Riesling Altenberg Spätlese

The Spätlese from the Altenberg shows what the Saar can do: precise fruit, lively acidity, and a sweetness that never feels heavy.

Von Othegraven is one of the most traditional wineries on the Saar. The Kanzemer Altenberg site – steep, slate-dominated subsoil, extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night – provides Riesling with the characteristic Saar tension: delicate, mineral, long-lived. The winery has been part of the von Heyl family since 2010 and is managed with a clear focus on steep-slope Rieslings.

In the glass, ripe yellow peach and apricot appear, plus dried mango and a hint of honey in the background. The acidity is firm but not edgy – it carries the residual sweetness without the wine ever feeling sticky. The finish is long, with a fine slate note that provides depth.

• Food: Asian cuisine with ginger and coriander, blue cheese, apple pie with crème fraîche, or lightly spiced duck
• Temperature: 8–10 °C