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

2024 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Großes Gewächs is one of the most refined dry Rieslings from the Moselle. Hailing from the historic Bernkasteler Lay, this Großes Gewächs combines impressive power with precision, refined minerality, and a remarkably long finish. The wine demonstrates that absolute top-class Rieslings are produced alongside the famous Berncasteler Doctor.

Winery Widow Dr. H. Thanisch

Weingut Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch is one of the historic reference estates of the Moselle. Since the seventeenth century, the family has been producing Rieslings from the steep slopes around Bernkastel. The philosophy has always remained the same: low yields, manual harvesting, spontaneous fermentation, and maximum expression of the terroir. The winery is a fixture at the top of German winemaking and enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide.

For more information about Weingut Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch, please refer to the Winery tab.

Bernkasteler Lay

The Bernkasteler Lay is situated directly along the Moselle on the outskirts of Bernkastel. The vineyard has a west-southwest exposure, allowing the grapes to benefit optimally from the afternoon and evening sun. The name "Lay" is derived from the old Moselle dialect for slate and refers to the heavily weathered slate soils that characterize this vineyard.

It is precisely this slate that provides the wine's pronounced mineral signature. The soil stores heat during the day and releases it again at night, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. This results in Rieslings with great tension, refinement, and exceptional terroir expression.

Großes Gewächs

As a Großes Gewächs, this wine belongs to the highest category of dry German quality wines. Only the best plots of officially classified Grosse Lage vineyards qualify for this. The grapes are organically grown and the estate is Fair'n Green certified. Furthermore, the wine is produced entirely vegan.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested entirely by hand and carefully selected. After a skin maceration of approximately 24 hours, they are gently pressed. Fermentation proceeds completely spontaneously with natural yeasts and lasts four to five months. Subsequently, the wine ages for several months on the fine lees, resulting in extra depth, stability, and complexity.

Scent, taste and character

Despite its youth, the 2024 Bernkasteler Lay GG already presents itself as particularly expressive. Aromas of yellow peach, apricot, and citrus are supported by subtle notes of spices, dried flowers, and a characteristic smoky slate minerality.

The taste is powerful and concentrated without losing elegance. Ripe stone fruit is supported by an impressive mineral structure that provides plenty of tension and precision. The fresh acidity energizes the wine, while a subtle salty note and refined spiciness add extra depth.

The finish is exceptionally long and mineral, with the fruit and slate lingering for a long time. It is a Riesling that convinces not so much through exuberance, but through balance, precision, and an impressive expression of the terroir.

The 2024 volume

The international wine press is unanimously among the lovers of this wine. The 2024 Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Großes Gewächs was awarded 95 points thanks to its combination of ripe peach and apricot notes, impressive concentration, and the characteristic slate minerality that continues to accompany the wine well into the finish.

Food and wine pairings

Preferably serve the wine at 9 to 11°C.

Perfect with scallops with beurre noisette, turbot, lobster, langoustines, vitello tonnato, veal, pumpkin gnocchi, dishes with fennel, and refined Asian dishes where freshness and minerality complement the dish beautifully.