Winemaker Notes
A very old and famous site, splendidly located on a steep southern slope. The vines grow under extreme conditions in weathered volcanic porphyry soil. The stony ground heats quickly during the day, and that warmth produces characteristic Rieslings with a racy fruitiness and mineral acidity, internationally recognized for their distinctive flinty aromas. At the heart of this fantastic vineyard stands our Felsentu¨rmchen (“small rock tower”). The mineral-rich Felsenberg grapes undergo an intense selective harvest and their wines bear the symbol of the Felsentu¨rmchen.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Ripe and concentrated, but also quite austere with stacks of spice and grapefruit character; everything from the juice to the pith and zest! A seriously dry riesling, but with moderate acidity. Long crushed rock finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
Densely structured and tightly wound, this white starts off austere before slowly opening to reveal delicate notes of white blossoms and crunchy orchard fruit on a stone foundation. More savory than fruit-driven, with a liberal dusting of fresh-cut chive and pink peppercorn accents. Chalky tannins keep pace through the racy finish, with a kick of quinine bitterness. This needs time. Best from 2025 through 2035.
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Wine Enthusiast
Has a savory allure, with intense acidity lending a bright profile and balancing out juicy flavors of nectarine and lemon curd, revealing hints of anise and tarragon. Long and expressive midpalate extends to the focused, mouth-watering finish.
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.
