Winemaker Notes
Steep cliffs of extrusive igneous rock (porphyry and melaphyre) rise directly from the banks of the River Nahe between Norheim and Niederhausen. Between those cliffs are small hollows, known in the local dialect as “Dellchen”. The slate soils here are mixed with the stony precipitate sedimentary rock of the adjacent volcanic cliffs. The extremely steep, perfectly south-facing slope is terraced by dry stone walls that demand a rigorous level of labor-intensive care. Protected by the surrounding cliffs, the Riesling grapes enjoy an extremely long hang time and year for year achieve perfect levels of ripeness.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2025 Riesling Norheimer Dellchen Grosses Gewächs is a site that mixes shale with porphyry on terraces with excellent water availability. The nose trembles with reduction and scent, with citrus and flint. Stony clarity, beautiful poise and utter linearity make this a svelte dynamo of stone and ripe lemon, gaining speed and trailing juiciness and zest. All about this pushes forward with lively, energetic lemon and stone force. Simply wonderful and so deliciously bracing. (Bone-dry)
Range: 96-98 -
James Suckling
Aromas of green mango, grapefruit and fennel. The palate is medium bodied, precise and delineated with a subtle phenolic thats definition and nuance. Focused on the finish. Drink or hold.
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.
