Steiner Riesling 17-23

Wine Description for Steiner Riesling 17-23 by Schätzel

Colour & Appearance

Luminous lemon yellow with a hint of gold – bright, vibrant reflections reveal the depth that awaits in the glass.

Nose

A nose that immediately stands out from the crowd – and therein lies its strength. Barely any fruit, instead extraordinary calm and precision. Delicate hints of nashi pear and lime zest accompany the characteristic leaves of kaffir lime. Beneath lies a stony, almost mineral profundity that opens the wine without giving it away. Dried herbs – oregano, marjoram, mint – and an unmistakable note of sencha tea lend it a meditative complexity. Subtle, yes – but of rare expressive power.

Palate

Structured and demanding from the first sip. Fine tannins and palpable grip set the tone – austere and forceful at once. A pleasant bitter note maintains the tension and invites you to take another sip. Those who engage with this wine will be rewarded.

Finish

Long, consistent, fresh. Barely any fruit in the finish – instead ethereal herbal spice and a mineral austerity that lingers. A finish that poses questions and invites contemplation.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the top vineyard sites of the legendary Roter Hang in Rheinhessen – Ölberg, Hipping and Pettenthal. The characteristic Rotliegende, a red slate and sandstone rock, shapes the stony depth and mineral tension of the wine. Steep to very steep hillside vineyards, some cultivated in the pergola system and in protective shade – conditions that enforce concentration and distinctive character.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Riesling, aged according to a unique solera method over six vintages (2017–2023). The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-crushed and cold-macerated for 24 hours. Spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, followed by maturation under flor yeast in 1,200- and 5,000-litre barrels – averaging 32 months. With only 11.0% alcohol and a dry orientation, this is a wine that understands time as a raw material.

Food Pairing Recommendations

This wine demands partners of equal standing: oysters and raw seafood, yellowfin tuna sashimi, scallops with herb oil or a simple goat’s cheese plateau. Japanese cuisine too – such as tempura or dashi-based broths – harmonises wonderfully with its austere, ethereal freshness.

Special Characteristics

A wine that defies any simple categorisation. The combination of solera ageing, flor yeast maturation and the extraordinary terroir of the Roter Hang makes the Steiner Riesling 17-23 one of the most idiosyncratic and exciting Rieslings in Germany – a work that rewards patience and boldly ignores convention.

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