Selbach-Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2005
Winery
Just downstream from Bernkastel, in the very heart of the Middle Mosel lies the village of Zeltingen. It is along this stretch of river that Johannes Selbach’s family has owned vineyards since the 17th century. Arguably the finest stretch of vineyards in the Mosel, if not all of Germany, they rise in almost sheer fashion from the river, forming an ideal, south-west facing wall of vines. From Zeltingen, through Wehlen, as far as Graach, old, ungrafted vines are planted on a sharp bank of heat-retaining, mineral-rich, dark brown slate soils and are afforded the best exposure possible (‘Sonnenuhr’ aptly means ‘sundial’).
Vineyard : Somewhere
Mosel Valley
This, the German stretch of the Mosel River, meanders for 195 kms from Trier, cutting through the Hunsrück and Eifel mountains in a series of spectacular loops until it reaches Koblenz, where it flows into the River Rhine. The vineyards are cut in terraces into the steep valley sides raising the vines up towards the sun. The water of the Mosel River moderates (warms) the ambient temperature and the slatey soil saves the heat of the sun and radiates it back at night. Without this combination of soil type, aspect and geography (terroir) the growing of grapes would be impossible at such a northerly altitude. Each vineyard expresses its own, unique terroir, but all possess the earthy, mineral, razor-sharp characteristics that are unique to the Mosel.