Winemaker Notes
A large part of A. Christmann's 2.8 hectares of vineyards in Idig are planted with Riesling. There are old vines here, some of which are ungrafted, but also younger ones. The best parts are the Kalkbuckel around the pavilion, as well as the Rolandsberg and the adjoining terrace.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
An extremely concentrated and fine dry riesling with a very impressive structure for the very moderate alcohol content (12%). This is lovely to drink now, but if you really want to experience all the depths, then you will need to wait at least a couple of years. Very long, silky finish with a lot of mineral subtlety. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From tertiary limestone soils, the Königsbach 2022 Riesling Idig VDP.Grosse Lage® opens with a deep and intense yet also refined and iodine-scented nose of ripe and elegant Riesling or Idig aromas. Full-bodied, dense and textural on the palate if not mellow due to its origin and a yeasty layer with remarkably fine tannins, this is a dense and persistently saline as well as savory Riesling with a long Pinot Noir like finish. It's still a little bit astringent but very promising.
Rating: 95+
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.
This sunny and relatively dry region served for many years as a German tourist mecca and was associated with low cost, cheerful wines. But since the 1980s, it has gained a reputation as one of Germany’s more innovative regions, which has led to increased international demand.