If you haven't heard of Emrich-Schönleber, it's through no fault of your own, and if you like Keller, Schäfer-Frohlich, Dönnhoff, or Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, you're in for a treat. Emrich-Schönleber produces tensile, mineral-fueled dry Rieslings that represent the best that Germany has to offer. I would echo their new importer's thoughts that these wines have not been properly available in the United States, and they need to be properly framed for enthusiasts navigating the German wine ecosystem. Driving through the Nahe in May 2023 on my German trip, the entire van of sommeliers and wine buyers shouted with excitement as we passed the Emrich Schönleber estate on the way to Dönnhoff further up river. - BRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER
Literally "A Special Place in Spring". The more approachable of the two Grosses Gewächs in its youth. Fine threads of red slate line this nearly seventy degree slope and produce a more aromatic and receptive wine.
97 Points from Stephan Reinhardt of Wine Advocate: "Werner Schönleber served the 2021 Frühlingsplätzchen GG after the Halenberg, which has never been the case here in 20 years, but knowing Werner's passion for the purity and freshness of this terroir, this makes completely sense. I remember I liked the 2019 Frühlingsplätzchen better than the Halenberg when it was young, and also from the 2021 vintage I adore the purity, brightness and flinty finesse of the Frühlingsplätzchen which is definitely the brighter, uplifted and purer Riesling. The finish is enormously salty and savory and reveals lemon fruit bitters on the aftertaste. This is life from stone, and it has a damn serious, very long and saline finish. Natural cork. 12% stated alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in August 2022."
