Fritz Haag

“The historic Fritz Haag wine estate is located in the heart of the central Mosel River Valley. The earliest documentation of the estate dates back to 1605. At that time, the village in which it is situated was known as ‘Dusemond.’ In 1925, this village was renamed ‘Brauneberg’ (‘brown mountain,’ a reference to the color of the slate soil in this area of the Mosel) in an endeavour to further promote the reputation of its world-renowned vineyards ‘Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr’ and ‘Brauneberg Juffer.’

The name of the famous vineyards ‘Juffer,’ which translates as ‘old maid’ or ‘virgin’ in the local dialect, goes back to 1790. The proprietor of these exceptional vineyard slopes at the time, the aristocratic Kurpfälzische Kammerherr Wunderlich, had three daughters who all remained unmarried and lived the lives of spinsters. As a consequence, when they took over the vineyard management from their father, the name ‘Brauneberger Juffer’ was born and the wines soon became well-known and famed in the wine world. The vineyards are recognised as true pearls of the Mosel region and were treasured even by Napoleon.

For many years, the Fritz Haag wine estate was successfully headed by the endlessly energetic Wilhelm Haag, and achieved, under his guidance a world-renowned reputation. Wilhelm Haag was the first to win the acclaim ‘winemaker of the year,’ a highly coveted accolade introduced in 1994 by the famous Gault Millau Wineguide. Since 2005, son Oliver has taken over the reins and has joined his successful father in leading the estate into the future.

The Fritz Haag estate owns 18.5ha of vineyards which are all exclusively planted with Riesling. The excellent micro-climate and the deep slate soils of the Brauneberger Juffer slope form the basis for some of the most intensely flavored and elegantly-structured Riesling wines of the Mosel region. Oliver Haag, the current proprietor, rigorously selects the clones most suited to the microclimate of his vineyards in order to achieve the maximum potential in the grapes. As a winemaker, Oliver’s skills are matched by few. His wines, which display a pleasing subtle colour, show a well-defined palate that reaches from honeysuckle to pears and apples. They are laced with citrus and underlying mineral tones, reflecting the brown slate vineyards of Brauneberg.

The Fritz Haag estate produces wines that cover the full style spectrum, starting from a dry style and ranging to lusciously sweet. A mineral ‘slate’ character and a pronounced and fruity acidity give the wines their elegant sophistication and their great aging potential. The estate’s graceful, well-refined Rieslings are rated as impressive examples of the finest wines the Mosel region has to offer.

PORTFOLIO OF SITES | VDP.GROSSE LAGE®

Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr
The crown jewel of the Brauneberg vineyards is the Juffer- Sonnenuhr, whose 10.5 hectares are surrounded by the Juffer. These extremely steep vineyards, surrounded by cliffs, are lined with shallow vertical troughs that create a large concave mirror effect, storing the sun’s warmth as it strikes from every angle. Together with the extremely poor slate soil of the Brauneberg, they form a unique, sheltered microclimate that promotes elegant and ultra-fine Rieslings of notable minerality and international renown.

Brauneberger Juffer
The 32-hectare Brauneberger Juffer lies on the opposite bank of the Mosel from our town and is planted to Riesling. Its loose, weathered blue Devonian slate soil contains veins of iron oxide that give individual layers of the stone a light brown hue. This composition is more than just the source of the “Brauneberg”name; it also lends this unique terroir its typical characteristics. These steep vineyards, with gradients reaching up to 80%, give rise to delicate, finely fruity, and mineral wines.

Kestener Paulinshofberg
The Paulinshofberg site is the south-facing neighbor to the Juffer. Its soil runs somewhat deeper, with portions of fine clayey slate. The wine from this site radiates with minimalist precision, casting a web of cool minerality, red fruit and gentle herbal spice.

Monzeler Kätzchen
The old heart of the site holds a few classified parcels above the Paulinshofberg. Our old vines in the site‘s finest lots are rooted deep in finely textured, stony slate soils, creating a highly elegant and mineral wine with aromas of yellow fruit underscored by floral nuances.

Wine Notes and Reviews

2022 Vintage

2022 proved a logic-defying vintage: Despite being born out of the hottest and driest summer ever, most of the resulting wines proved anything but from a hot vintage. They prove playful, light-footed, elegant, and very approachable. And still today, a few months on, the wines have kept their promise with just a touch of roundness sometimes coming through. Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 69, March 2024.

'The 2022 Fritz Haag collection will put an immense smile on lovers of the unique style of the Estate made of subtlety, elegance, finesse, and some freshness. All wines are superbly clear and packed with flavors (especially yellow fruits). The GGs are among the finest of the Estate’s history and in particular, the lesser-known Kätzchen proved almost beyond belief. In the fruity-styled and sweet portfolio, the Juffer-Sonnenuhr seems to have the edge over the Juffer in 2022, but not by much as shown by the otherworldly Juffer Auslese GK. The Juffer-Sonnenuhr Spätlese and Auslese have this stunning succulence and delicacy which we love so much at this Estate. Even the Estate wines are stunning. What a great success! Finally, the 2021 BAs and TBAs are already now part of the Mosel legend and among the finest we have ever tasted.' Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

2022 Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Grosses Lage Feinherb
This off-dry single vineyard wine is given some skin contact before natural yeast fermentation in varying proportions of 1000 L oak barrels and stainless steel.
12.0 % alc/vol, 8.1 g/L TA, 11.5 g/L RS.

'Deep and succulent, ripe and cool, mineral, herbal and floral. Stunning concentration and elegance on the precisely contoured medium-bodied palate. The ripeness and slatey freshness are exactly matched at the very elegant finish. Drink or hold.' 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Brauneberger Juffer Riesling, as it is referred to on the consumer label, is an off-dry wine (with 12 g/l of residual sugar) with a beautiful nose made of blackberry, cassis, citrusy elements, whipped cream, and smoke. The wine proves deep and yet remarkably focused on the dry tasting palate and leaves a nicely fruity and spicy feel in the long finish. The aftertaste is superbly airy and alluring. 2027-2042.' 92 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Monzeler Kätzchen Grosses Gewächs Trocken 2022
The old heart of the site holds a few classified parcels above the Paulinshofberg. Our old vines in the site‘s finest lots are rooted deep in finely textured, stony slate soils, creating a highly elegant and mineral wine with aromas of yellow fruit underscored by floral nuances.
12.5 % alc/vol, 7.6 g/L TA, 4.6 g/L RS.

'Wonderfully spicy and ethereal nose with plenty of white tree fruit aromas. Good substance and well-integrated structure on the medium-bodied palate. The spring-like freshness keeps this light on its feet through the long elegant finish. Drink or hold.' 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Kätzchen Riesling Trocken GG, as it is referred to on the consumer label, comes from parcels planted with old vines situated in the steep and full-south-facing part of this vineyard situated just above the classical part of the Kestener Paulinshofberger. This cask sample offers a superb nose made of grapefruit puree, whipped cream, minerals, spices, and herbs. The wine offers a stunning feel of freshness and precision on the tart and spicy palate and leaves a glorious sensation of fresh fruits and herbal elements in the finish. A spicy side runs through the aftertaste and adds intensity to the grandiose feeling. This is a stunning expression of Mosel GG elegance in the making. 2027-2042.' (93-96) points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Kestener Paulinshofberg Grosses Gewächs Trocken 2022
The Paulinshofberg site is the south-facing neighbor to the Juffer. Its soil runs somewhat deeper, with portions of fine clayey slate. The wine from this site radiates with minimalist precision, casting a web of cool minerality, red fruit and gentle herbal spice.
12.5 % alc/vol, 7.7 g/L TA, 4.3 g/L RS.

'Wonderfully spicy and ethereal nose with plenty of white tree fruit aromas. Good substance and well-integrated structure on the medium-bodied palate. The spring-like freshness keeps this light on its feet through the long elegant finish. Drink or hold.' 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Paulinshofberger Riesling Trocken GG, as it is referred to on the front label, is a bone-dry wine which was fermented and aged in Fuder and stainless-steel tanks from vines located just under the Monzeler Kätzchen and at the right-hand side of the rocky part of the vineyard. It offers an intense nose of anise, minty herbs, smoke, Conference pear, candied grapefruit, and earthy spices. The wine is beautifully playful and juicy on the finely juicy and fruity palate. The finish is still marked by a touch of tartness in need of integration and proves slightly broader and powerful. This is a very impressive dry Riesling in the making. 2025-2034.' 92 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Grosses Gewächs Trocken 2022
The 32-hectare Brauneberger Juffer lies on the opposite bank of the Mosel from our town and is planted to Riesling. Its loose, weathered blue Devonian slate soil contains veins of iron oxide that give individual layers of the stone a light brown hue. This composition is more than just the source of the “Brauneberg”name; it also lends this unique terroir its typical characteristics. These steep vineyards, with gradients reaching up to 80%, give rise to delicate, finely fruity, and mineral wines.
12.5 % alc/vol, 7.5 g/L TA, 3.5 g/L RS.

'Full crisp pear fruit with underlying earthy and herbal complexity that expands as this aerates in the glass. Very well structured for the 2022 vintage, fine tannins supporting the long, precise finish. Good aging potential, but already exciting. Drink or hold. Drink or hold.' 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Juffer Riesling Trocken GG, as it is referred to on the front label, is a bone-dry wine which was fermented and aged in a mix of stainless-steel tank, Fuder, and large oak barrel. It offers a beautifully aromatic and quite appealing nose of anise, grapefruit zest, smoke, spearmint, yellow flowers, fine spices, and jasmine. The wine proves quite focused and animating on the dynamic and taut palate. There is still a hint of tartness in need of integration, but the length is stunning. The aftertaste has a touch of fruity presence, which makes the wine come over as slightly broader and lighter, but hugely impressive. 2026-2037.' 94 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Grosses Gewächs Trocken 2022
The crown jewel of the Brauneberg vineyards is the Juffer- Sonnenuhr, whose 10.5 hectares are surrounded by the Juffer. These extremely steep vineyards, surrounded by cliffs, are lined with shallow vertical troughs that create a large concave mirror effect, storing the sun’s warmth as it strikes from every angle. Together with the extremely poor slate soil of the Brauneberg, they form a unique, sheltered microclimate that promotes elegant and ultra-fine Rieslings of notable minerality and international renown.
12.5 % alc/vol, 7.4 g/L TA, 2.8 g/L RS.

'At once deep and charming this remarkable Mosel GG marries honeysuckle, vanilla bean and fresh herbal aromas with impressive structure and racy acidity on the extremely focused, sleek palate. What an exciting brilliance this has at the long laser beam straight finish. Drink or hold.' 95 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Trocken GG, as it is referred to on the front label, is a bone-dry wine which was fermented and aged in a mix of stainless-steel tank, Fuder, and large oak barrel. It offers a beautifully complex and refined nose of yellow peach, smoke, anise, almond cream, spearmint, and a hint of apricot. The wine proves delicately juicy and creamy on the palate, and leaves a superbly animating fresher side in the long finish. The wine proves comparatively light-weighted, whereas the finish has a slightly more powerful side. This is a superbly impressive GG. 2026-2034.' 93 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Kabinett 2022 (screw cap)
This cuvee comes from the blue slate soils of the steep (75%) slope sites of Brauneberg. 8.0 % alc/vol; 8.7 g/L TA; 44.9 g/L RS.

'Wonderful nose of cassis and flint with floral and baking spice nuances. Very clean and racy with so much drive and energy on the sleek and focused palate. Fantastic wet stone freshness at the long, super-clean finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.' 93 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Juffer Riesling Kabinett, as it is referred to on the consumer label, was made from fruit picked at moderate Oechsle degrees and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar. It offers a subtly ample nose made of vineyard peach, mango, earthy spices, whipped cream, slate, and residual scents from its spontaneous fermentation. The wine is beautifully light-weighted and packed with whipped cream on the palate and leaves a subtly juicy and fruity feel in the long finish. The aftertaste is all about subtlety and elegance. 2032-2047.' 93 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Spatlese 2022
7.5 % alc/vol, 8.0 g/L TA, 73.5 g/L RS.

'Fascinating nose of vanilla bean, licorice, white peach and melon. Giant wet stone freshness that pushes the unfermented grape sweetness, inherent to this style, way into the background. Firm structure at the long, cool and subtly earthy finish. Drink or hold.' 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Juffer Riesling Spätlese, as it is referred to on the consumer label, is a sweet wine with a gorgeous nose made of vineyard peach, whipped cream, mango, bergamot, slate, and smoke. The wine develops a subtly opulent and delicately creamy feel of vineyard peach, apricot, cream, and finely spicy elements of a drinking Auslese on the palate but remains firmly Spätlese styled in the long and juicy finish. 2032-2052.' 92 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Spatlese 2022
7.5 % alc/vol, 8.3 g/L TA, 76.0 g/L RS.

'This has the floral and vanilla bean aromas we associate with this great site for riesling Spatlese wines. Wonderfully vibrant and slatey acidity. Excellent balance, the sweetness easily harmonized by the Amalfi lemon freshness at the very clean, long finish. Drink or hold.' 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, as it is referred to on the consumer label, is a sweet wine with a beautiful nose of blackberry, whipped cream, a hint of apricot, floral elements, and smoke. The wine proves superbly playful, precise, fresh, and engaging on the beautifully zesty-fruity and nicely intense palate and leaves a glorious feel of fresh herbs and fine fruity elements in the long finish. The sense of freshness, precision, and elegance are those of a Fritz Haag Spätlese from the finest vintages. What a great success! 2032-2052.' 
95 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Auslese 2022
7.5 % alc/vol, 7.5 g/L TA, 98.0 g/L RS.

'Exotic fruits and flowers, but also a lot of baking spice on the expansive yet delicate nose. Full caramelized peach and pineapple character on the generous palate. Excellent balance on the long creamy finish where there is just a hint of floral honey, yet the composition remains cool. Drink or hold.' 94 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Juffer Riesling Auslese, as it is referred to on the consumer label, is a sweet wine with an initially quite restrained yet beautiful nose made of whipped cream, pear, vineyard peach, elderflower, mint, and smoke. The wine develops a nice touch of canned yellow peach, apple, peach, and whipped cream on the animating palate and leaves a clear and pure feel in the finish. A touch of sweetness still needs to melt away in the aftertaste but nothing what a decade of bottle aging will not master. This is a beautiful and especially very pure and transparent expression of Mosel Auslese. 2032-2052.' 93 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese 2022
7.5% alc/vol, 7.8 g/L TA, 97.0 g/L RS.

'Super-floral and super-fine with a mountain stream freshness balancing the delicately tropical fruit, the floral honey sweetness underlying all this beautifully. Very long filigree finish with so much spicy subtlety. Very good aging potential. Drink or hold.' 95 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, August 2023.

'The 2022er Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, as it is referred to on the consumer label, is a sweet wine with a beautiful nose made of whipped cream, vineyard peach, apricot, blackberry, and spices. The wine is gorgeously juicy and fruity on the palate and leaves a gorgeously juicy and creamy feel in the finish. A subtle touch of zest adds cut and structure to the aftertaste. What stands out, as so often with the great Fritz Haag wines, is this ethereal sense of balance and finesse. This is a textbook Auslese! 2032-2052.' 95 points, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines, Issue 67, September 2023.

2021 Vintage

‘Oliver Haag and his team have crafted a lovely set of 2021ers, with the Grosses Gewächs bottling in particular standing out for their precise and multi-faceted beauty. I had tasted the 2021 Kabinetten from this estate back in October, as a few of the winery’s new releases made an earlier container, so I was very much looking forward to sampling through many of the remaining wines in the lineup at Weingut Fritz Haag when a second tranche arrived here in the US. The Spätlesen and Auslesen that I tasted for this second report on the vintage were lovely wine and exactly what might expect from the confluence of a very good, old school vintage and a great middle Mosel estate at the top of its game.’ John Gilman, View from the cellar, April 2023.

2021 Fritz Haag Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese 375ml only - last bottles
This wine has 87.0 g/l RS and 10.4 g/l TA, 7.5% alc.
‘Smelling the nose of this wine is like walking into a room filled with vases of white flowers. Breathtaking concentration and purity of flavor on the incredibly precise palate. Normally a riesling Auslese is frankly sweet, but this aspect of the wine has been hidden, its sweetness at the back of the bottom drawer and forthrightly displays all its mineral beauty. Limited production. Drink or hold.’ 96 points, Stuart Pigott, JS Wine Ratings, September 2022.

‘The 2021 Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese from Weingut Fritz Haag is another lovely example of the vintage. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a complex blend of white cherry, yellow plum, lime blossoms, mint, slate, honeycomb and violets. On the palate the wine is bright, fullish and complex, with a beautiful girdle of acidity, fine depth at the core, lovely mineral undertow, precise focus and a long, complex and seamlessly balanced finish. This is just a touch more reserved out of the blocks than the 2021 Juffer Auslese, so I would opt for letting it relax a bit in the cellar for the next four to five years before opening a bottle, just to let it really start to fire on all cylinders. Its technical data is 7.5 percent alcohol, eighty-seven grams of sugar and 10.4 grams of acid. Fine, fine juice. 2028-2085.’ 94 points, John Gilman, viewfromthecellar.com, April 2023.

2018 Vintage Report From Fritz Haag

‘Oliver Haag has made an absolutely brilliant set of wines in 2018 and this may well be the single finest vintage collection of young wines I have ever tasted from this iconic estate in Brauneberg. It is a flat out brilliant vintage for Weingut Fritz Haag; these are amongst Germany’s very greatest examples of the 2018 vintage.’ John Gilman, View From The Cellar, October 2019.

‘The 2018 vintage will be remembered for one thing above all else: sun! Our vines enjoyed around 100 extra hours of sunshine last year, even compared with grand vintages such as 2015. This came because the nearly picture-perfect spring was followed by an exceptionally dry summer. Fortunately, just as things were starting to get a bit parched in the vineyards, Brauneberg sustained two days of rain, dropping around 80 litres of water total [80mm of rain, Ed.]. As soon as the storm passed we had our hands full limiting erosion of the soil. Yet for the vines it was certainly a welcome break from the extreme summer heat. What a vintage!

Even in a year with such ideal conditions, we are perpetually chasing the elusive moment of ripeness. This autumn, like all others, saw us spare no effort in the meticulous and individual selection of our fruit. At least the pace was blissfully unhurried, on account of the excellent weather forecast. As a result, the overall health of the harvested grapes seems likely to become the stuff of legends.

The 2018s are already showing beautifully: phenomenal balance, playful expression, elegance and above all else a delightful drinkability. As you await the debut of the incredible Grosses Gewächs and noble sweet wines, take the opportunity to enjoy one of our refreshing Rieslings, such as the racy Juffer Kabinett or our irresistible Spätlese. Or, of course, there's always the option to treat yourself to a delicious mature vintage. We are very proud of the quality of the Rieslings currently resting in our cellars and hope you will be too!’

2018 Riesling Braunerberger Tradition (Feinherb)
This cuvee comes from the blue slate soils of the steep (75%) slope sites of Brauneberg. Short skin contact with gentle pressing then ageing 5 months on lees yielded this wine with 14.0 g/l RS and 7.5 g/l TA 12.0% alc.

‘It offers a beautiful and delicately ample nose of white peach, pear, white flowers, whipped sour cream and minty elements. The wine is beautifully playful and elegant on the creamy yet delicately racy palate. The finish is superbly tart and persistent. This is a great effort with the depth of a top-end dry Riesling.’ 92 points, Mosel Fine Wines, August 2019.

‘Highly refined, fresh and well-articulated in its crunchy, flinty slate perfume. Lush and salty-piquant on the silky-textured palate, this is a light to medium-bodied, firmly structured but filigreed and delicate Brauneberger with a long, stimulatingly fresh finish.’ (90-92) points, Stephan Rheinhardt, The Wine Advocate, June 2019.

‘As I mentioned last spring, the Riesling “Tradition” bottling falls between Kabinett and Spätlese in must weight and was around fifteen grams per liter of residual sugar. The wine was lovely as a sample just before bottling last March and is still quite lovely a fifteen months later. It offers up a fine nose of lime, gooseberry, orange peel, slate, a nice touch of Brauneberg botanicals and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is bright, fullish and complex, with a lovely core, fine mineral drive and bounce and a long, complex and very nicely balanced finish. My only complaint post-bottling is that the backend textural sophistication it showed out of cask has been lost a bit with the screwcap, but that is the nature of the closure. Now, it is just a bit pinched compared to last spring, but all in all, this remains a beautifully made wine and a fine value. I know this is “just” an entry level bottling, but it is a shame it did not receive a natural cork, as absolutely nothing then would have been sacrificed to its closure. 2020-2040. 91.’ John Gilman, View from the Cellar, August 2020.

2018 Riesling Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Auslese 375ml
This cuvee comes from the heart of the Brauneberger blue slate soils of the steep (73%). This wine has 104.0 g/l RS and 7.8 g/l TA 7.5% alc.

‘A beautiful nose made of star-fruit, white peach, pear, greengage, whipped cream and grapefruit, all wrapped into smoke and green herbs. The wine proves delicately creamy and superbly multi-layered on the palate. A gorgeous touch of ripe zest brings focus and playfulness to the long and refined finish. The racy side takes the upper hand in the incredibly engaging after-taste. What a beautiful Auslese!’ 95 points, Mosel Fine Wines, August 2019.

‘The 2018 Juffer-Sonnenuhr Auslese is one of my absolutely favorite wines in the cellar this year, as again, there is no botrytis here and the wine is a legend in the making. The brilliant bouquet soars from the glass in a blaze of lime, pear, violets, a hint of the yellow plum to come, salty soil tones, honeycomb and a vibrant top-note of citrus zest. On the palate the wine is pure, refined and fullish in profile, with a creamy core of fruit, excellent acidity and grip and a very long, very precise and beautifully mineral-driven finish. This is stunning juice!’ 95+ points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar, October 2019.