2024 Wwe. Dr. H Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Großes Gewächs

2024 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Großes Gewächs belongs to the absolute elite of German Riesling. Hailing from the legendary Berncasteler Doctor, one of the most famous and prestigious vineyards in the world, this Großes Gewächs demonstrates why this small vineyard has been counted among Germany's greatest terroirs for centuries. The combination of old vines, extremely steep slopes, and slate soils produces a Riesling with unprecedented depth, minerality, and impressive aging potential.

Winery Widow Dr. H. Thanisch

Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch is one of the historical icons of the Moselle. The family has been producing wine in Bernkastel since the seventeenth century and is inextricably linked to the famous Berncasteler Doctor. For generations, the winery has been known for its extremely refined Rieslings that combine elegance, precision, and terroir expression. The style is classic Moselle: refined, mineral, and built for longevity.

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Berncasteler Doctor

The Berncasteler Doctor is undoubtedly one of the most famous vineyards in Germany. The steep slope with a south-southwest exposure consists of weathered slate with a stony, loamy soil. Thanks to this combination of soil, exposure, and old vines, Rieslings are produced with exceptional concentration, refined acidity, and a pronounced mineral signature.

Moreover, the vineyard is surrounded by centuries-old legends. According to tradition, the Doctor owes its name to a wine from this vineyard that is said to have cured a seriously ill Elector. Since then, Berncasteler Doctor has been regarded as one of the most mythical terroirs of German viticulture.

Vineyard and vinification

The grapes come from vines that are partly over a hundred years old. The harvest is carried out entirely by hand, selecting only perfectly ripe grapes. After a brief crushing, a skin maceration of approximately fourteen hours follows, after which the grapes are gently pressed. Fermentation proceeds entirely spontaneously using exclusively natural yeasts and lasts four to five months. Subsequently, the wine ages for a considerable time on the fine lees to develop additional complexity, texture, and stability.

The 2024 volume

The 2024 vintage once again confirms the exceptional reputation of Berncasteler Doctor. James Suckling awarded this Großes Gewächs 95 points and praises the wine for its precision, tension, and impressive length. The combination of ripe fruit, refined acidity, and characteristic slate minerality makes this a classic Doctor with enormous aging potential.

Scent, taste and character

The wine initially opens somewhat closed, after which an impressive aromatic spectrum slowly unfolds. Notes of star fruit, pineapple, papaya, orange zest, and Boskoop apple are followed by aromas of brioche, yeast, black truffle, fine spices, and subtle smokiness.

On the palate, the wine is intense, concentrated, and at the same time crystal clear. The characteristic briny slate minerality runs like a thread through the wine and is beautifully supported by lively acidity and impressive tension. The texture is rich and almost creamy, without ever sacrificing precision.

The finish is exceptionally long and layered, with citrus, stone fruit, spices, and mineral notes lingering for minutes. As the wine sits longer in the glass, it continues to develop and reveal new nuances.

Storage potential

Like the greatest Rieslings from the Moselle, this Berncasteler Doctor will continue to develop for decades. With bottle aging, increasingly complex aromas of honey, flint, dried fruit, spices, and petroleum emerge, while the freshness and minerality are retained.

Drinking window and food and wine pairings

The 2024 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Großes Gewächs will be beautifully ready to drink from around 2028, but will effortlessly continue to develop for another twenty to thirty years.

Preferably serve the wine at 10 to 12°C.

Excellent with lobster, langoustines, turbot, scallops, gravad lax, shellfish, Asian dishes, veal, poultry, and refined vegetarian dishes. Thanks to its impressive structure, this Riesling is also a magnificent gastronomic accompaniment that is surprisingly versatile.