Dönnhoff Höllenpfad im Mühlenberg Riesling GG 2023

This exclusive vineyard, registered as a Grand Cru and covering a total of four hectares, exclusively produces the GG from just one hectare of its oldest vines. Although the predominant soil composition is colored sandstone, the specific section contributing to the GG showcases a substantial presence of pure rock. Helmut Dönnhoff had hinted at the potential for a Grand Cru in the Höllenpfad site many years ago, and this vision has materialized in recent years. The sandstone hill yields small, thick-skinned berries with an iron-infused spiciness. The resulting wine, though displaying a slightly wilder and more robust profile, presents intense and lively notes of grapefruit, orange peel, and mandarin. It exhibits a ripeness, density, and creaminess compared to the Höllenpfad Erste Lage, yet it exudes even more dramatic intensity and playfulness. With an impressive intensity, the wine orchestrates a symphony of flavors, vibrating with a gripping, salty expressiveness in its enduring finish. Layers of salt, herbs, warm red citrus fruit, and rock unfold, featuring nuances of blackcurrant, lilac, a hint of nutmeg, and delicate lychee. In its style, reminiscent of Erdener Prälat, this wine stands as a marvel of harmony, seamlessly blending a velvety texture with compelling minerality, offering a simultaneously captivating and exhilarating experience on the palate. The mouthfeel is impactful, delivering saltiness, pressure, and acidity.