Riesling Hallgartener Hendelberg 1G Erste Lage 2022

Wine Description for Riesling Hallgartener Hendelberg 1G Erste Lage 2022 by Peter Jakob Kühn

Colour & Appearance

Intense straw yellow with brilliant clarity – a wine that already announces its inner tension in the glass.

Nose

This Hendelberg embodies the restrained elegance of the 2022 vintage perfectly. The nose opens with lemongrass and verbena, accompanied by precise citrus notes and the fine herbal character of white tea. Beneath lies a mineral layer of slate, complemented by almonds, a hint of smoke and mint. A composed, concentrated Riesling without any obtrusiveness.

Palate

On the palate, the Hendelberg reveals its true greatness: impressive tension meets elegant creaminess. The texture is fine, yet slightly grippy – a fascinating interplay between weightlessness and earthiness. The vibrant minerality runs through the entire palate, lending the wine that energetic presence which characterises Kühn’s 2022s. With only 11.5% alcohol, it never feels light, but rather concentrated and profound.

Finish

Long, mineral-driven, with persistent citrus freshness and a saline aftertaste that invites the next sip. The acidity is perfectly integrated and carries the aromas far.

Terroir & Origin

The Hallgartener Hendelberg is one of the Rheingau’s premium vineyard sites: 23 hectares on gravelly slate soils with quartzite inclusions and phyllite slate. The steep south-southwest-facing slope with gradients up to 40% reaches 300 metres – ideal conditions for mineral-driven, tension-laden Rieslings.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Riesling, hand-harvested, gentle whole-bunch pressing over several hours. Spontaneous fermentation and 16 months‘ ageing on full lees in traditional double oak cask (2,440 litres) give the wine its creamy texture and depth – biodynamic viticulture in perfection.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Scallops with lemon butter, pike-perch fillet on fennel vegetables, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, goat’s cheese of medium age or classically with sushi and sashimi. The minerality also harmonises beautifully with oysters.

Special Characteristics

A vineyard site wine that embodies Peter Jakob Kühn’s philosophy: precision, terroir expression and biodynamic purity. The 2022 vintage shows itself to be particularly energetic – a Riesling for purists that deserves time, yet fascinates even now.