2022 Dönnhoff Dellchen Grosses Gewächs Riesling, Nahe

A historic steeply sloping vineyard which Dönnhoff awoke from its slumber. Steep terraces in a hollow with slate and porphyry soils. The vines are about 20 years old and yield about 35hl/ha. 100% selective hand harvest. The must is fermented and the wine matured in classic wooden barrels and stainless steel vats. Vigorously spicy and at the same time dancingly elegant with great depth and a fascinating charisma. “What an exquisite stone fruit nose this super-fine and filigree dry riesling has! Yes, it is also very concentrated, but this and the power are completely underplayed. The result is an almost weightless palate that hangs like a white cloud in the still air. Extraordinary purity and precision at the almost endless finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.

98 points Stuart Pigott jamessuckling.com

With over 250 years of winegrowing history in the back pocket, it is little surprise that the Dönnhoff crew know a thing or two about Riesling. However, Riesling only truly became the focus of the estate under the watchful eye of Hermann Dönnhoff (1880-1953) who was the first to shift the focus, and to extensively plant the world’s greatest grape variety (fact!) in the families’ prized vineyards. A pioneer, as early as the 1920’s, Hermann was also the first in the region to bottle and label wines using very specific vineyard names; names that are now idolised across the entire wine world. The modern-day success of the estate can be attributed to Hermann’s son, the one and only Helmut Dönnhoff, who assumed control in 1971, and who’s tireless work in the vineyards through the decades ensured the estate is now seen as one of the leading lights for Riesling cultivation in the world.

The Nahe has perhaps the most complex tapestry of soils of all the well-known German wine producing regions & Helmut’s intimate knowledge of each site paved the way for the estate to year-on- year produce a spell-binding array of wines from each vintage. Such wines range from a terrific ‘Estate’ wine, that puts many a producers’ top bottlings in the shade; to the bass-driven and cerebral-dry Grossen Gewächse (GGs), hailing from the hallowed turfs of Dellchen, Felsenberg & Hermannshöhle; to the airy and free-flowing Kabinetts from Leistenberg & Krötenpfuhl; all the way through to the breathtaking and unicorn Spätlese & Auslese from the prized monopole Brücke vineyard. Few other estates in the world, if any, master both dry and sweeter style of wines quite like Dönnhoff do and today, with Helmut’s son Cornelius at the helm (who returned to the family estate in 2007) the wines continue to forge a path of excellence, expressing each site to the fullest, whether that be through the guise of powerful dry wines, or sweeter wines of majestic elegance and complexity. We’re incredibly proud to represent the Dönnhoff family and everything that they contribute to the world of Riesling. Many a moment has been spent oohing and aahing over the wines that are poured from the classic Riesling bottles that are adorned with simple yet iconic (and informative) white labels and we know that in the future those oohs and aahs will continue thanks to Cornelius’ deep understanding and intimate knowledge of the vines he is the current custodian of

Dönnhoff Dellchen Grosses Gewächs Riesling from the Nahe is a stunning dry wine crafted by Helmut Dönnhoff, a master winemaker renowned for his precision and dedication to showcasing the region’s unique terroirs. Sourced from the Dellchen vineyard, a Grand Cru site characterized by its steep slopes and volcanic soils, this wine captures the vineyard’s distinct mineral elegance.

In the glass, it presents a pale gold hue. The nose is vibrant and complex, offering aromas of white peach, citrus zest, and green apple, layered with hints of crushed stones and flinty minerality. On the palate, it is both powerful and refined, with concentrated flavors of lime, ripe pear, and a saline finish supported by racy acidity and remarkable length. Built to age, this wine evolves beautifully, revealing greater depth and nuance over time.

Pair it with seared scallops, roasted quail with citrus glaze, or a creamy leek and potato soup for a sophisticated dining experience.