Peter Lauer, Riesling Fass 16 - 2022

Peter Lauer is a historic family estate located in the village of Ayl, nestled in the Saar region of the Mosel Valley. Known for producing some of the finest Rieslings, the estate has become a symbol of elegance and purity. The Lauer family's winemaking tradition stretches back as far as 1830, and over the years ascended to the pinnacle of German winemaking.

Today the estate spans about 10 hectares of vineyards, primarily situated on the steep, slate-rich slopes of the Ayler Kupp, one of the Saar region's most celebrated vineyard sites. These vineyards are home to vines of up to 100 years old. They benefit from a unique microclimate and mineral-rich soils that shows through in their distinctive character, resulting in wines that are renowned for their freshness, complexity and superb aging potential.

Florian Lauer, who took over winemaking from his father Peter in 2005, continues the family’s legacy with a strong commitment to traditional methods. His winemaking philosophy is rooted in minimal intervention, allowing the natural expression of the terroir to come through. The wines are often fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, and aging takes place in large, old oak casks, which add texture and depth without overwhelming the delicate fruit and mineral notes.

Peter Lauer is particularly known for its diverse range of Rieslings, which are distinguished by the different vineyard sites and the Prädikat system. The estate produces a variety of styles, from trocken (in this case bone-dry) to lusciously sweet, with each wine reflecting the unique aspects of its origin. The flagship wines from the Ayler Kupp, such as “Faß 6 – Senior” and “Faß 18 – Kupp,” are especially revered for their precision, elegance and capacity to age for decades.

A distinctive feature of the Lauer wines is the use of the term "Faß," meaning "cask." Each cask number represents a specific wine, often from a particular vineyard plot, and denotes a distinct style or character. This practice underscores the estate’s dedication to highlighting the individuality of each wine and its terroir down to microlevel not many winemakers would be prepared to do.

The wines of Peter Lauer have received widespread acclaim from critics and wine enthusiasts alike across the globe. The estate rightly takes its place amongst other legendary growers in the region like Egon Müller, Hofgut Falkenstein and Forstmeister Geltz Zilliken.