Knebel 2016 Uhlen Riesling Grosses Gewächs
Uhlen is the most famous of Knebel's vineyards and is undoubtedly one of the most impressive terraced vineyards in the world. Matthias has three parcels in the Uhlen, the “Blaufüsser Lay” (blue slate), “Laubach” (shell-bearing grey slate), and “Rothlay” (red slate with quartzite and sandstone), and it is fascinating to see this vineyard which used to be bottled separately, as one cuvée as a Grosses Gewächs. It’s less overtly exotic as the Röttgen GG, and shows more density and depth. A mere 725L of this was harvested in 2016, and like the Röttgen, I was only able to try components until it was finally bottled at the end of 2017. White grapefruit, anise, jasmine and fennel notes dominate with an intricately structured palate of fruit, acidity and salt. There’s a pleasant sandalwood quality also in the finish which gives it breadth and length. It’s not a heavy GG, but it does have more body than the Röttgen. Once blended, the resulting wine is a wonder, showing pear, apricot and controne pepper supported by a salty-slatey juiciness with 8.5 grams residual sugar, which lengthens the palate and supports the body of the wine. In short, the wine is a tribute to the greatness of this terroir.
- 2016
- Riesling
- Grosses Gewächs
- Germany
- Mosel
- Mosel Terraces
- Uhlen
- East, northeast
- Red slate, grey slate, blue slate, quartzite, sandstone
- Sustainable: Fair 'N Green
- Stainless steel
- Stainless steel
- 12.5%
- 5.5 g/L
- 8.5 g/L
- 21.3 g/L
- 750 ml
- White
- $72.00