2004 Vintage

Disappointing weather in 2004 presented a challenge to the new estate manager, Stefan Kraml, who took up his position in February of that year. However, he showed his mettle by overseeing severe pruning of the vines and major investment in the vineyards and cellar, setting the scene for a very racy mineral vintage. Ripening was slow over the cool summer, so that the harvest began only in the last week of October. The first few days of harvest immediately yielded some Fuder casks of high quality Auslesen, and in the Abtsberg a Beerenauslese – a rarity for this vintage in the Mosel Saar Ruwer. The remaining November harvest produced yields of around 45 hl/ha. 2004 is characterised by a mineral, lean style with lots of fruit, and long ageing potential.