Eva Fricke describes the 2022 vintage as “raw and wild”. In a clear display of her natural talent and attuned viticultural intellect, Eva has tamed it; in the glass, the wines tell a confident and composed story. Marked by striking aromatics, elegant minerality and potent, crystal-clear fruit, this visionary grower’s showstopping 2022s are a masterclass in texture, balancing glistening acidity with pure, powerful flavours and mineral tension born from old vines rooted in slate, quartz and rock.After the meagre yields of the preceding year, Fricke was hyper-focused in the vineyard throughout the 2022 season. This is a grower instinctively dialled into the climatic changes in the Rheingau, and there has been no hesitation in her response. Using organic and biodynamic viticulture and an informed, science-based approach, Fricke tends to her soils and vines with her vigilant crew and no stone is left unturned (almost literally). Addressing Germany's two most pertinent issues, specific focus is paid to retaining moisture in the rocky soils and developing healthy canopies to mitigate intense sunshine. Her vines reaped the benefit of this hard work in the remarkably dry, sunny conditions of 2022, delivering good yields of fruit “characterised by fine, delicate aromatics, combined with refreshing acidity and marked saltiness”. As she navigates these challenges, emerging each year with ever more impressive wines, it’s clear she’s doing everything right. Those familiar with Fricke’s wines will know she is the new Rheingau superstar. Beyond our unreserved enthusiasm, it’s important to note that critical acclaim, respect and admiration for Fricke’s wines is pretty much universal. They’re not wrong. These are special wines: structured, pure, scintillatingly soulful Rieslings from an inspirational grower and a unique place.