Riesling Marienburg Grosses Gewächs „Fahrlay“ 2023

Wine Description for Riesling Marienburg Grosses Gewächs „Fahrlay“ 2023 by Clemens Busch

Character

Clemens Busch ranks among the absolute elite of Mosel winemakers, and his Grosses Gewächse from the steep slate slopes of Marienburg are world-class terroir interpretations. The Fahrlay vineyard site produces Rieslings of crystalline precision – wines that, despite their youthful freshness, already display an impressive mineral depth. The biodynamically managed vineyard delivers vintages year after year that prioritise tension and elegance over power and opulence.

Terroir & Origin

The Marienburg near Pünderich ranks among the most extraordinary terroirs of the Mosel. The Fahrlay sits on blue Devonian slate in an extremely steep position – a soil that gives Riesling its distinctive saline minerality and vibrant acidity structure. Clemens Busch, a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture on the Mosel, works here with minimal yields and allows the vines to root deeply. The cooler microclimate of the vineyard site ensures long ripening periods and thus complex aromatic development whilst maintaining freshness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling finds its noblest expression on slate, and Busch masterfully understands how to interpret this connection. His uncompromisingly dry Grosses Gewächse are fermented with natural yeasts and age on fine lees, which imparts additional texture and complexity. The maturation takes place without cosmetic interventions – Busch trusts in the power of the vineyard. The result is Rieslings that combine precision with soul, wines with a long future ahead that already fascinate when young, yet can age for decades.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A wine of this calibre deserves thoughtful accompaniment: scallops with cauliflower purée, pike-perch on leek vegetables or calf’s sweetbread with morels. The saline minerality harmonises beautifully with oysters or smoked trout. The Fahrlay also demonstrates its versatility alongside mature Comté or goat’s cheese.