Künstler Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Trocken “Im Neuenberg“ 2023

From the south-facing Hölle vineyard (“steep hill” in Middle High German), this is one of Rheingau’s most prized sites, with 85% classified as Erstes Gewächs. Künstler owns 9.6 hectares here, just east of Hochheim, where the slopes fall gently towards the Main River. The vineyard’s heavy clay marl and high calcium carbonate subsoils deliver remarkable minerality, while the loamy loess topsoil provides balance, water retention and aeration.

The fruit is destemmed, gently pressed, and fermented cool—mostly in stainless steel, with 30% in large neutral oak. After fermentation, the wine rests six months on fine lees, enhancing texture and length. The result is a dry Riesling of power and precision, beautifully expressing its vineyard origins.

“What an amazing nose of ripe apricots, wet earth and smoke. At once seriously concentrated with ample ripeness, but also very bright and uplifting… precise at the very long, savory finish.” – 96 Points, James Suckling