In Brauneberg, Thomas Haag’s Weingut Schloss Lieser farms the Brauneberger Juffer, a precipitous south-facing slope reaching gradients of up to 80 percent on weathered grey and blue Devonian slate. Facing due south, the parcels benefit from intense solar radiation while the austere slate retains heat and offers the vines only limited water. Compared with the Graacher Himmelreich, the Juffer often feels slightly more linear and finely chiselled, whereas next to the more powerful Niederberg Helden it highlights a more filigree, succulent side. The Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett 2025 marries this terroir with the weightless charm of a classic Kabinett. On the nose, citrus, white peach, and bright yellow fruit are joined by delicate slate spice. On the palate, the Riesling is wonderfully juicy and light on its feet, combining pure fruit, vibrant acidity, and finely integrated sweetness. Its mineral frame imparts tension without weight, leading into a fresh, precise finish.

Along the Mosel, the 2025 vintage yielded ripe, aromatically concentrated Rieslings that preserved their natural freshness. In the Juffer, this union is particularly compelling, as ripe fruit is carried by lively acidity and the mineral stamp of weathered Devonian slate.

Its strength lies not in sheer power, but in finesse and effortless drinkability. While the Kabinett already showcases all its nimble charm in youth, its balance of acidity, fruit sweetness, and mineral structure holds ample tension to grow ever finer and more nuanced with bottle age.