Riesling Hallgartener Hendelberg 1G Erste Lage 2023

A dry Rheingau Riesling at 12.5% vol. that brings together open fruit, herbal spice and an earthy depth. It doesn't meet the taster halfway but rather challenges them: tart grapefruit and salty undertones hold the aromatic richness in tension.

The Hendelberg above Hallgarten rises at around 40 percent gradient in a south-southwest exposure, with the vineyards reaching up to 300 metres above sea level, on soil of shimmering, multicoloured phyllite slate. The steep incline favours the sun's effect in spring and autumn while reducing radiation intensity in high summer, giving the vines their own distinct growth dynamic. The estate in Oestrich-Winkel has been family-owned since 1786 and is today run in the twelfth generation by Peter Bernhard and Viktoria, farming 21 hectares according to Demeter guidelines.

Pure Riesling, 100% hand-harvested, gentle whole-cluster pressing, spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts. This is followed by 16 months on full lees in large wooden casks. The same restraint applies in the cellar as in the vineyard: no fining, minimal use of sulphur.

Juicy and full-bodied, carried by pronounced, invigorating acidity. Mirabelle plum, vineyard peach, lime and orange from the nose reappear, joined by exotic hints of mango and passion fruit as well as the herbaceous-floral notes of lemon balm, elderflower and verbena. A wine you could almost chew, with great ageing potential.

Classified as Erste Lage (1G). The estate switched to biodynamic cultivation in the early 2000s and has carried the Demeter seal since 2009, whose logo appears on the label.