Riesling Sankt Nikolaus Grosses Gewächs 2023

Wine Description for Riesling Sankt Nikolaus Grosses Gewächs 2023 by Peter Jakob Kühn

Colour & Appearance

Luminous straw yellow with sharp green reflections, extremely bright and refined in the glass.

Nose

An aristocratic, purist bouquet reminiscent of the freshness of a cool mountain stream. Citrus zests such as bergamot, kaffir lime and grapefruit meet delicate traces of green pear. Revealed behind these are ethereal meadow herbs – lemon balm, lemon thyme and sage – backed by a whispering hint of shortbread.

Palate

Slender, highly elegant and yet driven by tremendous inner strength. At just 12% alcohol, a microscopic 3.3 g/l residual sugar and a polished acidity of 7.2 g/l, the wine leaves a gripping, racy trail on the palate. The cool herbal freshness dictates the dynamics, supported by a calm, deep minerality.

Finish

Persistent, crystal-clear and of remarkable length. The aftertaste remains vibrant, mineral and energetic.

Terroir & Origin

The Sankt Nikolaus parcel is located in the Rheingau directly on the riverbank, gently sloping towards the south. The soil consists of lime-rich, sandy loess with fossilised terrace sediments. At 45 to 65 years old, this site is home to the estate’s oldest vines, which are cultivated in accordance with Demeter guidelines.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Riesling. Following gentle whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation takes place using natural yeasts. The generation of Peter Bernhard and Viktoria Kühn age the wine for 16 months on the full lees in traditional oak casks (Stückfass and Doppelstückfass).

Food Pairings

An inspired match for pan-fried pike-perch on lentils, scallop sashimi or ceviche with coriander.

Key Features

A stylistic masterpiece of biodynamic viticulture: despite its delicate stature, the ancient vines lend this monumental Riesling a breathtaking depth entirely devoid of opulence.