January 2, 2017 | News | Wines of the Month

Weingut Selbach-Oster | Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese * 2015 | Label

2015er Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese *

The sweet spot of the 2015 vintage was Spätlese and Auslese and Weingut Selbach-Oster made the most it, among others with a stunning Spätlese *! Here is the story.

2015 Mosel Vintage | Land of Plenty

Few vintages have been as hyped as 2015 and there is some truth in it. 2015 yielded some stunning wines, and this in all stylistic directions.

But not everything that shines is gold. At its heart, 2015 is a ripe vintage, pepped up by glorious zest, with many wines on the powerful side. Only the very best wines will turn into classics in a decade or two.

The sweet-spot of the vintage was clearly Spätlese and Auslese. Weingut Selbach-Oster made the most of it, among others with a stunning 2015er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese *.

Weingut Selbach-Oster | Grand Riesling Pleasure

The Weingut Selbach-Oster is one of these classic Estates beyond the shores of the VDP which has developed a devoted following on the back of its gorgeous Riesling packed with flavors. In fact, its wines prove so incredibly easy to enjoy when young that one could be forgiven for not seeing the depth and complexity they reach as they mature.

Lately, the Estate started to impress through gorgeous dry and off-dry Riesling as well. For instance, its 2012er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr “Ur”-Alte Reben was a wine of the month back in 2014 and its 2014er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese Trocken one of the dry Riesling highlights of the 2014 vintage.

Weingut Selbach-Oster | Picture of the Estate

In 2015, Johannes Selbach played along the vintage, which meant Spätlese and many Auslese! “The sweet spot of the vintage was the Spätlese and Auslese fruit. When nature hands you such a gift on a plate, you have to take it. So, against the current mantra, I decided to produce many Auslese wines made from fruit harvested directly from the vine without selections, which means that the sugar levels remain moderate. I may not sell out on all of them immediately. One day my children will thank me for this decision and having these gems for sale. These will make great wines to enjoy at maturity!”

Weingut Selbach-Oster | 2015er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese *

One of the high points of the 2015 collection by Selbach-Oster was its Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese *. A “Spätlese *”? Isn’t that an “Auslese”? We remember how Johannes Selbach smiled when we put this question to him many few years back: “You may think so indeed but, actually, it is not. At our Estate, a Spätlese * is the modern version of the former feine Spätlese. In great vintages, we bottle the best part of the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese separately when it proves much more refined in taste. This was the case in 2015.” In some ways, the Spätlese * is therefore the Selbach-Oster counterpart to the auction Spätlese at VDP Mosel or Bernkasteler Ring Estates.

Weingut Selbach-Oster | Zeltinger Sonnenuhr | Vineyard Picture

The 2015er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese * comes from very old vines in the central part of the vineyard and was fermented with ambient yeasts in stainless steel. The wine is absolutely brilliant. It combines freshness with stunning depth and elegance. This is already quite captivating now but is really made for shining in a big decade.

Should this Spätlese * not be available in your neck of the world, despair not. Maybe some of the seven Auslese that the estate produced this year are. They are hugely juicy and offer terrific value: Selbach-Oster did bring out the juicy side of the vintage like few others.

The captivating 2015 collection of Selbach-Oster was reviewed in Mosel Fine Wines Issue No 32 (Oct 2016).
You are a subscriber and miss this Issue? Simply send us a request by email and we will be happy to send you a copy.
You are not yet a subscriber and wish to get this Issue? Subscribe free of charge by registering yourself here below and ask us for a copy by email.

Tasting Note | Extract from Mosel Fine Wines Issue No 32 (Oct 2016)

2015er

Selbach-Oster

Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese *

16 16

94

This wine immediately captures one’s through stunningly gorgeous scents of candied grapefruit, a hint of pineapple and lots of flowers. These are joined by some smoke and minerals to remind one that this Spätlese is all about Mosel. The wine is superbly gorgeous and playful on the palate and leaves a clean and elegant feel in the long and persistent finish. This is a dead gorgeous effort which will only needs a bit of time to integrate its aromatics and zesty structure! 2025-2040

Get Mosel Fine Wines