A crystalline, profoundly mineral Rheingau Riesling from the steep Hallgarten vineyard site of Jungfer – biodynamically farmed, spontaneously fermented and with razor-sharp acidity at the highest level.
Bottler: Winery Peter Jakob Kühn, Mühlstraße 70, 65375 Oestrich-Winkel / Germany
In the glass
Colour
Bright straw yellow with fine green reflections.
Nose
Lime and kaffir lime zest, grapefruit and white peach meet intense herbal notes of lemon balm, chervil and fennel seed – cool, precise and profound.
Palate
A razor-sharp, linear acidity runs through the palate, carried by apple-like fruit and pronounced minerality. Herb-fresh, vibrant and with enormous length.
Character
A Riesling of crystalline clarity and inner tension – aromatic depth meets weightless lightness, cool and energetic at once.
Pairing
Ceviche with lime and coriander, steamed turbot with herb butter, green asparagus with hollandaise sauce.
Notes
Demeter-certified from the VDP.Grossen Lage Jungfer – calcareous terrace sediments with slate and quartz at 200 metres altitude, 16 months on full lees in wooden cask. Significant diurnal temperature variation ensures the vibrant tension inherent to these Grosses Gewächse.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Pale, luminous straw yellow with fine green reflections – clear and cool in the glass.
Nose
Crystalline and taut, like a cold mountain stream. Initially reductive and stony, then hints of fruit emerge: lime and lemon zest, a touch of kaffir lime, grapefruit, and some white peach. Yet herbs dominate: lemon balm, chervil, lemongrass, underpinned by a darker, almost aniseed note of fennel seed.
Palate
A razor-sharp, linear acidity cuts through the palate, creating a fine astringency. The apple component is striking – reminiscent of chewing on red and yellow apple skins, bundling phenolics, acidity and fruit at equal intensity. The minerality is bright and precise, carrying the wine with energy and an almost weightless structure.
Finish
Long, vibrant and herb-fresh. The inner tension lingers – less fruit than pure energy.
Terroir & origin
The Jungfer vineyard site lies at around 200 metres east of Hallgarten, facing southeast with a twelve per cent gradient. Calcareous terrace sediments interspersed with phyllite schist and quartz define the subsoil. Pronounced diurnal temperature variation creates the vibrant tension that distinguishes this wine. The Peter Jakob Kühn estate in Oestrich-Winkel has been farmed according to Demeter guidelines since 2009 – long dismissed in the conservative Rheingau, yet today unquestionably among the very best.
Grape variety & vinification
Pure Riesling. The whole bunches are gently pressed, and fermentation takes place spontaneously with natural yeasts. Sixteen months’ ageing on the full lees in a traditional Stückfass cask. With 3.6 grams of residual sugar and 7.6 grams of acidity, this is a dry Grosses Gewächs of positively dancing balance.
Food recommendations
The cool herbal spice and taut acidity call for precise cuisine: ceviche with lime and coriander, steamed turbot with fennel, asparagus with hollandaise sauce or Thai curry with lemongrass. Also an outstanding choice with sushi and smoked trout.
Special characteristics
A Grosses Gewächs that unites depth with lightness – aromatically complex yet never heavy. The combination of biodynamic viticulture, gentle pressing and extended lees ageing yields a Riesling that reveals its origins in schist and quartz with transparency and authenticity.
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