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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Vinous
The 2022 Riesling Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Felsentürmchen Grosses Gewächs is from a steep site of volcanic origin with porphyry and melaphyr. A touch of yeastiness still plays on the shy, tentative nose. The palate comes in with stony saltiness, a tingling sense of juicy lemon intensifying the salty impression even more. Great concentration aligns with lightness and energetic linearity. The bright acidity has a serene luminosity and ripe yet crystal clear smoothness that seems to stretch away into eternity, lighting the way, gliding along, dynamic, optimistic, promising and full of light. (Bone-dry)
Range: 95-97 -
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
A simmering, smoky core of mineral energy grounds this compact, bone-dry version. A bit of time in glass reveals lime oil, citrus and zesty peach skin, with a good sense of underlying power. Offers impressive textural appeal and energy. Best from 2026 through 2040.
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Wine Enthusiast
Bone dry, showing a good balance between austerity and charm, with notes of grapefruit, apple and pear up front, the wine is underscored by a savory mineral wave. It is crunchy and with an interesting in texture, but it is still a bit too young and waiting to reveal more with age.
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.
