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
Intensely flinty and expressive on the nose like a young Chablis Grand Cru, this great Pfalz dry riesling very slowly unwinds on the palate. Gigantic power and energy are pressed into a sleek silhouette, with an Amalfi lemon freshness that’s off the scale. How can you not be moved by the almost endless finish of this great masterpiece of minerality? From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Idig Königsbach Riesling VDP.Grosse Lage is deep, ripe, pure and intense on the nose that reveals concentrated fruit intermingled with saline notes. Full-bodied, intense and dense in its texture, this is a compact, saline and very mineral, still tight and crunchy yet stimulating Idig with fine tannins and a long, intense and sustainable finish. 12% stated alcohol. Diam 30 cork.
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Vinous
For now, the 2023 Riesling Königsbach Idig Grosses Gewächs is faintly citric on the nose. However, the palate sprays with lemon and fizzes with brightness and vivid juiciness, evoking a rushing brook, running over mossy stones, cooling, pure and rapid. Everything here is alive with citric verve, leaving such a gorgeous, long citrus savor. The 2023 is wonderful and so pure. (Bone-dry)
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.