Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben 2015

We use grapes from our oldest parcel in Scharzhofberg, planted in 1895 , for this wine

The wine is slaty, elegant, smoky, with the typical herbal aromas and has a great tension.

Scharzhofberg is situated in Saar/Mosel. There is no temperature regulating River close by. Therefore we have big temperture changes between day and night. This preserves the acidity in the grapes, which we need for the off dry and sweet style of our wines.

We live and work in and with a microclimate that is characterised by the northwestern location of our area. The southern slopes are still really necessary here for the ripening of the grapes. So we always live and work on the edge of the possible.

But the basis for this “possible” are constant and can also be quickly explained:

Old vines, some of which are still on their original roots and date back to the 19th century.

Low yields, never exceeding 60 hectoliters per hectare, and most of the time even as low as 30 hectoliters per hectare.

Intensive ploughing, up to six times a year, which keeps the soil fresh and aerated.

And a very restrained use of chemicals. No chemical fertilizers, no herbicides, no insecticides and as few fungicides as possible.

weathered devonian slate

Ocotber 4th-24th

All grapes are harvested by hand . The harvest is then transported in small containers to the press house, where the grapes for this Kabinett were pressed as lightly crushed, whole berries. The size of the transport container and the press have been adapted to the size of our casks for quite some time. This allows us to press quickly and above all - which is becoming increasingly important - individually.

After pressing, we let the must "sit" for 24 hours before it is then drawn off into the aforementioned Fuder casks. Fermentation was spontaneous and stopped when the balance between residual sugar and acidity is reached. This gives the wines their well-known and globally appreciated outstanding fruit sweetness.

Early in the year following the harvest, the wines are drawn off the lees and gently filtered. We prefer an early bottling of our wines. And no too long vat or cask storage. We want to preserve the freshness that allows our Rieslings to retain their own special character.

Because of the natural residual sugar, the high accidity and a low ph level, our wines can age for decades, without loosing their freshness and elegance.