2024 Riesling Schloss Frankenberg Wine Estate Markus Meier

a German quakity wine which I rated with 92 bonvinitas points (green for dry up to 12%. In this case, the points represent my personal opinion, for which I use the same system as for our blind evaluations for the bonvinitas wine guide). "Dry" is usually not mentioned on Meier's labels, which goes without saying, and this was no exception. My tasting notes: Superb Riesling nose, white peach, a hint of lemon blossom; wonderfully compact, solid body with elegance and Riesling temperament, a compact, lively finish, a wine that confidently says: "Here I am!" And one you can safely enjoy a glass more of. "Due to global warming, we need alcohol management," says Meier, explaining: "Of course, cooler locations help, but we also partially defoliate to reduce the vines' sugar production and harvest as early as possible, never overripe, so that the suggar degrees don't shoot up too high."

Meier is, or rather was, a technical business economist in the automotive industry, coming from a farming family in Ulsenheim in the deep southeast of the Franconian wine-growing region and a career changer. In 1990, his parents planted their first vineyard, initially for their own use. From donations and sales to friends and acquaintances, more and more quickly developed. And Meier felt more and more drawn to nature and viticulture. In 2005, after an apprenticeship as a winemaker, he founded the current wine estate, which now boasts a respectable 38 hectares in very renowned Franconian locations such as Escherndorfer Lump, Randersackerer Pfülben and Sonnenstuhl, Sommerhäuser Steinbach and Würzburger Kirchberg - partly leased, partly purchased, to name just the most important, with, as is typical for Franconia, primarily 38% Silvaner but also 25% Riesling, 18% Burgundy varieties and others.

The same “drinky fun” is offered by:

2024 Schloss Frankenberg Blue Silvaner

A German quality wine, also with a pleasant 11.5% ABV, which I awarded 90 green bonvinitas points : A delicate nose with subtle notes of fruity apple compote; very appealing on the palate, with discreet sweetness and texture, and more fruity apple compote; a wine you'll love to linger on your tongue. Meier says of it: "A local wine for everyone!" Blauer Silvaner, by the way, is a variation. It produces virtually no red pigment, making it a white wine, too.

Schloss Frankenberg

Now almost a miniature Versailles, it was acquired in a completely dilapidated state by Prof. Dr.Dr. Peter Löw as part of the European Heritage Project and exquisitely renovated into a fantastic castle hotel ( see separate article ) . The castle includes 18 hectares of vineyards around the hill on which the castle stands, as well as on the adjacent hills. Following an initial collaboration, Meier has now fully leased the 18 hectares with the 2025 harvest.

Impressive "Great Wines"

I really liked his:

2023 Blue Silvaner Louisenberg

A German quality wine with 13% ABV, which I awarded 92 red bo nvinitas points (red for dry wines over 12%): A distinguished floral bouquet with notes of ripe autumn apples and a hint of orange, well-structured on the palate, with plenty of body that exudes elegance, an entertainingly light saltiness accompanied by super-fine bitter notes; a compact finish that captivates—an excellent food companion.

Special mention must be made of:

2020 Silvaner Reserve from the steep Escherndorfer Lump vineyard

dry, 13.5%, German quality wine, grown on shell limestone and matured for three years in a tonneau (500 liter wooden barrel), 94 bonvinitas points : Fine bouquet with hints of dried fruit, slightly mineral and a touch of vanilla - a nose that arouses curiosity; on the palate full-bodied, lush, robust, caresses the tongue and palate with fruit notes reminiscent of honeydew melon; great finish with a well-ripened, restrained temperament with very subtly lively bitter notes.

Meier is particularly proud of his Rieslings from vines that are up to 50 years old, from which he produces not only “drinky” wines but also great wines that he allows to mature for a long time, such as the following:

2018 Riesling Großes Gewächs from the steep slope  Sommerhäuser Steinbach

(great growth) Dry, German quality wine, in a Bocksbeutel, 13% ABV. A superb wine, which I rated with 95 red bonvinitas points : Very fine, ripe Riesling nose, peach compote, lime, a hint of butter; an almost overwhelmingly full-bodied Riesling, lining the mouth, from which the Riesling variety rises delicately, with a light salty undertone, and where the wonderfully mature, highly elegant Riesling variety accompanies you for a long time on the finish. A wine with real personality!

Meier Wine Experience

Meier formally runs the winery as MEIER Weinerlebnis GmbH. He also offers an inviting wine shop with numerous events. As an organic winery, Meier also works sustainably with nature and is a member of Bioland, Slow Food, and Ethos, an association of 12 winemakers from Franconia who, despite their individual differences, share a common vision: sustainable viticulture.

Text, personal photo and bottle photos: Dieter Simon, other photos: PR