Winemaker Notes
The Siefersheim sites are carved out of volcanic hills; the soil is poor in nutrients and consists of volcanic stone also known as porphyr or the more modern expression ryolith, actually quite similar to the Schlossböckelheim sites in the Nahe. 95% of the production is dry. The wines bring amazing mineral drive to the palate!
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From an odd vintage with very easy flowering but a rainy summer, the 2014 Heerkretz Riesling GG is the result of an exhausting selection that took place in the Heerkretz between September 25 and October 13. The golden-yellow colored wine opens with a clear and elegant nose of ripe stone fruit (apricots) aromas intertwined with hints of caramel and crystalline stone salt. Lush but refined on the palate, this is a very elegant and generous but lean and balanced Riesling with smooth but delicate acidity and a perfect residual sugar level of 6.2 grams per liter. I have never been a huge fan of 2014 wines, but Wagner's Heerkretz is one of my favorites, 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork.
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.
