Riesling Alte Reben „Auf der Mauer“ 2021

Wine Description for Riesling Alte Reben „Auf der Mauer“ 2021 by Barnert & Drewitz

Colour & Appearance

Pale gold with a slight, natural haze – a sign of unadorned bottling without filtration. A wine that doesn’t hide its authenticity.

Nose

A chameleon in the glass, reminiscent of Alsatian fullness. The aromatics shift between ripe apples, mellow pears and quinces, interwoven with beeswax, jasmine and further floral nuances. The nose promises maturity and complexity – a natural wine that takes its time to unfold.

Palate

Surprisingly taut and bone-dry, despite the opulent nose. With only 11.5% alcohol, one might fear leanness, yet the opposite is true: the wine displays slender power, carried by precise extract and vibrant acidity. The aromas of stone fruit and beeswax are accompanied by a mouth-watering salinity that lends tension to the transparent, dense finish.

Finish

Long, mineral and suffused with salty freshness that invites the next sip. The acidity remains present without dominating – a Riesling with grip and elegance.

Terroir & Origin

Steep terraced vineyard sites on the Hessian Bergstraße near Bensheim. The old vines are rooted in weathered granite grus with a high skeletal content – a soil that delivers tension and minerality. A landscape that evokes the Alsace not only visually.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling from old vines, spontaneously fermented and aged in stainless steel. Long lees ageing, bottled unfiltered, minimally sulphited. A natural wine approach that relegated the wine to Starkenburger Landwein status – perhaps too idiosyncratic for the examination committee, but all the more authentic for it.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Bouchot mussels in savoy cabbage papillote with ginger cream, trout with almonds, lemon and parsley or Pad Thai. The salinity and acidity of the wine harmonise beautifully with seafood and Asian flavours. Definitely decant!

Special Features

A Riesling that rewards patience. Unfiltered, minimally sulphited and classified as a regional wine – not despite, but because of its independence, a wine with character and soul.