2019 Donnhoff, Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling GG, Nahe

Dönnhoff's viticultural philosophy centers on allowing each Grand Cru site to speak, employing meticulous, sustainable practices like hand-harvesting and spontaneous fermentation in neutral vessels to express terroir directly. The Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl, a south-facing vineyard defined by loess loam and gravelly quartzite, inherently provides excellent water retention and mineral complexity, resulting in small, thick-skinned Riesling berries. The 2019 Nahe vintage, characterized by a warm, dry summer followed by cooler late-season conditions and timely autumn rains, fostered a unique balance of ripeness and structural integrity. This particular growing season preserved a vibrant, mineral acidity alongside a firm underlying structure, a common thread across the region. The resulting Riesling GG possesses notable textural density and crystalline acidity, culminating in a wine of profound depth and architectural tension.