Knebel 2016 Riesling "Alte Reben"
Because of the VDP strictures, Matthias had to figure out what to do with his Hamm and Brückstück sites, previously bottled separately, but not regarded as Grosse Lagen sites. His response was to bottle the oldest vineyards from both sites into this “Alte Reben” bottling and declassifying the rest into the “Von den Terrassen.” This is why this offering, the VDT and the basic estate are at new levels of quality in 2016. The vines are 60-70 years old, and it may be my favorite wine from Matthias in this vintage. It’s both a compact and firm wine, but it retains a lithe elegance to the structure also, giving it tension. 70% was fermented stainless, 20% in neutral 500L barrel. Aromas of Earl Grey tea, yellow plum and apples are apparent, but it is mostly marked by minerality and saltiness that you’d expect in old vines. Don’t miss this one.
- 2016
- Riesling
- QbA
- Germany
- Mosel
- Mosel Terraces
- Hamm and Röttgen
- Southeast, east
- Red slate, grey slate, blue slate, quartzite, sandstone
- Sustainable: Fair 'N Green
- Stainless steel, neutral cask
- Stainless steel, neutral cask
- 11.5%
- 5.6 g/L
- 12.7 g/L
- 20.4 g/L
- 750 ml
- White
- $44.00