Dönnhoff - Dellchen Riesling GG 2014
Pairing Suggestions
Dönnhoff - Dellchen Riesling GG 2014 (93 TSW)
The best choice for these temperatures in the Netherlands
The Dönnhoff family arrived in the Nahe region over 200 years ago, and their modest farm slowly evolved into a wine estate. Helmut Dönnhoff had been making the wine since 1966, and now his son Cornelius is the 4th generation to run this historic winery and their 25ha of Grand Cru vineyards.
Although the Nahe is a dry region, Dönnhoff does not water their vineyards as to encourage deep rooted vines. The soil is covered with organic material like straw and compost to preserve water and to avoid evaporation and erosion in heavy rains.
The vines are all grown on wireframes, low to the ground to benefit from the warmth of the stoney topsoil, and at a density of approx. 6000 vines per hectare. The Riesling vines are old clones sourced from the sites in Niederhausen and Schloßböckelheim.
The vineyard - Dellchen:
Steep cliffs of extrusive igneous rock (porphyry and melaphyre) rise directly from the banks of the River Nahe between Norheim and Niederhausen. Between those cliffs are small hollows, known in the local dialect as “Dellchen”. The slate soils here are mixed with the stony precipitate sedimentary rock of the adjacent volcanic cliffs. The extremely steep, perfectly south-facing slope is terraced by dry stone walls that demand a rigorous level of labor-intensive care. Protected by the surrounding cliffs, the Riesling grapes enjoy an extremely long hang time and year for year achieve perfect levels of ripeness.
Partial fermentation and aging in steel and partial in wooden barrels.
My tasting notes:
In the glass a bright golden yellow color.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of green apple, grapefruit and ripe peach with hints of honey, lemon and nutty hints.
On the palate dry, medium bodied with medium(+) acidity and nice freshness. Great balance and complexity with a beautiful round mouthfeel. Every sip makes you want to finish the whole bottle.