STEINBERG Riesling Grosses Gewächs

The Steinberg stands high above the noble Hermannsberg and next-door to the legendary Kupfergrube, but it’s not a synthesis of these contrasting pinnacles in our vineyard portfolio. Actually, the name says it all: this steep south-southwest facing hillside is ruled by stone (Stein in German). The ruler of the Steinberg is called Lemberg porphyry, a volcanic rock that reflects much of the solar energy due to its pale, yellowish color. Together with the poorness of the soil this gives cool and pristine wines with a crystalline charisma. In recent years they gained ever more elegance.

Our Steinberg GG has always had a Chablis-like austerity and the intense mineral character of this vineyard is once again clearly apparent. The great ripeness of this exceptionally warm vintage has married a fine peach and apricot aroma to that austerity to create a complex whole that is at once  seductive and tantalizing. The lemony acidity at the dry finish are there as in previous years, but this time it’s wrapped in velvet. A spritz of natural carbon dioxide from the fermentation keeps the whole light on its feet.