wine, the linear lightness and delicacy, on special show with the vintage 2022. Many have noted how accessible, how open and giving the 2022 GGs are and this holds true for Schönleber, though they are rarely about fruit as much as they are about a saline quality, mineral and flower. This is a superb, superb GG that dances on the palate like a good old Spätlese Trocken… even Kabinett Trocken? 🙂
