Winemaker Notes
2018 was a glorious vintage in the Rheinhessen. Aulerde is the lowest altitude and warmest Grand Cru at Wittmann. More clay and less limestone than the other Grand Cru sites. 100% Certified Biodynamic. This is a powerful, fruit-driven dry Riesling redolent of pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, and ripe pineapple.
Laser focused acidity makes for a perfect foil to broiled swordfish, poached halibut, cracked crab or even an Asian chicken salad.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very intense, lemony notes here with dried honeysuckle, apple curd, bright quince and spearmint. There’s a layered, compressed quality to the center palate, despite the impressive power here, and the acidity drives long and pure. Ripe but well-defined on the finish.
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Wine Spectator
Focused and crisp, with notes of singed orange peel and subtle pine accenting the nectarine and Asian pear flavors. White pepper and cardamom hints emerge midpalate and linger on the finish. Shows sufficient concentration, but the acidity needs a bit more time to mellow. Best from 2023 through 2033.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Aulerde Riesling GG is very clear and fine on the nose. The palate is precise, refined and elegant, yet it's not as complex as the 2017. Tasted at the domaine in March 2020.
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.
