Riesling Zellerweg am Schwarzen Herrgott Grosses Gewächs 2017 1500ml

Wine Description for Riesling Zellerweg am Schwarzen Herrgott Grosses Gewächs 2017 1500ml by Battenfeld-Spanier

Colour & Appearance

A clear, medium straw yellow with brilliant reflections.

Nose

Dark, profound and characterised by radical minerality. This Riesling redefines the term “Liquid Earth”. It opens only reluctantly, gradually revealing cool citrus fruit, crushed stone and maritime notes of oyster shell and iodine. Behind this lie dried herbs and an almost atypical, yet fascinating hint of dark berries.

Palate

On the palate, enormous tension and an almost physical pressure emerge. Smoky limestone minerality meets a razor-sharp, crystal-clear acidity that vibrates like a 9-volt battery on the tongue. Despite this intensity, the wine feels “laid-back” and at rest within itself, much like a great jazz musician. Bitter citrus notes and ripe mirabelle plum are underpinned by a distinctive tannin structure and earthy depth.

Finish

Long, saline and extremely precise. The stony texture resonates for minutes and leaves an impression of cool freshness and purist elegance.

Terroir & Origin

The Zellerweg am Schwarzen Herrgott is one of Germany’s oldest and most exciting vineyard sites. Located on the border between Rheinhessen and the Palatinate, the vines are rooted here on slopes up to 40% steep, on almost pure limestone.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Ideal with mussels cooked en papillote with ginger and lime, roasted calf’s liver in marjoram jus or earthy dishes such as Jerusalem artichoke with wild mushrooms.

Special Features

A monumental Riesling in 1500ml magnum format that demands patience. It is still in its infancy and will continue to gain complexity over the coming decades.