Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling VDP Erste Lage 2022

The VDP Erste Lage Reiterpfad is located directly above Deidesheim on a hillside and is famous for its Riesling wines. Its name comes from its lordly owner, the Prince-Bishop of Speyer, Lord of Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg.

With its 60 hectares, the Reiterpfad forms a large terrace that slopes only slightly to the east-south-east, formed over thousands of years from red sandstone rubble from the Haardt Mountains. The best plots are located to the west of the wine route in the Hofstück. Only this area is still classified as a VDP Grosse Lage as of 2014, the rest of the Reiterpfad has been downgraded to a VDP Erste Lage.

The distance of the farmstead from the edge of the mountain, together with its exposed position, leads to a very long period of sunshine, from early morning until late evening. Moreover, since the Haardt Mountains are very closed from Ruppertsberg to Wachenheim, the vineyards are also very sheltered from the wind. Thus, the Reiterpfad vineyard is the warmest vineyard in the Christmann estate.

The Reiterpfad-Hoftsück VDP Grosses Gewächs is harvested in one or two further passes after the pre-harvest, whereby the grapes are harvested at the optimum time under strict selection of only fully ripe, healthy berries. The yields here are generally only 40 hl/ha, so that the grapes achieve an optimal fullness of flavour. The grapes, which are carefully transported to the press house as whole bunches, are crushed and then gently and slowly pressed after a short maceration period of 3-6 hours. The must is only slightly pre-clarified by settling overnight and then fermented spontaneously with the vineyard's own yeasts. Unfined and untreated, the wine matures for a long time on the lees and fine yeast in stainless steel and large, classic wooden barrels until bottling.

Medium golden yellow with green reflections

The 2022 Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling GG Riesling VDP Erste Lage is still closed in its youthful stage. Only with sufficient oxygen contact do fine notes of citrus, green apple and elderflower emerge from the glass through the tightly woven terroir. Delicate exotic hints of young pineapple, ginger and coriander also emerge. It heralds pure Riesling freshness combined with cool finesse.

On the palate, it is characterised by a fine tartness reminiscent of grapefruit and a wonderfully refreshing acidity. It plays, it dances on the tongue and is clear as a bell and extremely invigorating. Christmann has succeeded in catapulting this Riesling with such concentration and power into the glass in such an elegant and floating manner.

If you want to savour it in its youthful stage, you should definitely decant it and serve it not too cold in a sufficiently large glass.