Some wines grab you from the very first sip – because they tell a story, because they have character, because they show up in your life at just the right time. That’s exactly the kind of discovery I share in this series. Sometimes they’re rare finds. Sometimes hidden gems. Sometimes big names. Not always the loudest or the priciest – but always wines with soul. Wines that dare something. Wines that have something to say.

Each bottle in this series has moved me deeply – and I’m sure they’ll speak to you, too. Get inspired and maybe you’ll find your next great wine moment right here.

Max Kaindl, June 02, 2025
Reading time about 4 minutes

Collector’s Gem –
My Latest Discoveries

Berg Schlossberg 2023 – Georg Breuer

When Riesling becomes a form of meditation. That moment when you take the first sip and just fall silent – that’s exactly what happened with Breuer’s 2023 Schlossberg. No fireworks, no “look how special I am.” This wine just is. Cool. Clear. And quietly brilliant.

The nose? Like a walk through slate mountains after a summer rain. Green pepper, lemon zest, wet stone. No flashy fruit – just a cool, almost introverted aroma. On the palate, a tight, salty line. The wine stretches across your tongue like a high wire – taut, precise, focused. Lemon peel, green papaya, a hint of tobacco leaf. No fat, no fuss – but depth that lingers. Monumental in its silence. For me, the most convincing Schlossberg since 2019.

Background: Rüdesheimer Berg Schlossberg is a Rheingau legend – one of Germany’s most iconic sites. It gained cult status thanks to Bernhard Breuer and continues its legacy under his daughter Theresa Breuer. Each vintage comes with a new artist label, which adds to the collectability of this cult Riesling. Grown on steep soils full of slate and quartz, this site yields wines of incredible finesse. 2023 was the best vintage for Rüdesheimer Berg in years – the vines finally got to breathe again after the extreme drought of 2022. The Schlossberg stands tall in the glass – cool, monolithic, razor-sharp.

Kirchberg Chardonnay 2023 – J.J. Berizzi

Chardonnay with edge. And character. The 2023 Kirchberg doesn’t shout – but once it’s in the glass, it’s clear this wine has something to say. The nose is a dance between fruit and herbs: yellow apple, a touch of lime, fennel greens, and a hint of anise. Framed by a whisper of oak – elegant, never loud. On the palate, serious grip: salty minerality, fine phenolics, cool energy. Structure, juiciness, poise. Lemon meets almond, stone meets silk. A wine that already moves you – and clearly has the depth to age for a decade. For me: stronger than the much-hyped 2022.

Background: J.J. Berizzi is a young estate in Edenkoben, rooted deep. Julius Berizzi brings experience from Christmann, Wittmann, and abroad – and quickly proves what organic viticulture can achieve in the Pfalz. Kirchberg might look modest at first glance – loess-loam over sandstone – but in Berizzi’s hands it produces wines of surprising clarity and minerality. The 2023 Chardonnay is the proof.

Hautes-Côtes de Beaune “Au Bout du Monde” 2022 – Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey

Burgundy, but different. And better. A simple Bourgogne Blanc? Yes – but what a wine. The 2022 “Au Bout du Monde” bursts into the glass with energy that instantly grabs your attention. The nose is a poem: lime zest, white blossoms, toasted hazelnuts, a touch of white pepper. On the palate, that classic Colin-Morey mix of juiciness, tension, and salty precision. White peach, crushed seashells, nutty grip. Opulent? Yes. But never heavy. This wine dances between power and finesse – always in focus. A basic Bourgogne in name only – this is a quiet masterpiece.

Background: Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is no longer a hidden gem. What he produces in Chassagne, Meursault, and Saint-Aubin ranks among Burgundy’s finest. “Au Bout du Monde” comes from a newly planted parcel he took over in 2016. The young vines bring freshness, the site brings character. Aged in demi-muids without bâtonnage, his wines radiate purity and place like few others. If you want to understand what great white Burgundy can taste like without a Premier Cru label, this is the bottle.

Pictures: © The Art of Riesling – Maximilian Kaindl

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