Sonnenberg Silvaner -Gelbkalk- trocken VDP Erste Lage 2024

Wine Description for Sonnenberg Silvaner -Gelbkalk- trocken VDP Erste Lage 2024 from Luckert – Zehnthof

Colour & Appearance

Luminous straw yellow with greenish shimmering reflections – a typical expression of youthful freshness and cool minerality.

Nose

Here the terroir speaks volumes. The Sonnenberg presents itself with strong character and site-specific expression, featuring pronounced chalk and yeast notes, which lay a creamy, doughy foundation of salt dough, chalk and fine yeast. The fruit remains subtle and controlled: grilled pineapple, ripe peach, Conference pear and a hint of green mango. Fascinating is the spice palette of allspice, caraway, anise, coriander seed and fennel, which lends the wine balsamic depth. Subtle notes of corn and yellow carrot complement the earthy, charming profile, whilst a fine smoky note and the chalky freshness of the soil bind everything into a purist whole.

Palate

Pure energy. The Silvaner presents itself forceful, taut and charged with tension, carried by a notably lively acidity (5.8 g/l) for the variety. A fascinating interplay between creamy texture and clear linearity keeps the drinking flow consistently high. The saline, chalky texture gains presence with every sip, the yeast remains subtly perceptible. The bright herbal and spice notes from the nose return with precision, particularly coriander seed and anise linger long.

Finish

Long, saline-mineral and characterised by rhythmic tension. The chalky texture and spicy notes resonate sustainably – demanding, clear and deeply rooted in the Gelbkalk.

Terroir & Origin

The Sulzfeld Sonnenberg is a VDP.Erste Lage with south-facing vineyard parcels on upper shell limestone and yellow weathered chalk bands – the eponymous Gelbkalk character is distinctly perceptible. The vines are between 44 and 52 years old, with yields at a moderate 50 hl/ha.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Silvaner pure, traditionally aged in large wooden cask with spontaneous fermentation. The Franconian dry style (1.1 g/l residual sugar) and the present acidity create a wine of classical character and distinctive personality.

Food Pairing Recommendations

An ideal companion to char, pike-perch or trout, classically with Franconian roast pork, calf sweetbreads or asparagus dishes with brown butter. Also an excellent choice with goat’s cheese and aged Comté.

Special Characteristics

A Silvaner of rhythmic tension and purist clarity – a reliable cornerstone in the portfolio of Luckert-Zehnthof, which year after year impressively expresses the power of Franconian chalk.