From the sun-drenched terraces of Rüdesheim’s famed Berg Roseneck vineyard comes a Riesling that captures the full radiance of the hot 2003 vintage. Lush aromas of ripe apricot, baked peach and candied citrus peel rise from the glass, wrapped in notes of honey, chamomile and a faint whisper of slate. The palate is voluptuous yet beautifully balanced, with a silken texture and sweetness offset by the gentle pull of minerality. Time has turned the fruit golden and the edges mellow, a mature Spätlese that glows with warmth, generosity and quiet poise.

For when: dessert’s done but the evening isn’t.
Pairs with: blue cheese, foie gras, or just the last light of the day.
If this wine were: a song, it’d be Norah Jones on vinyl - smooth, nostalgic, endlessly soothing.

Weingut Leitz, based in Rüdesheim am Rhein, stands as one of the modern icons of the Rheingau. Under Johannes Leitz’s leadership since the 1980s, the estate has become a standard-bearer for precision and purity, crafting Rieslings that balance ripeness with striking freshness, even in challenging years. The steep, south-facing slopes of Berg Roseneck, composed of quartzite and slate yield wines of remarkable aromatic lift and mineral length. In 2003, a year marked by intense summer heat, Leitz achieved a rare harmony: a Spätlese with richness, structure and age-worthy grace that continues to sing more than two decades on.