Mäushöhle am Kirchenberg 2022

Wine description for Mäushöhle am Kirchenberg 2022 by Michael Andres

Colour & Appearance

Bright pale straw yellow with lively green reflections – a wine that signals freshness and youthfulness even in the glass.

Nose

The nose is a small cabinet of aromas from the cooler Palatinate Riesling school. Green and yellow apple dominate, flanked by an impressive herb palette: lemon balm, lemon thyme, coriander and lemongrass lend the wine an almost Mediterranean freshness. To this are added kaffir lime leaves, juicy lime zest and a delicate note of nashi pear. In the background, pea shoots and fennel seed resonate – ethereal, vegetal, remarkably vibrant.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals itself as precise and unadorned. It flows cool and clear, almost mountain-stream-pure, with a distinctive herbal edge that deliberately pushes the fruit into the background and instead brings the mineral, stony side of the Riesling to the fore. The acidity structure is moderate, yet character-defining – it gives the wine backbone without harshness. Fine bitter compounds keep everything in balance and lend it a pleasant tension.

Finish

Long, dry and mineral-herbal. The finish is both demanding and inviting – a Riesling that lingers and calls you back for the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The Kirchenberg in the Palatinate is a vineyard site that gives Riesling its stony, clear character. Michael Andres interprets this terroir with remarkable directness – no artifice, no softening, but pure Palatinate.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Riesling, vinified dry, at 12.0 % vol. – a wine that deliberately prioritises elegance and precision over richness. The 2022 vintage brings sufficient ripe aromatics without sacrificing freshness.

Food Pairing Suggestions

An ideal companion to asparagus with herb vinaigrette, grilled pike-perch with caper butter, Asian herb salads or simply with Palatinate Saumagen – the herbal character of the wine seeks engagement with bold flavours.

Special Features

A Riesling of remarkable character strength at a very moderate price. Those wishing to experience Palatinate Riesling in its direct, uncompromising form will find a convincing example here. Not a wine for compromise – and that is precisely what makes it special.