Christmann | Pfalz | Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling VDP Erste Lage | 2022 | 750ml | bio

Beschreibung

Product description for Christmann Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling VDP Erste Lage 2022 (bio)

Wine Information

The VDP Erste Lage Reiterpfad vineyard lies directly above Deidesheim on a hillside and is famous for its Riesling wines. Its name comes from its lordly owner, the Prince-Bishop of Speyer, Lord of Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg. The Reiterpfad, with its 60 hectares, forms a large, gently east-southeast-sloping terrace, formed over thousands of years from red sandstone scree from the Haardt Mountains. The best parcels are located west of the Wine Route in the Hofstück vineyard. As of 2014, only this area is still classified as a VDP.Grosse Lage vineyard; the rest of the Reiterpfad vineyard was downgraded to a VDP.Ersten Lage vineyard. The distance of the Hofstück vineyard from the edge of the mountain, combined with its exposed location, results in very long periods of sunshine, from early morning until late evening. Furthermore, since the Haardt Mountains are very enclosed from Ruppertsberg to Wachenheim, the vineyards are also very sheltered from the wind. The Reiterpfad farm is the warmest vineyard in the Christmann family.

Information on Vinification

The Reiterpfad-Hoftsück VDP Grosses Gewächs is harvested after the pre-harvest in one or two further rounds, with the grapes being harvested at the optimal time under strict selection of only fully ripe, healthy berries. Yields here are typically only 40 hl/ha, so that the grapes achieve an optimal fullness of flavour. The berries are carefully transported to the winery as whole bunches. mashed and then, after a not-too-long maceration time of 3-6 hours, gently and slowly pressed. By settling overnight, the must is only slightly pre-clarified and then fermented spontaneously with the vineyard’s own yeasts. Unfined and untreated, the wine matures for a long time on the lees and fine yeast in stainless steel and large, classic wooden barrels until bottling.

Colour

Medium golden yellow with green reflections

Nose

The 2022 Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling GG Riesling VDP Erste Lage presents itself in its youthful stage, still closed. Only with sufficient oxygen contact do fine notes of citrus, green apple, and elderflower emerge from the glass through the tightly woven terroir layer. Delicate exotic hints of young pineapple, ginger, and coriander are also hinted at. It heralds pure Riesling freshness combined with cool finesse.

Palate

On the palate, it is characterized by a fine tartness reminiscent of grapefruit and a wonderfully refreshing acidity. It plays, it dances on the tongue, appearing crystal clear and extremely invigorating. It’s fantastic how Christmann managed to catapult this Riesling into the glass with such concentration and power, so elegantly and floatingly. If you want to taste it in its youthful state, you should definitely decant it and serve it not too cold in a sufficiently large glass.

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Keywords: Christmann Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling VDP Erste Lage 2022 bio Pfalz Germany

Wine Advocate

Score: 91

The 2022 Riesling Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad VDP.Erste Lage® opens with a clear and spicy sandstone and iodine tone intertwined with spicy Riesling aromas. Lush and round on the palate, this is a generous, intense and textured Riesling that is still somewhat closed and untamed but well balanced and elegant. It is a mouthful of ripe and elegant fruit and reveals a quiet flow over the palate. The acidity is rather mild here and wrapped in texture. Bottled in July with 12% stated alcohol. Diam cork. Tasted at the domaine in December 2023.
Stephan Reinhardt

Vinous

Score: 92

The 2022 Riesling Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Erste Lage has an aspect of cream and peach on the nose. The palate is fresh and sports lemon-edged almost zesty, cool stone fruit. At the core, there is concentration and the slightest bit of heat. The 2022 is charming, smooth and beautifully rounded, with a bone-dry finish and very clear-cut. (Bone-dry)
— Anne Krebiehl MW
Drinking window: 2023 – 2035
Review date: Dec 2023

Producer website: https://weingut-christmann.de/en/