WITTMANN GUNDERSHEIMER RIESLING TROCKEN RHEINHESSEN 2023 750ml

A PRECIOUS WINE

Weingut Wittmann, located in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, has been crafting wines since 1663, with 15 generations of expertise. Managed by Philipp Wittmann, alongside father Günther (vineyards) and mother Elisabeth (sales), the estate spans 62 acres of limestone-rich soils. Pioneers in sustainable practices, they adopted organic viticulture in 1990 and biodynamic methods in 2004, earning organic certification. Renowned for full-bodied, balanced dry Rieslings, Wittmann’s wines express terroir with precision. Philipp, a former VDP Rheinhessen president, has elevated the estate to global acclaim, twice earning Germany’s best white winemaker title (Eichelmann, 2003, 2013; Gault Millau, 2014).
The 2023 Wittmann Gundersheimer Riesling Trocken is sourced from the VDP Erste Lage Höllenbrand vineyard, featuring limestone and heavy calcareous marl soils. Hand-harvested grapes undergo gentle pressing and spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in large, neutral oak barrels. The wine matures for 8–10 months in the estate’s 1829 vaulted cellar, remaining unfiltered and unfined. Yields are low, around 35 hl/ha, producing a bone-dry wine (<1 g/l residual sugar) with 12% alcohol. The cool, elevated site contributes to its slender structure and vibrant acidity, with potential for future Grosses Gewächs status as vines mature.

TASTING NOTE:

The 2023 Wittmann Gundersheimer Riesling Trocken displays a pale straw hue with crystalline clarity. Its nose is subtle yet precise, revealing lemon zest, green apple, and flinty minerality, with hints of peach and wild herbs. On the palate, it’s light-footed and vibrant, offering citrus-driven freshness, bitter orange, and a waxy texture balanced by crisp acidity. The finish is long, with chalky minerality and a touch of verbena. This elegant, structured Riesling reflects Höllenbrand’s cool terroir, making it ideal for seafood or light dishes. It’s approachable now but will gain complexity with 5–10 years of aging.