Schloss Vollrads, “Schlossberg” Grosses Gewachs Rheingau Riesling 2019 Schloss Vollrads

Get to know: Schloss Vollrads, “Schlossberg” Grosses Gewachs Rheingau Riesling 2019

Tasting Note

This superb dry Grosses Gewächs Riesling is sourced from the VDP Schlossberg vineyard. The low yielding vines here are between thirty and forty years old and the vineyard slopes are all south-facing, allowing them to capture the best sunshine and resulting in wines with intense body, fantastic structure and backbone. On the nose, it is vibrant and aromatic, with a fine spiciness, white flowers, and stony minerality. A full-bodied wine, the palate offers hints of beeswax and hay, well integrated oak and a long mineral finish.

This would be delicious with pork belly with apple sauce.

Kate Says

“A serious beast. It’s intense on the palate, crisp with apple fruit, subtle cooked apple, there’s a smoky spiciness about it, yet it’s very precise in its delivery. There’s a textural acidity keeping everything superbly focused. One to decant, one to age, one to savour… maybe over a few days.”

Producer Info

Schloss Vollrads, one of the oldest wine estates in the world, has been making wine in the Rheingau since the 13th century (with the first sales document for wine dating back to 1211). In 1716, the world’s first Kabinett was produced at Schloss Vollrads, and over 300 years on the estate is still going from strength to strength under the watchful eye of Dr. Rowald Hepp. After almost 22 years as estate director, Rowald has kept an advisory role after handing over the responsibility to Ralf Bengel in 2021.

The 63 hectares of Riesling vineyards are located between the Rhine and the forest-clad hills that shelter the vines from cooling winds that descend from the north, so it is slightly warmer here than in the more southerly Rheinhessen. 21 hectares of vineyard are classified as ‘Grosse Lage’ (‘Grand Cru’), the very best quality classification in Germany, and the soils are a mixture of weathered slate, loam, clay and loess. Strict pruning and crop thinning to reduce yields by up to 40% below the legal requirement contribute to the quality of the fruit.