2021 Weingut Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewachs

A more than beautiful Riesling from Weingut Dönnhoff, which with its 9 Große Layers is counted among the absolute top in the region. This Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg GG comes from the very old and famous Felsenberg vineyard, beautifully situated on a steep southern slope. The vines grow under extreme conditions in a soil with weathered volcanic porphyry rock. The stony soil heats up quickly during the day, creating very distinctive Rieslings with a zesty fruitiness and mineral acidity, internationally recognized for their distinctive beautiful aromas. At the heart of this fantastic vineyard is the Felsentürmchen ("little rock tower") which is also depicted on the label. The vines are about 25-35 years old and the mineral-rich Felsenberg grapes are always harvested very carefully, selectively and of course by hand. Wine region where Weingut Dönnhoff is located is the Nahe. The area is of course named after the river of the same name and has beautiful steep slopes with slate and volcanic soils that provide an ideal surface for beautiful mineral Rieslings. The Nahe mainly produces white wine, about 75% of which the majority is Riesling. The area has about 4000 hectares of vineyards.

This Hermannshöhle GG offers a clear, deep, intense and complex bouquet of iodine, slate intertwined with notes of lemon and those of crushed stone and wet pebbles. Intense and concentrated, it has a sur lie character and concentrated fruit. Full, dense, yet salty on the palate, this Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewachs is a powerful, rich Riesling with a long, complex and aromatic finish with fine tannins and stimulating lemon bitters.

VDP (Verband Deutscher Pradikatsweinguter) Grosse Lage is the denominator for the very best German vineyards, which are precisely defined per plot. The VDP is an important organization with about 200 of the best winegrowers in Germany affiliated. The VDP has mapped the quality of vineyards (and their wines) and divided them into Erste Lage and Grosse Lage, similar to the Premier Cru and Grand Cru qualifications in Burgundy. With the VDP classification, the classification revolves around terroir instead of must weight. Unique wines with a special expression of the specific plot, a mature character and great aging potential are born here. Only the very best and grape varieties specific to the vineyard enjoy the privilege of being planted for this. The strictest possible production criteria guarantee the top of the VDP qualification pyramid.