Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese 2023

Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese, Nahe, Germany, 2023

Grape: 100% Riesling, 20-55 year old vines on grey clay slate & sandstone soil, hand harvested, 40hl/ha yield, 59.5g/L residual sugar, unoaked

Producer Tasting Note:

Brilliant, wonderful Riesling Spätlese with a piquant acidity that is in harmony with a ripe fruit sweetness. A Riesling full of character with great depth of taste, reminiscent of wild cherries. On the nose, it's clear, pure and intense with hints of wet, crushed stones, ripe pineapple, mirabelles and a hint of red winter apples. On the palate, it's dense yet elegant, extremely delicate with a stimulating mineral acidity. Due to a less pronounced sweetness, this late harvest appears rather fine and rich in finesse with a high ageing potential.

The steep, south-facing Kirschheck slope is exposed to the wind and this helps keep the grapes' higher acidity, making it suitable for making sweeter, late harvest wines.

Critics Tasting Notes:

"The 2023 Riesling Norheimer Kirschheck Spätlese benefits from cool nights. Dönnhoff emphasizes that this has no botrytis. A touch of tangerine appears on the nose. The palate brings immense charm to the veil-like lightness. This is all delicacy and elegance, scented with tangerine. It’s beautifully restrained and so fresh. Around 50-60 g/L of sweetness against thrilling acid means this is still only medium sweet. The 2023 is exquisite, pure and taut. (Medium)" Drink 2028-2050

94/100 points, Anne Krebiehl, VINOUS, October 2024

"Very juicy and very animating, this is a beautiful riesling Spätlese that’s light years removed from the
cliches for this category. I love the delicacy of this very concentrated, yet light-footed wine that
delights and fascinates as it dances its way over your palate and off into the distance. Drink or hold"

96/100 points, James Suckling, 2024