Marks and reviews
Description
The estate
With a rich wine heritage spanning more than a thousand years, Schloss Johannisberg is one of Germany's finest wine producers. Founded in the 12th century as a Benedictine monastery, the estate then entered an unsettled period due to the troubled political and economic history that Germany experienced for several centuries. Paradoxically, these challenging times enabled Schloss Johannisberg to rise from the ashes in an even more brilliant and prosperous manner: all the land was planted with Riesling vines, making the estate the first and one of the finest walled vineyards of this variety in the world.
The vineyard
A benchmark among fine Rheingau wines, this 2019 Riesling Goldlack Trocken by Schloss Johannisberg stems from a 50-hectare single vineyard of south-facing terraces. The soil is rich in quartz and silt, providing the Riesling grapes with a beautiful minerality.
The vintage
The particularly hot and dry conditions of 2018 led to considerable water stress at the beginning of 2019. Despite a scorching summer, the grapes harvested boasted a high quality.
Vinification and ageing
Harvested by hand, the grapes undergo a 24-hour maceration before a gentle pressing. Fermentation in oak barrels from the château's woods. Subsequent ageing on lees for 30 months in the estate's underground cellars, located 9 metres below ground and stored at a constant temperature of 10.5°C.
The blend
Riesling (100%).
The tasting
Nose
The expressive nose blends fruity fragrances (juicy pear, sweet mirabelle plum, ripe grapefruit and red apple) with liquorice, oak and hazelnut notes.
Palate
Complex and revealing a lively minerality, the palate exudes an alluring aromatic richness, structure and persistence.
Food and wine pairing
This Riesling Goldlack Trocken 2019 by Schloss Johannisberg will complement meat (veal fillet), vegetables (pointed cabbage) or truffles.
Service
For an optimal tasting, decant the wine before serving it between 10 and 12°C.