2022 Max Ferdinand Richter Wines
Traditionally some of the first wines we receive from each new German vintage release are the wines of Max Ferdinand Richter. We eagerly await these wines as they are always great barometers of the quality of the vintage. I am happy to report that the wines of Max Ferdinand Richter are once again great—and with critical scores from both Mosel Fine Wines and the Wine Advocate, the critics agree. Even more importantly, these are some of the most economical offerings around. We have a wonderful selection that goes from Kabinett all the way to Auslese.
One of the strengths of the Richter lineup is their Kabinett. With the 2022s, they have a fantastic quartet that explores some of the most important vineyard sites in the Mosel. The 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett Mosel $23.99 WA93 MFW92 comes from 40-50-year-old vines and showcases amazing purity and delicious fruit flavors. From even older vines averaging 80-90 years in age, the 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Mosel $24.99 WA93 MFW91 has crystalline acidity and notes of stone and fresh fruit. A bottle from a lesser-known vineyard that deserves your attention is the 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberger Riesling Kabinett Mosel $24.99 WA93 MFW91, which comes from 50-year-old vines. The wine displays almond flavors with crisp acidity and wonderful concentration. The last of our quartet is the reliably great 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett Mosel $24.99 WA94 MFW93+ coming from 80-100-year-old vines. The wine displays gorgeous citrus notes, pear, and spice with perfect acidity and impressive complexity—this is a winner. I advise buying at least one of each and go on a vineyard tour of sorts of the Mosel Valley!
As we climb the sweetness ladder a bit, we have three tremendous Spätleses and one killer Auslese from Max Ferdinand Richter. I absolutely love the threesome of Spätlese here, and we start off with a real winner—the 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberger Riesling Spätlese Mosel $29.99 WA94 MFW92+. It is just spectacular with crushed stone, pear, and subtle spice flavors. This stellar Spätlese is a great rendition in 2022. Our second Spätlese is the 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel $32.99 WA94 MFW93+, a juicy, full-bodied white loaded with orchard fruit notes as well as zesty citrus flavors that combine to make this an absolute rockstar Spätlese. The last of our three fantastic Spätleses is the 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese Mosel $32.99 WA95 MFW93, which is always the most popular and critically acclaimed of the vineyard sites. Once again in 2022 is the darling of critics. Loaded with fruit and mouthwateringly great, this perfectly packaged Spätlese is a delight for all of your senses. We finish off with our lone Auslese offering the 2022 Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Mosel $44.99 WA96 MFW93. This is a killer bargain for an Auslese of this quality with delineated orchard fruit notes, perfect acidity and a wealth of complexity. Definitely an Auslese worth owning.
The wines of Max Ferdinand Richter are some of the best values we carry in Germany and this lineup of excellent 2022s deserves your attention and you’ll be handsomely rewarded with any purchase you make.