Scharzhofberger is one of the most famous sites in Germany and was probably planted by the Romans. It is extremely steep at a gradient of 30° to 60° and quite high in elevation. Every year, those parcels of Riesling which are worthy of the late picked Auslese style are hand selected by Egon Müller, to be vinified into one of the Rhineland's most cherished wines.
The soils at Scharzhofberg are very deep and without bedrock, originally formed by gray Devonian slate decomposition. The site is very well drained but still holds sufficient moisture, a characteristic shared by many of the finest European vineyards. The distinguished einzellagen comprises sixty seven acres, of which Egon Muller owns eighteen. The wines are fermented to wild indigenous yeasts and matured in thousand litres oak foudres. The aim is to craft the finest example of traditionally hand made Auslese. The well seasoned barrels are kept in deep, very cold, damp cellars, originally constructed by mediaeval monks, which offer the perfect environment to gently age the wines.
Pale gold hue. White fruit aromas and floral bouquet, citrus, peaches and pear. A rich palate with bright citrus acid balancing the sweetness of fruit flavours. The wine displays stony minerality, hints of acacia and lilac, grilled exotic fruit, sweet stone fruits and bracing acidity all combined in perfect harmony. The finish is very long, with generous, lingering complexity.
