2015 Geisenheimer Rothenberg Riesling GG Trocken Goldkapsel
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Tasting notes
Amazingly, this wine harbors 9.9 grams acidity, a phenomenon otherwise associated in the past three decades solely with extreme conditions like those of 2010 (when even most top-notch Rheingau growers opted to de-acidify). I was not able to ferret out a good explanation for this high acidity, but the Wegeler team was clearly not disturbed by it, and it certainly translates organoleptically into piercing, penetrating brightness. Surprisingly, that brightness is accompanied by quite decadent and heady floral aromas as well as rather evolved hints of moss. Palate firmness accentuates an overall impression of austerity that is partly assuaged in the lemony, rapier finish by mouthwatering salinity. Any attempt to guess this wine’s useful life span in bottle must be highly speculative, and I have made my guess highly conservative – or perhaps I should say “skeptical.”
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Surprising new oak flavors intermixed with ripe yellow-fleshed stone fruit aromas on the nose open to the 2015 Rheingau Riesling Trocken Geisenheim Rothenberg VDP Grosse Lage (GG or Grosses Gewächs). Full-bodied, fresh and elegant on the palate, with vital acidity and some stimulating bitter flavors from the new oak, this is a very aromatic and well-structured Rothenberg; it has very good ageing potential. The oak still has to be integrated a bit more, but even with these fresh oak flavors, it is a convincing GG with grip, fine tannins and attractively ripe fruit.
This somehow smells of Riesling yeast! A little like a Clare Valley Riesling. Solid and lots to chew on with marked acidity but not that much fruit or charm. A bit drying on the finish. (JR)