​When we think of the world’s most coveted dry white wines, Klaus Peter Keller’s G-Max Riesling inevitably comes to mind. With its $2,000 price tag now surpassing most examples of the greatest of all White Burgundies—Montrachet—G-Max has few peers anywhere on earth. 

​ But G-Max may now have a rival from just a few kilometers down the road: the very rare   “Liquid Earth.”

​ Made by Oliver Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot of Battenfeld-Spanier, one of Germany’s pioneering biodynamic estates, Liquid Earth was first made in 2005 as a one-off reserve bottling, meant to be drunk privately with friends.

​ Yet Oliver and Carolin were so blown away they continued to produce one barrel each year, ensuring the wine aged at least 60 months total before trickling a few bottles into the European market.

​The first commercial releases of Liquid Earth quickly earned a lofty place among critics. But it wasn’t until the 2019 vintage that whispers of it challenging G-Max (and even Clos Ste. Hune, according to Stuart Pigott) turned into a roar:

​ “Montrachet power and Riesling finesse …  A dream. 100 rating.” Heiner Lobenberg

​ ​“Exquisitely ripe, radiant fruit. Statuesque  in its bearing. 99 rating.” Anne Krebiehl MW

​ “Fabulously elegant … Reminds me of  Clos Ste. Hune. 98 rating.” Stuart Pigott

​And with Anne Krebiehl repeating her 99-point score for the equally stunning 2020, it’s clear that Liquid Earth is a force to be reckoned with. Too bad it remains so rare.

As its name suggests, Liquid Earth is a wine of pure terroir made from a meticulous selection of Battenfeld-Spanier’s oldest, steepest vines in the limestone-rich Steinlinden lieu-dit. 

The biodynamic grapes are hand-harvested at minuscule yields and pressed very slowly, over 24 hours, before fermenting naturally in an old 1200-liter fuder. After aging on its fine lees for a year, it is bottled unfiltered and matured for an additional four years in Battenfeld’s cellar.

The Rare Wine Co. has, by far, the most extensive library of Liquid Earth in America, including vintages not previously made available.