Riesling trocken 2023

Wine description for Riesling dry 2023 from Clemens Busch

On the steep slate slopes of the Moselle, where the vines literally have to cling to the rocks, Clemens Busch cultivates his Riesling grapes with a dedication that borders on obsession. His dry estate wine from 2023 is no mere entry-level product, but rather a precise calling card for the estate - a wine that bears the unmistakable signature of a winemaker who has been working consistently biodynamically for decades and gives the terroir of Pünderich a voice.

Visual impression

In the glass, the wine presents itself in a clear, bright straw yellow with characteristic green reflections - a visual announcement of the freshness that permeates this Riesling. The light refracts in the glass like sunbeams on the surface of the Moselle on a clear spring morning.

Nose

The aromas unfold with the restrained elegance that characterises great Moselle Rieslings. The slate character is immediately recognisable - not intrusive, but as a fundamental component of this wine's DNA. A vibrant energy pervades the nose, carried by precise fruit flavours: white peachcrisp Nashi pear, yellow apple and sun-kissed Mirabelle plums. A subtle citrus component from the Grapefruit and Bergamotwhich gives the wine a cool, tart freshness.

Particularly impressive is the multi-layered herbal flavour that unfolds after a few moments in the glass - a whole garden of herbs and spices. Chervil, Lemon balm, Lemon thyme, Sage, Mint and Coriander. This aromatic complexity is not the result of cellar technology, but the authentic reflection of a vineyard in which nature is allowed to flourish in all its diversity.

Palate

On the palate, this Riesling displays remarkable precision and straightforwardness. The Busch family - Clemens and his son Johannes - demonstrate here that they strive for uncompromising quality even in an estate wine. The wine possesses high pressure and a vibrant freshness that makes it appear like a taut bow.

The green, herbal aromas continue and are now accompanied by a striking mineral component - stony, earthy, unmistakably characterised by slate. The acidity is razor-sharp, but never aggressive; it is perfectly integrated into the interplay with the restrained fruit. With only 10.5% alcohol and a minimal residual sweetness of 5.7 g/l with 7.9 g/l acidity, this is a wine of remarkable lightness and finesse - an archetype of what the Moselle has to offer in its best form.

The artisanal approach - a short maceration period for stability and structure, fermentation partly in traditional vats and partly in modern steel tanks - gives the wine a complexity that goes far beyond its price range. The long, herb-influenced finish reveals the true greatness of this seemingly simple wine - a Riesling that sets standards in its category.

General information

Winery: Clemens Busch, a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture on the Moselle
Origin: Exclusively from our own vineyards in Pünderich, Mosel, Germany
Vintage: 2023
Grape variety: 100% Riesling
Alcohol content: 10.5% Vol.
Residual sugar: 5,7 g/l
Acid: 7,9 g/l

Food pairing suggestions

The vibrant acidity and mineral precision of this Riesling predestine it as an accompaniment to Oysters and raw sea fish. It also harmonises wonderfully with Goat cheese or a classic Tarte flambée. The herbal component makes it the ideal partner for Asparagus with hollandaise or Vegetable tartes. For an authentic Moselle experience, serve it with fried perch with Herb butter and Parsley potatoes.