Winemaker Notes
The Robert Weil line of estate wines begins with this medium-bodied dry Riesling that shows the typical density and power of the Rheingau region, but is much more affordable than their ultra-classy single-vineyard wines. Produced in large, neutral oak casks for a rounder texture, the Riesling Trocken (German for "dry") is a charming, fruit-driven wine, whose balanced, tangy flavors and food-friendly versatility mean that one glass is never quite enough.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Sleek, cool and lively on the barely medium-bodied palate, this entry-level dry Rheingau riesling shows good juiciness (think yellow apples and lemons), the crisp acidity married to fresh mint aromas.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2024 Rheingau Riesling Trocken is clear, refined and coolish on the elegant nose, with grassy and flinty notes as well as white fruit aromas and just an idea of yellow stone fruits. Vinified predominantly in stainless steel (95%), the wine is round and tastes almost off-dry on the palate, which makes it very pleasant and digestible already at this early stage. This is a delicious, frisky Riesling for many occasions. 12% stated alcohol.
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.
Practically one long and bucolic hillside along the northern bank of the Rhein River, the Rheingau stretches the entirety of the river’s east to west spread from Hocheim to Rüdesheim.
Variations in elevation, soil types, and proximity to the Rhine cause great diversity in Rheingau Riesling. Some of the better Rieslings in warmer years come from the cooler and breezier sites at higher elevations. In cooler years, sites closer to the river may perform better.
In the village of Rüdesheim, slopes are steep and soils are stony slate with quartzite; Rieslings are rich and spicy, intense in stone fruit and show depth and character with age. World class Rieslings come from farther east on the river through Geisenheim, Johannisberg, Winkel, Oestrich and past Erbach as well, where soils of loess, sand, and marl alternate. Long-living, floral-driven and mineral-rich Rieslings come from the best of these sites.
Rheingau growers became early activists in promoting the dry style of Riesling, low yields and the classification of top vineyards, or Erstes Gewächs (first growths). Proximity to the metropolitan markets of Mainz, Wiesbaden, and Frankfurt keeps Rheingau in high reputation. While dry wines are the style here, Rheingau isn’t short of some amazing Auslesen, Beerenauslesen, and Trockenbeerenauslesen.
Rheingau doesn’t mess with many other grapes—in fact 79% of its total area is dedicated to Riesling. But it produces some fine Pinot noir, especially concentrated in Assmannshausen, a bit farther west from Rüdesheim.