2023 Ansgar-Clüsserath Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spätlese

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Description

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Philipp Wittmann (responsible for the cellar and exports) and his father, Günther (vineyards), and mother, Elisabeth (sales), have built a fantastic winery in Westhofen, Rheinhessen. Since 1990, they have been operating organically, and later biodynamically. The guiding principle for their wines is therefore: terroir expression through healthy soil. A low yield per hectare, hand-selection of the best grapes, and very slow vinification with natural yeasts without the addition of sulfites in large wooden vats do the rest. The house is "the benchmark" for Rheinhessen and has become a benchmark for German white wines in general. This is evident from the enormous number of international awards their wines have received, both high and low. For example, Philipp has twice been named Germany's best white winemaker by the prestigious Eichelmann winery: in 2003 and 2013. In 2014, he received the same title from Gault Millau. Philipp is married to Eva Clüsserath who owns her own wine estate in the Mosel and that is where this Ansgar-Clüsserath Trittenheimer Apotheke comes from.

The grapes grow in the Trittenheimer Apotheke vineyard, an extremely steep vineyard nestled in a sharp bend in the Mosel River. The soil consists of blue, weathered slate on a stony subsoil. This slate warms up during the day and radiates heat to the vines at night. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, maintaining a good balance of ripeness, delicate acidity, and minerality. The vines must penetrate deep into the soil to find water and nutrients. This unique soil gives the wine a distinctive, almost saline minerality. Some of the vines are over 100 years old.

The grapes are harvested later than those for Riesling Kabinett, making them riper and higher in sugar. During harvest, the grapes are hand-selected, followed by a gentle pressing. The juice is fermented in large, traditional vats. A few months of lye aging gives the wine a round, creamy texture, beautifully balanced with a fresh minerality. The nose reveals primarily ripe fruit (peach, apricot), lovely floral notes, spice, and a mineral touch. On the palate, a beautiful interplay of (fruity) sweetness and acidity, along with a delightfully palatable alcohol. The finish is long and elegant, with a distinct minerality. A wine with great aging potential.

Specifications

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Packing information Box
Type of Wine White
Country Germany
Region Moezel
Winery Weingut Wittmann
Grape Riesling
Biological certified No
Natural wine No
Vegan No
Vintage 2023
Drinking as of 2024
Drinking till 2040
Alcohol % 8.5
Alcohol free/low No
Content 0.75 ltr
Oak aging No
Sparkling No
Dessert wine Yes
Closure Cork
Parker rating 93
James Suckling rating 95
Tasting Profiles Aromatisch, Bloemig, Fris, Fruitig, Licht, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit
Drink moments Borrelen, Met vrienden, Summer party, Terras, Voor alledag

Professional Reviews

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Parker

93

James Suckling

95

Wijnhuis

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Located in Westhofen in the Rheinhessen wine region, Weingut Wittmann produces biodynamic wines with terroir expression and extreme precision. The Wittmanns and their ancestors have been wine growers in Westhofen since the 17th century. The experience of some 350 volumes of more than 15 generations is great in the priceless heritage of the family. Time and rest are essential ingredients for making a good wine. And this is exactly what the wines get in abundance in the vaulted cellar, built in 1829. Winemaker Philipp Wittmann watches over his wines, under constant temperature and humidity conditions, while maturing in 80 wooden barrels. The oldest of these barrels is from the year 1890 and has already housed many great vintages. Each barrel contains the harvest of 1 single vineyard plot.

Star winemaker Philipp Wittmann (responsible for the cellar and export), together with father Günther (vineyards) and mother Elisabeth (sales), have built a fantastic wine company in Westhofen, Rheinhessen. Since 1990, work has been done biologically and later biologically dynamically. The starting point for the wines is therefore: terroir expression through healthy soil. A low yield per hectare, manual selection of the best grapes and a very slow vinification with natural yeasts without the addition of sulfite on large wooden feeds do the rest. The house is 'the standard' for Rheinhessen and now also a standard for German white in general. This is evident from the enormous flow of international valuations that the wines receive, both higher and lower. For example, Philipp has already twice been named the best white winemaker in Germany by the authoritative Eichelmann in 2003 and 2013. In 2014 he received the same title from Gault Millau. Philipp is married to Eva Clüsserath who owns her own wine estate in the Moselle. Philipp is said to hate August: he has to divide his Grosse Gewächse. This is especially annoying because the demand is increasing and the supply is small. So he actually has too little for everyone. Not surprising, given that his GGs earn up to 96 points from Parker, he was crowned Germany's best white winemaker twice by Eichelmann, winemaker of the year at Gault Millau in 2014, and at Schlemmer Atlas in 2015 and annually in Mainz during the GG tasting as one of the very best!

Wittmann has consistently opted for quality, which means that he only releases the finest fruit from his vineyards as GG. The rest goes in the Westhofener and even the Riesling Trocken is partly made with this noble fruit.

 

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