Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2024

Wine Description for Gimmeldinger Meerspinne Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2024 by Christmann

Colour & Appearance

Pale straw yellow, clear and luminous in the glass – a wine that signals precision and purity from the very first glance.

Nose

The nose is characterised by a fascinating mineral depth: wet stone, petrichor and crushed oyster shells dominate, underpinned by a hint of smoke and fine herbal notes. These are joined by vibrant citrus accents – salted lemon and limequat peel – as well as restrained fruit notes of pear and apple and a subtle hint of almond biscuits. Purism at its finest.

Palate

On the palate, a Grosses Gewächs of extraordinary finesse and energy unfolds. Purist, yet far from austere: the dancing fruit is carried by a razor-sharp, crystalline acidity, whilst salt and piquant, mouth-watering notes – almost like fresh ginger – lend the wine an electrifying tension. Elegant and gripping in equal measure.

Finish

Long, saline and suffused with a vibrant minerality. The finish resolves fresh and precise – with that unmistakable character that distinguishes great Palatinate Rieslings from the rest.

Terroir & Origin

The Meerspinne is an ancient vineyard site within the Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten – that part which stands so qualitatively far above the rest of the vineyard that Christmann consistently declares it as an independent Grosses Gewächs. The soil of limestone and coloured sandstone marl over solid limestone bedrock is the foundation of this pronounced minerality. Low yields of only around 40 hl/ha ensure concentrated, characterful grapes.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling, vinified with the courage to embrace reduction: the whole bunches were crushed and, after an extended maceration period, slowly pressed – a method that imparts texture and depth. The subsequent spontaneous fermentation at warm temperatures and ageing on the lees in a large wooden barrel until bottling lend the wine complexity and that characteristic spice. Alcohol: 12.0% vol., dry.

Food Pairing Recommendations

An ideal companion to grilled turbot with beurre blanc, oysters and fine seafood. Equally harmonious with goat’s cheese with herbs, sushi and sashimi or a classic Wiener Schnitzel – whose acidity interplay with the wine creates a classic, unbeatable combination.

Special Features

The Meerspinne is Christmann’s flagship Grosses Gewächs in Gimmeldingen and one of the most compelling arguments for the limestone soils of the Palatinate. The 2024 vintage already demonstrates remarkable expressiveness – a wine with the potential to age gracefully for many years and gain in depth.