Winemaker Notes
Dark stone aromas accompany yellow fruits and savory green herbs (think marjoram, basil, etc) in a burnished, layered, extremely complex wine walking the line consistently between power and elegance.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This stunning expression of the great Rothenberg site is still very tightly wound, the flintiness very pronounced in the first moment, the delicate white peach and wild berry fruit expanding like a rosebud slowly opening during a period of cool weather. Underplayed power and concentration on the extremely precise, medium-bodied palate. Tremendous finesse in the very long, filigreed finish. From organically grown grapes with FairChoice certification.
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Vinous
The 2023 Riesling Nackenheimer Rothenberg Grosses Gewächs still rings with the finest flinty reduction on the nose. Underneath comes a gorgeous streak of pink grapefruit peel, lifted, serene and almost heady with crushed lemongrass and lemon balm. The palate is buffered but shows a clear vein of agile fluidity and serene, sleek, dynamic movement. Leaving gorgeous traces of stony, irony, savory saltiness and unfolding with Seville orange and tangerine, it’s layered, beautiful, soothing, refreshing and long. Citrus zest lingers on the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Gunderloch's 2023 Rothenberg Nackenheim Riesling VDP.GG impresses with a deep, very clear and terroir-influenced nose of Rotliegend rock, along with elegant fruit aromas of ripe stone fruit and herbal-spicy notes. Gentle and elegant on the palate, dense and balanced and juicy, carried by elegant, ripe acidity, this Rothenberg develops a concentrated and long-lasting finish that reflects the warm vintage as well as the good water supply. It is persistently salty, with citrusy freshness in the complex aftertaste.
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Wine Spectator
A smoky, flinty, bone-dry version that crackles with acidity. Racy and austere on the palate for now, this should open up with time. Mineral intensity leads, with a rock-solid foundation of slate filled in with crisp apple and chive blossom details on a clean, chiseled frame that stretches out. Best from 2027 through 2040. 30 cases imported.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
