2023 Fritz Haag Juffer Riesling Feinherb

The 2023 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Feinherb is a beautifully poised off-dry Riesling from one of the Mosel’s most celebrated vineyards and one of Germany’s benchmark producers. Crafted by Weingut Fritz Haag, this wine comes from the legendary Brauneberger Juffer vineyard, where steep blue Devonian slate slopes produce Rieslings of extraordinary elegance, purity and longevity. Feinherb indicates a gently off-dry style, offering just enough residual sweetness to enhance the fruit while remaining beautifully fresh and vibrant. The outstanding 2023 vintage has delivered exceptional balance, crystalline fruit and remarkable mineral precision, earning 94 points from James Suckling.

The nose is intensely aromatic and beautifully expressive, revealing aromas of white peach, crisp pear and ripe apple layered with lime blossom, citrus zest and delicate white flowers. As the wine opens, notes of candied grapefruit, fresh herbs and wet slate emerge, complemented by hints of orchard blossom and subtle smoky minerality. The aromatic profile is remarkably pure and lifted, balancing vibrant stone fruit with the unmistakable slate-driven freshness of the Brauneberger Juffer vineyard.

On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied with vibrant natural acidity and a beautifully judged touch of residual sweetness. Layers of white peach, pear, lemon and crisp orchard fruits unfold effortlessly across the palate, supported by a finely etched slate mineral backbone that gives the wine tremendous energy and precision. The Feinherb style offers a little more texture and generosity than a classic Kabinett while remaining wonderfully fresh and dry in impression. The finish is long, clean and mouthwatering, carrying lingering notes of citrus peel, white stone fruits, wet slate and delicate floral perfume. The style is elegant, refreshing and effortlessly balanced, making it one of the most versatile expressions of Mosel Riesling. Critics have praised the 2023 for its lively acidity, juicy fruit, stony finish and outstanding drinkability.

Ben’s Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is one of the finest value off-dry Rieslings from the Mosel and an outstanding introduction to the Feinherb style. Compared to the Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett, the Feinherb offers slightly less sweetness, a broader mid-palate and greater versatility with food while retaining the same elegance, purity and slate-driven minerality. It’s a superb choice for lovers of dry Riesling who appreciate just a whisper of residual sugar to enhance fruit expression, and it will appeal equally to fans of Chablis, Chenin Blanc and cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now for its youthful brilliance or cellar confidently through to 2040–2045, where it will develop beautiful notes of honey, beeswax and dried citrus. Perfect with oysters, sashimi, spicy Thai cuisine, roast pork, Vietnamese dishes, fresh goat’s cheese or simply enjoyed on its own as one of Germany’s most captivating Rieslings.