Riesling Sankt Nikolaus Grosses Gewächs 2023

Wine Description for Riesling Sankt Nikolaus Grosses Gewächs 2023 by Peter Jakob Kühn

Colour & Appearance

Luminous straw yellow with precise green reflections – pale, clear and of flawless transparency.

Nose

Crystal clear and pure in tone, almost archetypal in its Riesling precision. A cool, stony depth reminiscent of a mountain stream – pure, unmediated mineral water. Above this unfolds bergamot zest, kaffir lime, grapefruit and a hint of freshly cut green pear. Fine botanical freshness follows: lemon balm, lemon thyme, sage, chervil. A subtle whisper of butter biscuits sets a delicate, restrained counterpoint. Structure rather than volume – deep without any opulence.

Palate

Enormously lean and racy, yet powerfully gripping – remarkable for just 12% alcohol. The acidity is razor-sharp and engages in thrilling tension with the fruit. Herbal freshness runs through the entire progression, driving the wine forward with high elegance and vital energy. Everything feels subtle, unforced, at rest within itself.

Finish

Sustained, clearly defined and carried by fine, quiet minerality. A timeless finish that prioritises length and precision over fullness.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Sankt Nikolaus lies directly on the Rhine bank in the Rheingau, gently sloping towards the south. Beneath the surface: calcareous, sandy loess with terrace sediments from the primordial sea – a soil that shapes both tension and minerality in equal measure.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling from 45 to 65-year-old vines – the oldest in the estate. Gentle whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, followed by 16 months maturation on full lees in traditional Stück (1,200 l) and Doppelstück (2,400 l) barrels. Lean 3.3 g/l residual sugar meets a vibrant acidity of 7.2 g/l – a balance of flawless tension.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Ideal with grilled turbot with herb butter, scallops on pea purée, freshwater crayfish or a classic pike-perch on Riesling foam. Also a natural choice with fine goat’s cheese variations or an elegant asparagus menu.

Special Characteristics

A Grosses Gewächs in the truest sense: not a loud wine, but a quiet one of inner greatness. Peter Jakob Kühn is among the most consistent biodynamic producers in the Rheingau – and the Sankt Nikolaus 2023 is impressive evidence of what old vines, extraordinary terroir and artisanal humility can achieve together.