Königsbacher IDIG Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2022

The Idig is one of the most outstanding vineyards in the Palatinate. Due to the Christmann family's monopoly ownership, it represents the centrepiece of the estate. The wines produced here are among the style-defining wines in the Großes Gewächs category and are celebrated worldwide year after year. As a court estate of the Palatine Electors, our vineyard was first mentioned in documents as early as the 14th century. The monopoly-like size of 4 hectares in a prime location, an absolute speciality, can be traced back to over 400 years of ownership by the Counts Palatine. By Palatinate standards, the vineyard slopes steeply to the south-southeast. However, a gentle wind constantly flows down through the Klausental valley from the Stabenberg, which has a drying effect and keeps the grapes healthy for a long time. The Idig rests on a mighty limestone rock massif, which was formed from limestone deposits after the collapse of the Upper Rhine Graben in the Tertiary period. The topsoil consists of terra fusca, which was formed from limestone and clay. The topsoil contains countless limestones, but also some basalt, which was brought to the vineyard around 150 years ago from the Forster Pechsteinkopf by the von Buhl family, the owners at the time.

100% selective hand-picking into small boxes, spontaneous fermentation in large wooden barrels.

Intensely shining golden yellow.

The 2022 Königsbacher Idig Riesling Grosses Gewächs is still very closed in its youthful stage, the limestone soil on which it was grown is clearly perceptible on the nose. You get the feeling of a hint of mussel shells and sea breeze on the nose, which mingle with ethereal citrus and herbal notes and the haunting aroma of lime blossom and acacia after a longer opening. As usual, the Idig fascinates after a day of opening with subtle flavours reminiscent of wild raspberry and cassis.

Precise and clear, it hits the tongue with vibrant acidity and salty minerality, embedded in a dense framework of fruit and depth. A wine that needs time to develop to its full potential and should be given this time. The patient will be rewarded in a few years with a wine that will rank among the world's great white wines in terms of complexity and finesse. A true monument to a great Riesling from the Palatinate, from Germany and the world!

If you want to enjoy it now, you should definitely decant it and serve it not too cold in a sufficiently large glass.