Königsbacher Ölberg Riesling VDP Erste Lage 2016

The Ölberg, like the Idig, belongs to the sites in Königsbach that are characterized by Tertiary limestone marl. The topsoil contains red sandstone rubble. The Riesling was harvested in November, free of botrytis. It was left on the skins for up to six hours, spontaneously fermented and, like all Christmann wines, fermented down to 2 grams of residual sugar and aged in large double barrels and stainless steel.

light golden yellow

Restrained and taut, the Mount of Olives in the nose. Fruit, even if it can be guessed, does not play such a big role here. The wine shows itself rather herbaceous, earthy and reminds a little of nettles, boxwood and ivy, whereas the typical apricot and peach only play a minor role. The picture is rounded off by a smoky, flinty note.

On the palate, however, the stone fruit is much more present. The Mount of Olives shows its ripe yet taut side, which is permeated by a lively, vibrant acidity and accompanied by fine tannin, which gives Christmann's wines a nice grip on the palate throughout. Herbs also play a role here, saltiness - though it may be the current buzzword - is quite evident here. The Ölberg may always be a little overshadowed by the neighboring Idig, but those who take the wine for themselves will have a juicy, grippy and deep wine in the glass here, which is just at the beginning of its development and definitely plays on the level of the Großes Gewächse and is hardly inferior to the Idig in its complexity and depth.