Riesling Goldlack Trocken 2021 Schloss Johannisberger

Tasting Notes

What are your first impressions? Yellow apple, white peach, a squeeze of lime and the wet stone notes that Riesling from the Rheingau is so famous for. The palate is dry and focused, with bright acidity. There is a sense of quartzite minerality underneath the fruit. The finish is long and salty, without sweetness. Best enjoyed not as an aperitif but lightly chilled at around 10-12°C with food. A true dry Riesling.

Grape Varieties

Riesling, and nothing else. All the wines from Schloss Johannisberg are produced on the same south-facing monopole around the castle, where exclusively Riesling has been grown since 1720. So why is this so important in this case? Because the 2021 Goldlack Trocken is the purest expression of one grape on one slope. The cool weather enhances the Riesling's natural acidity and the Taunus quartzite gives the wine a mineral backbone.

Cellaring Potential

Drink sometime between 2030 and 2055: the 2021 vintage gives Riesling two essential elements for aging: high acidity and unctuous concentration. Bottles should be stored horizontally at 10-14°C. Over the next decade, the initial citrus and fruit aromas will slowly evolve into honey, beeswax and classic petrol notes.

The Producer

Why Schloss Johannisberg is something else: In 1720, Riesling was first planted here in monoculture; 294,000 vines were planted all along the south-facing hills above the Rhine. This decision determined the fate of German wine. In addition, in 1775 this estate accidentally introduced the Spätlese style to the world. Today, the estate is part of the Dr. Oetker Group, directed by Stefan Doktor. Schloss Johannisberg is regularly featured in the world's leading wine magazines.

Terroir & Climate

The vineyard sits on Taunus quartzite schist, which is rocky, mineral rich, well drained and retains heat. Why is this important? Because riesling on warm, well-drained stones matures without losing its nerve. The slopes face south, the altitude ranges from 114 to 182 meters above sea level, in some places the gradient reaches 45%. The hills of Taunus shelter it from the cold north winds. The wide, lake-like Rhine River reflects the sun's rays onto the vineyards and mitigates temperature fluctuations. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Winemaking

A decisive feature of Schloss Johannisberger is the cellar itself. Fermentation takes place partly in stainless steel and partly in large traditional oak barrels from the estate's own forests. Small barriques and heavy new oak barrels are not used. This is why Goldlack Trocken tastes of fruit and stone fruit rather than vanilla. Aging takes place in an underground vaulted cellar that was built by a Benedictine abbey around 1100. The bottle library holds wines dating back to 1748. History is part of the process here.

Food Pairing

This wine has a heaviness and sharp acidity, so it should be paired with rich or spicy dishes. Some ideas:

• White asparagus with hollandaise sauce, a Rheingau classic.
• Zander (pike-perch) sautéed in brown butter.
• Roasted pork knuckle
• the acidity shines through the fat.
• Thai green curry with chicken.

Serve at 10-12°C. No need to decant, but let it rest for 10 minutes in the glass.