Egon Muller : Riesling Scharzhofberger Spätlese 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Egon Müller Riesling Scharzhofberger Spätlese 2020

Tasting

Appearance

The color shows a pale yellow hue with golden highlights.

Nose

After a brief aeration, the nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity. Notes of white flowers, vine peach, and exotic fruits mingle with nuances of citrus, apricot, and mint. Mineral and spicy touches complete this elegant, refined bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its perfect balance of freshness and concentration. The texture is both intense and delicate, carried by bright acidity that brings lift and energy. Aromas of white-fleshed fruits and citrus linger into a remarkably long finish, marked by spicy notes and a deep minerality characteristic of slate terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This riesling pairs perfectly with spicy Asian cuisines, notably Thai curries and Sichuan dishes. It also matches elegantly with delicate fish, seafood, and poultry-based preparations. Soft-ripened cheeses such as brie or camembert also make excellent pairings. For desserts, opt for stone-fruit or honey-based preparations.

Serving and cellaring

Riesling Scharzhofberger Spätlese 2020 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve beautifully until around 2060. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 8 and 10°C.

An exceptionally refined Mosel riesling by Egon Müller

The estate

Founded in 1797 with the acquisition of the Scharzhof estate by Jean-Jacques Koch, Weingut Egon Müller today embodies the absolute pinnacle of Mosel wines. Led since 1991 by the sixth family generation, the estate spans around 8.5 hectares within the prestigious Scharzhofberger vineyard. The only German member of the exclusive Primum Familiae Vini circle, which brings together the twelve greatest wine families in the world, Egon Müller was recognized as Europe’s best fine-wine producer according to the Golden Vines Report 2025. The estate’s philosophy is built on a fundamental principle: wine quality is born 100% in the vineyard.

The vineyard

The Scharzhofberger vineyard is located in the Saar Valley, between the villages of Wiltingen and Oberemmel, in the Mosel. Egon Müller’s plots occupy steep slopes facing south to south-southeast, at elevations between 200 and 310 meters. The soils are composed of highly weathered gray and red Devonian slate, with rock content reaching seventy percent in certain areas. This mineral composition gives the wines their distinctive signature. The vineyard benefits from a cool microclimate with significant day-to-night temperature variations. Remarkably, around three hectares of ungrafted vines dating back to the 19th century survived phylloxera.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Germany was described as very good by the German Wine Institute. After a warm, sunny spring that encouraged early budbreak in April, flowering took place at the end of May, two weeks ahead of average. The hot, dry summer allowed harvesting to begin as early as late August. Cool conditions during the harvest period preserved high acidity in the grapes. Intermittent rains and variable ripeness required precise decisions regarding picking dates. Botrytis development was less significant than in 2019, favoring wines of great freshness and finesse, particularly well suited to Kabinett and Spätlese expressions.

Winemaking and aging

The Riesling Scharzhofberger Spätlese 2020 harvest was carried out by hand with several selective passes through the vineyard to pick the grapes at optimal ripeness. Pressing is performed using a traditional vertical method, without skin contact. Fermentation takes place in large old oak casks with a capacity of 1,000 liters, using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Fermentation finishes naturally around Christmas. Aging continues on the lees with minimal intervention, without significant sulfite additions, allowing this Mosel wine to fully express the purity of its terroir.

Grape variety

100% riesling