(2023) Run on biodynamic principles, Kühling-Gillot's vineyards lie on red slate close to the river in Rheinhessen. This off-dry white has 11g/l of residual sugar. The nose has a suggestion of custardy tones, but moves more into lime and beeswax, a hint of spiciness too. In the mouth the sweet edge is sliced through by the lemony concentration of the wine - though it is not aggressive, with some weight and richness in the finish.
(2023) Another organic wine, this from Rheinhessen and the village of Ober-Flörsheim. Fermentation is spontaneous with ambient yeasts, 90% in stainless steel and 10% in French oak. Just a touch of residual sugar here at 4.9g/l. Pale green in colour, soft, ripe, apple and ogen melon aromas are smoothed even more by a touch of custard and almond. In the mouth the sweetness combines with ripe fruit to make this mouth-filling, and quite weighty with the creaminess of the oak. The acidity sparks into life, nicely balancing the hint of sweetness. I guess you could say it's in a broadly Alsace style, and is quite delicious. Quite a few independent merchants have this - use the wine-searcher link. Watch the
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(2022) 'Dawn Felder' is a character invented by Laithwaites to introduce their customers to this unfamiliar variety. Juicy cherry stuff, blueberry and lipstick notes on the nose. The palate has cool fruit, smooth and dry, would suit chilling with its charming cherry fruit and balanced, easy drinking acidity.
(2022) This is a truly gorgeous dry Riesling from two of Riffel's top vineyards, Kirchberg and Scharlachberg. Perhaps it's the high density of quartzite in the soils that adds to its shimmering vibrancy, but it opens with a little gold to the colour and delicate but pungent aromas of flint and lemongrass, with a suggestion of peachy ripeness beneath. In the mouth there is such dazzling brightness to fruit and acidity that it almost feels petillant (which it is not) such is the fizzing, sherbetty focus of fruit and acidity. No need to serve this too cold. It is quite brilliant and very good value.
(2020) Organic and biodynamic certified, and vegan-friendly, this Rheinhessen wine is 100% Chardonnay, grown on estate vineyards. Note the fully ripe 14% alcohol, in a bone-dry style. There's a touch of gold to the colour, and to the aromas too: golden delicious apples, a little burnished nuttiness, and a buttery richness. Oak is very discreet. On the palate it is full-textured and mouth-filling, there's plenty of pithy lemon and apple core dry acidity to maintain its direction and focus, and just hints of more tropical, mango and peach fruit, draped on the mid-palate. Savage Vines Subscribers' price: £11.96
(1999) Lovely, distinctive grapefruit and orange aromas with flowery, herbal notes. Superbly balanced on the palate with honey, apricot and nectarine, and luscious, mouth-filling texture. Fine acidity, long and superb.
(1999) This is dry German Riesling ("trocken" means dry). Pale straw/gold colour. Alluring aromas of lime and mineral salts, but also plush fig and peach fruit. There is a beautiful sweetness of fruit on the palate with fine, ripe pear and apple flavours and some bitter-orange notes. The acidity is bracing, but totally at one with the fruit and not overpowering the long, pure and delicious finish. Lovely, clean stuff.
