Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling VDP Erste Lage 2023
Dry Riesling from the variegated sandstone terraces of the Reiterpfad in Ruppertsberg, spontaneously fermented and matured in both large wooden casks and stainless steel.
CHF 41.50
Prices in CHF, including customs duty and all import charges, plus shipping CHF 15 (free from 12 bottles or CHF 300) — no further charges on delivery.
Available for Switzerland
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About this wine
Character
The Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling VDP Erste Lage 2023 from the A. Christmann estate is a dry Riesling of the cool, linear style. The nose offers white peach, nashi pear and apricot, followed by white currant and near-unripe raspberry. Beneath lie cold smoke and wet stone, along with nettle, kaffir lime leaf and the zest of bergamot. Lemon balm, lemon thyme, coriander, fennel seed and chervil keep the profile fresh.
Terroir and origin
The Reiterpfad in Ruppertsberg covers nearly 60 hectares with a gentle slope toward the east-southeast. This terraced site formed over millennia from the variegated sandstone scree of the Haardt mountains, and its exposure spreads sunlight evenly across the day. The A. Christmann estate in Gimmeldingen has existed since 1798; Steffen and Sophie Christmann today farm 17 hectares, exclusively classified vineyard sites.
Grape variety and vinification
Pure Riesling from vines planted in 1992. After the rains of July and August, the berries were at risk of splitting; the fine-weather spell from early September onward brought the vintage back on track. Harvested by hand on 24 September, with careful sorting. Fermentation proceeded spontaneously, maturation took place in large, neutral wooden casks and in stainless steel tank. Bottled in July 2024, 12.0% ABV.
On the palate
Dense and full-bodied in structure, generous and expansive, without the fruit concentration ever turning heavy. Firm, distinctive, crisp and austere. The fruit gathers into a bright, focused thread, builds pressure and carries through to the finish, where the herbal notes return.
Special features
The estate has farmed organically since 2002 and biodynamically since 2003, certified under respekt-BIODYN and EU organic standards. Horn manure, horn silica and compost preparations replace synthetic chemicals, and all work follows the lunar calendar. Steffen Christmann has served as president of the VDP since 2007, and his daughter Sophie joined the estate in 2018.
