Max Ferd. Richter Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Zeppelin 2023

In the Zeppelin’s heyday of the 1920s and ‘30s, Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling was the wine most often poured on grand transatlantic flights. Its prestigious southwest-facing slopes, the largest holdings in the Max Ferd. Richter estate, are aptly named for Sonnen (meaning sunshine) and Lay (old German for slate). It’s the perfect combination, imparting zesty apple and peach flavours with a concentrated mineral structure. These wines were included in the late Queen Elizabeth’s cellars and featured at many state occasions over the years. Hugh Johnson describes the weingut (estate) as “an extremely consistent producer of classic Mosel Rieslings”. The brilliant 2023 is a taut high-wire act of beautiful ripe fruit and cleansing acidity. Ideal solo sipping.