Egon Muller : Riesling Scharzhof 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Egon Muller Riesling "Scharzhof" 2022

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a light to medium golden hue, typical of white wines with a touch of sweetness.

Nose
Wonderfully pure and vibrant, the nose opens with aromas of green apple, lemon and subtle yeasty notes. It then evolves towards scents of white peach and wild flowers such as honeysuckle, all underscored by a pronounced minerality reminiscent of gunflint and slate.

Palate
Exquisitely light with a gentle sweetness on the attack, the palate offers a velvety texture and remarkable precision. Flavours of tart apple and citrus mingle with herbaceous touches. The whole is supported by vibrant acidity and a taut mineral backbone, leading to a long, saline, fresh finish subtly marked by citrus zest.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood such as lobster, scallops or white-fleshed fish. It also enhances spicy Asian dishes, white meats in sauce, as well as charcuterie boards and umami-rich dishes. At the end of a meal, it pairs perfectly with orchard fruit or citrus desserts.

Service and storage

Already approachable, this Riesling "Scharzhof" 2022 has a structure that will allow it to age beautifully and be enjoyed until around 2045.

Other characteristics

This white wine from Germany stands out for its slightly off-dry profile, offering a perfect balance between moderate residual sweetness and refreshing acidity. It belongs to the quality wine category (Qualitätswein).

The elegance and minerality of a white wine from Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

The estate

Founded in 1797 by Jean-Jacques Koch following the acquisition of land confiscated during the French Revolution, the Egon Muller estate is a true winemaking legend. Located in Wiltingen, at the heart of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region, the estate is now run by Egon Müller IV, representing the sixth generation. A member of the prestigious Primum Familiae Vini association, the estate is renowned for its philosophy of minimal cellar intervention and absolute respect for the terroir. It produces white wines of remarkable longevity and complexity, ranked among the most sought-after in the world.

The vineyard

The grapes for the "Scharzhof" cuvée come from plots located around the village of Wiltingen, in the Saar sector, an area renowned for its cool climate and constant winds. The exceptional Scharzhofberg terroir is characterised by steep slopes facing south and south-east. The soils, particularly poor in nutrients, are composed of 70% grey and reddish slate rich in iron. Remarkably, the estate is home to ungrafted vines planted at the end of the 19th century, which miraculously survived phylloxera. The vineyard is maintained without any herbicides, favouring mechanical soil work.

The vintage

2022 was marked by a particularly hot and dry summer, resulting in a record water deficit in the region. Despite these extreme weather conditions, the old, deeply rooted vines showed remarkable resilience. Harvest, which began in mid-October, produced berries of excellent ripeness and optimal health.

Winemaking and ageing

To produce this Riesling "Scharzhof" 2022, the harvest is carried out exclusively by hand. Once in the cellar, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed or lightly crushed. The must is then left to settle for around 24 hours before undergoing spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. This process takes place very slowly in cool cellars kept at 10°C, stopping naturally to preserve residual sweetness. Ageing takes place in traditional 1,000-litre oak casks or in stainless steel tanks. The wine is bottled early, after light filtration, to preserve all its freshness.

Grape variety

This wine is made exclusively from Riesling.