Weingut Hermann Ludes 'Thörnicher Ritsch' Riesling Spätlese, Mosel, Germany

The Mosel is full of legendary vineyards, but Thörnicher Ritsch stands apart, both for its breathtakingly steep, terraced slopes and for the wines it produces: linear, electric, and unapologetically old-school. At Weingut Hermann Ludes, this tradition of fiercely structured Mosel Riesling is alive and well, thanks to Julian Ludes and his uncle, Hermann. Their 2023 ‘Thörnicher Ritsch’ Riesling Spätlese is a wine built for the long haul, crackling with acidity, shaped by the raw power of its site, and carrying that signature tension that only great Mosel Rieslings achieve. Fermented naturally in stainless steel, this sustainably farmed, hand-harvested Spätlese is an unfiltered snapshot of the Ritsch vineyard at its most thrilling.

Product Details:

• Vineyard: Thörnicher Ritsch (Grand Cru site)
• Variety: 100% Riesling
• Farming: Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested estate fruit
• Vinification: Indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel; unfined, unfiltered
• Average Vine Age: 30 years
• Residual Sugar: 75 g/L
• Alcohol: 9% ABV

Sensory Description:

This Riesling is a study in contrast, both opulent and severe. Aromas of whipped cream, pineapple, and coconut are cut by smoky minerality and a hint of fresh herbs. On the palate, ripe peach, white pear, and honeyed apple meet an electrifying backbone of acidity. There’s an almost fizzy texture, an interplay of sweetness and tension, and a finish that stretches endlessly, leaving behind crushed slate, spice, and citrus zest. Jessica Barrand, our resident Riesling fanatic, describes it as “an acid-lover’s dream, steely, structured, and intensely pure.”

Winemaker’s Background:

Weingut Hermann Ludes is a true insider’s estate, a name whispered among Mosel purists who crave wines that are raw, tensile, and deeply traditional. The Ludes family has been farming in Thörnich for generations, and Julian Ludes, alongside his uncle Hermann, continues to produce uncompromising Rieslings in a style that has all but disappeared from the modern Mosel. Their commitment is absolute: if the fruit doesn’t meet their standards, they simply sell it off in bulk. The estate is the largest single owner of the Ritsch Grand Cru, tending to ungrafted old vines on impossibly steep slopes. Every detail, from their minimal intervention winemaking to their early adoption of screw caps (long before the Mosel embraced them), reflects their singular focus on clarity, precision, and longevity.

Serving Suggestions:

This Spätlese is built for cellaring, if you can resist it now. Given time, it will evolve into something even more profound, its structure softening, its mineral core deepening. If drinking young, serve well-chilled (around 45°F) and pair with spicy Thai cuisine, rich cheeses, or salty cured meats to complement its balance of sweetness and acidity. Or just sip it slowly on its own, because wines like this deserve your full attention.