Van Volxem - Alte Reben Riesling 2018

Van Volxem - Alte Reben Riesling 2018 (89 TSW)

This weekend we enjoyed asparagus with codfish and this well made Riesling from the Saar wine region.

This Riesling is rightly called "old vines - alte reben," because the small berries come from 120-year-old vines.

The viticulture of the Saar is relatively small with 800 hectares of vineyards. At the place where the Saar flows into the Mosel, the grape variety Riesling predominates. Almost 80 percent of the vines are planted with this variety. Despite the relatively small wine-growing area, the best and most mineral-rich Rieslings in the world are produced here. The secret of the Saar is the 400 million year old slate soils. The bare and fertile steep slopes are mainly south-facing. As a result, the climate is somewhat colder than on the Moselle. This ensures light white wines that are perfectly balanced.

The foundation stone of today's Van Volxem winery was laid in the 3rd century. It only got its original name when it was disconnected from the church and taken over by the Brussels brewer Gustav van Volxem. He immediately saw the potential of the vineyards in the steep slope of the Saar, which are among the best slate vineyards in the world. The selected grapes are gently pressed after the manual harvest and then spontaneously fermented in large wooden barrels. The maturation takes place for six to seven months in stainless steel tanks. The long storage on the fine lees gives the wine extra complexity and creaminess.

My tasting notes.

In the glass a medium citrus yellow color.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of citrus, white peach and apricot with hints of herbs, green apple, honey and a swif of petrol.
On the palate dry, medium bodied with medium(+) acidity and smooth mouthfeel. Flavours of apple, grapefruit, citrus, iron, light vanilla. The finish has a medium length.