Riesling Hallgartener Hendelberg 1G Erste Lage 2021

A dry Riesling from the Rheingau at 12.0 % vol., combining juiciness with precise acidity. It stands right at the beginning of its development, its ageing potential far from exhausted.

The Hendelberg above Hallgarten rises at a gradient of around 40 percent, faces south-southwest and sits on brightly shimmering phyllite slate; the vineyards climb up to 300 metres. The steep incline favours the sun's effect in spring and autumn while reducing radiation intensity in high summer, giving the vines their own distinctive growth dynamic. In the middle Rheingau, this site stands as a true solitaire.

Pure varietal Riesling, 100 percent hand-harvested, gentle whole-cluster pressing, spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts. This is followed by 16 months on full lees in a large wooden cask. In the cellar, the estate's guiding principle applies: no fining, minimal use of sulphur.

The nose is open and aromatic: mirabelle plum, vine peach, lime and orange, along with mango and passion fruit, herbal-floral tones of lemon balm, elderflower and verbena, cool stony notes and a hint of oyster shell. On the palate, pure juiciness meets a thoroughly invigorating acidity, carried by intense minerality. Those drinking it at this youthful stage should decant it a few hours beforehand.

Risotto with lemon thyme, oyster and scallop cassolette in a puff pastry fleuron, as well as red mullet fillets cooked in foil with a slice of lemon and sea samphire.

The Peter Jakob Kühn estate in Oestrich-Winkel was founded in 1786 by Jacobus Kühn and is today run in its twelfth generation by Peter Bernhard and Viktoria. Almost exclusively Riesling grows across its 21 hectares, farmed biodynamically; since 2009 the estate has carried the Demeter seal, whose logo also appears on the label.