Max Ferd. Richter Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling Zeppelin 2018

In the Zeppelin’s heyday of the 1920s and ’30s, Mülheimer Sonnenlay Riesling was the wine most often poured on grand transatlantic flights. The prestigious southwest facing slopes that lend the wine its name are the largest holdings in the Max Ferd. Richter estate. Sonnen means sunshine and lay is old German for slate. It’s a perfect combination that gives the wine zesty apple and peach flavours and a concentrated mineral structure. The wines form part of Queen Elizabeth’s cellars and have been served at state occasions over the years. Hugh Johnson describes the weingut as “an extremely consistent producer of classic Mosel Rieslings”. This brilliant 2018 is a taut high wire act of beautiful, well ripened fruit and cleansing acidity.