Riesling Pünderich Kabinett VDP Ortswein 2023

Wine description for Riesling Pünderich Kabinett VDP Ortswein 2023 from Clemens Busch

On the steep slate slopes of the Moselle, where the river bends around a small village called Pünderich, Clemens Busch cultivates Riesling with a dedication that borders on poetry. His Kabinett from 2023 embodies the quintessence of the Moselle landscape - a wine that balances the tension between delicate sweetness and vibrant acidity with a precision that is only possible in the best vintages.

Visual impression

The glass reveals a crystal-clear, radiant straw yellow colour, interspersed with lively green reflections - a visual foreshadowing of the freshness that flows through this wine. The light refracts in the wine like sunbeams on the surface of the Moselle on a clear spring morning.

Nose

The first encounter with the bouquet is a moment of revelation. This is where the Essence of the slate terroir in its purest form - that characteristic mineral tension reminiscent of damp, dark stones after a summer rain. A multi-layered fruit composition hovers above it: juicy grapes in their most original form, ripe peaches that have just been picked from the tree and yellow apples whose skin is still wet with morning dew. A subtle honey note adds depth to the bouquet without ever slipping into heaviness.

Particularly noteworthy is the complex composition of herbs that reflects Clemens Busch's biodynamic approach - lemon balm, fresh thyme, wild mint and a hint of sage form an aromatic mosaic that takes the senses on a hike through the vineyards above Pünderich.

Palate

A fascinating dialectic unfolds on the palate between the 48.8 g/l residual sugar and the striking 9.6 g/l acidity. This tension creates a wine of exceptional balance, in which the sweetness never dominates, but rather serves as a canvas on which the vibrant acid structures and mineral notes can unfold. The fruit flavours of peach and ripe pears are framed by a taut, almost salty minerality that seems to come directly from the slate soil.

With only 8% alcohol, this Kabinett has a lightness and elegance that is reminiscent of the great traditional Mosel Rieslings - a welcome return at a time when climatic changes often lead to higher alcohol levels. The finish is impressively long, characterised by a fine herbal note and that unmistakable slate minerality that seems to echo the landscape.

General information

This VDP local wine represents Clemens Busch's deep understanding of the rhythm of nature. The grapes were harvested at the beginning of the harvest, at that precise moment when ripeness and acidity are in perfect balance. The fermentation was stopped at around 7.5% alcohol through careful cooling - a technique that requires the utmost precision and which Busch has mastered to perfection.

2023 proved to be a vintage of remarkable quality on the Moselle, making it possible to produce Kabinett wines with a classic style - light, playful and with that characteristic tension between sweetness and acidity that makes this category so distinctive.

Food pairing suggestions

The lively acidity and fine residual sweetness predestine this Riesling for a variety of culinary encounters. It harmonises wonderfully with Curried chicken thighs with grilled green asparagus and hollandaise sauceThe fruity sweetness of the wine softens the flavour of the curry, while the acidity cuts through the creaminess of the sauce.

A surprisingly elegant connection is created with a Fennel, orange and mint salad - the ethereal notes of fennel correspond with the herbal spiciness of the wine, while the citrus flavours of the orange blend with the lively acidity of the Riesling.

For lovers of traditional cuisine, the lukewarm pressed head with small lettuce leaves, radishes and mustard vinaigrette The acidity of the wine balances the fattiness of the meat, while the subtle sweetness forms a delightful contrast to the spiciness of the mustard.

This Riesling is a contemporary witness to a winemaking tradition that has been cultivated on the Moselle for centuries, interpreted by the sensitive hand of a winemaker who speaks the language of his vineyards fluently. It is not just a wine to savour, but an invitation to experience the unique landscape of the Moselle through the prism of one of its most eloquent interpreters.