WTN: Once again a new name to me from Mosel: Heinz Schmitt

Heinz Schmitt Mehringer Blattenberg Riesling Auslese 1998

One of the nice things about the Mosel is that even unknown names that bring up no or few hits when searching the Riesling-friendly places on the Internet can turn out to be very satisfying wines.

This Schmitt was not a great wine, JJ Prüm & al. need not be worried, but this is a delightful, fully mature Riesling. Quite advanced colour, gentle but pure Riesling aromas and some of that copper kettle aroma that they get when fully mature; a bit on the soft/low acid end of things but lively enough. Sweet and gentle and mature and time to drink now. Very satisfying.

[David M. Bueker]

New name to me.

Found some info on the vineyard though. See here.

Heinz Schmitt Erben is a large producer in Leiwen. In September 2010, the grower Heinz Schmitt died, tragically, when his tractor with trailer tumbled down a steep vineyard in Klüsserath. He was a well-known grower in the region. His wife and kids have decided to continue on. The bottles and labels have a new look now.

Thank you for the interesting note, Otto. I've seen the name Heinz Schmitt mentioned in a couple books, but knew basically nothing about Heinz Schmitt (Erben) until your post, and Lars' mini-obit.