2016 Merk Riesling Kabinett Dry, Pfalz

2016 Merk Riesling Kabinett Dry is a beautiful snapshot of the Pfalz, one of Germany’s sunniest and most generous wine regions, where Riesling ripens with both richness and precision. The vineyards lie on gently sloping foothills of the Haardt Mountains, with soils of sandstone, limestone and loess that give the wines a distinctive mix of stone fruit generosity and mineral tension. The Merk family has been farming here for generations, quietly crafting Rieslings that focus on clarity of fruit and honest expression of their sites rather than showy winemaking. Kabinett in the Pfalz is often drier and more structured than in the Mosel, and this 2016 dry style shows that beautifully.

The wine pours a pale straw colour, opening with aromas of lime, yellow peach, apple blossom and a subtle smoky, stony note. On the palate it is crisp yet gently rounded, delivering citrus and orchard fruit with a fine mineral grip and a refreshing, dry finish that keeps it very drinkable. It is perfect with seafood, schnitzel, salads and Asian inspired dishes, and it also has the balance to age for ten years or more, gaining honeyed, nutty and savoury complexity as it evolves.