Weingut Hees Off-Dry Riesling Auener Romerstich 2023

This Riesling Spätlese from Weingut Hees seamlessly unites juicy fruit purity, refined minerality, and artisanal craft. Its creamy texture and vibrant freshness are hallmarks of both the estate’s progressive approach and Nahe’s exceptional terroir, making it a rewarding and versatile choice for sweet and off-dry white wine lovers.

Taste
The 2023 Spätlese from the Römerstich vineyard opens with a light yellow hue and a vibrant bouquet of peach, citrus, orange blossom, and subtle spices. The palate is juicy and refined, with notes of nectarine, citrus, and kiwi underscored by a well-integrated, elegant acidity. Its texture is creamy yet fresh, finishing with smooth minerality, spices, and hints of brackish salt, making it as versatile with food as it is delightful on its own.

A note on the Spatlese style
Spätlese is a German wine term meaning “late harvest,” and it refers to wines made from fully ripe grapes that are picked later in the harvest season than those for standard dry wines. This extra time on the vine allows the grapes to develop greater natural sweetness, intensity, and aromatic complexity. While Spätlese wines can range from off-dry to sweet, they are known for combining lush fruit flavors and floral aromas with refreshing acidity and elegance, making them versatile both as aperitifs and with a wide range of foods.

Producer
Weingut Hees, situated in the scenic Nahe region’s village of Auen, is managed by Marcus Hees - the ninth generation in the family legacy that began in 1824. After reviving steep, forgotten vineyards in the early 2000s, Marcus established a “less is more” philosophy, emphasizing low yields, late hand-harvesting, and spontaneous fermentations. The result is precise, mineral-driven wines that reflect a deep respect for tradition and terroir, now grown across 11 hectares of prized parcels including the legendary Römerstich.

Awards and Scores: 
From James Suckling who gave 95pts to the Romerstich Riesling Spatlese 2023: "Very creamy and succulent with a fabulously silky texture, this is the kind of riesling Spatlese you want to sink into and forget all your worries. For that you must accept the wine’s frank grape sweetness, but this is already beautifully integrated on the medium bodied palate. Stacks of ripe star fruit, fresh pineapple and a hint of durian, plus delicate spicy notes. And if you do sink into it, then slowly but surely you will feel the remarkable structure that underlies all the richness. Drink or hold."