Schlossberg 2019

The Odinstal vineyard is a small enclave occupying five hectares high above Wachenheim an der Weinstraße. Due to the Rhine rift valley, in the Palatinate, a wide variety of rock forms are generally found on the surface in a very small space. At Odinstal, this phenomenon is so concentrated that four primary rocks are found here in direct proximity to each other - basalt, shell limestone, Keuper and mottled sandstone. Andreas Schumann and his team want to exploit precisely this diversity and clearly highlight the differences.

The Schlossberg stands directly above the Wachtenburg in Wachenheim and is steeply exposed to the south. The cuvee consists of 80 percent Rieslaner and 20 percent Riesling. In the past, this vineyard was often used as a basis for residual sweet or noble sweet predicates.

Sparkling golden yellow, dark reflections

The nose is quite restrained at first, can hardly be grasped. Floury apples, pear tart with short pastry, butter cookies and a little candied ginger strongly suggest a bakery. Dried stone fruit such as apricots and figs are also noticeable. After candied orange and lemon zest, some Granny Smith and lemon balm also emerge with increasing oxygenation; these remain the only green flavours in this deep yellow spectacle.

Overall, the wine seems profound and mysterious because it is not yet able to reveal too much.

On the palate, the Riesling ties in seamlessly with the sensory impressions of Tarte Tatin, with a little caramelized quince jelly, candied zest and dried fruit. On the palate, the cuvée of Rieslaner and Riesling comes across as punchy and full-bodied. The acidity is essential to maintain the freshness in the wine. Extremely dark and with a slight spiciness, the Riesling nails itself to the palate.