Winemaker Notes
Perfect harmony of ripeness, minerality, fruit and acidity as well as density and balance. Very typical for the vineyard side, the smell is formed from the red slate, which creates hints of smoke, pepper, firestone, hay, tee and herbs. It also has the typical Riesling aromas like citrus, apple, peach and apricot. On the palate it has the same combination of aromas: the grape variety is responsible for the fruity taste and the soil for the herby, spicy minerality. Like all Rebholz wines, this wine has a huge ageing potential.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There were times, not that long ago, where a wine such as the 2018 Riesling vom Rotliegenden trocken would have been one of the finest dry Rieslings of Germany. Its quality is still the same (if not even better than years ago), but the quality level in Germany has been rising dramatically for 10+ years now. This wine is one for freaks because it is so pure and flinty and doesn't indicate any grams of fat or even flesh but has so much precision and terroir (or Kastanienbusch) character. On the palate, this Riesling reveals Mosel-like juiciness and crystallinity. In fact, the palate is less Apollonian than the nose, but it's also not Dionysian. It's a Rebholz picture-book wine with phenolic grip and mineral tension yet not the tight structure of the vom Buntsandstein twin. The "deuxième vin" of the Kastanienbusch has lots of energy and can play even in the GG class.
Rating: 91+
The Rebholz estate, in the southern Pfalz region of Germany, is a pioneer in organic and natural winemaking. The estate has been certified organic since 2005 and practicing biodynamic since 2006. However, even as far back as 1951, Eduard Rebholz (1889-1966), who received the title Ökonomierat, an honorary title conferred upon a deserving agriculturist, was commenting on his natural approach: "You will receive only natural wine from my cellar, wine that is the result of intense and loving cultivation of the vines and of similar vinicultural methods (no chaptalization, no artificial addition of a Süßreserve or similar fundamental structural changes that alter the native character of the wine and, in my eyes, mean that it is no longer a natural product."
This tradition continues with the current generation; Birgit and Hansjörg Rebholz together with their children Hans, Valentin and Helene work as close to nature as possible. In an effort to promote a healthy ecosystem and to protect the environment, they forgo the use of herbicides, synthetic fungicides and mineral fertilizers. They use only organic and biodynamic techniques and materials that promote healthy plants, helping the vines grow strong and prosper naturally. While these methods involve more time and effort, it is a price they are willing to accept in order to best protect and preserve the biodiversity within their vineyards
The earliest recorded history of winegrowing by the Rebholz family in Siebeldingen dates back to 1632. From beer brewer to village mayor, family members have held a wide range of titles over the years. The single constant: always at least one winemaker in the family. Around 100 years ago the Rebholz clan took the estate house, first built in the 16th century, as their family home. The Rebholz family only began bottling their wine following the Second World War, as an alternative to delivering entire barrels to local inns and restaurants.
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.