Clemens Rosenkranz

Sometimes the unexpected is exactly what you were looking for.

I have been living in the Rheingau for 14 years now and have been wondering for a while whether I will ever come across a wine that resembles my idea of ​​Pinot Noir in a large wine-growing region like the Rheingau.

Not that they don't exist, but they are far too rare

and mostly in (very) high price categories,

It must also be possible in the basic or local wine sector.

The first meeting between Clemens and me was pure chance.

In January, at one of the Sommelier College's training sessions in the Rheingau, we had the chance to taste wines from a few Rheingau wineries after a sumptuous dinner. After two days of tasting and sommelier training, my focus was more on small talk than tasting wine.

But then there was a wine label "Rosenkranz" and it was Spätburgunder, I did not know the label so I was curious

, so I spoke to Clemens and off we went.

Perhaps I seemed a little perplexed during the tasting, not because I have already tasted more than enough exciting wines from this world, but rather because this wine fulfilled the profile I had been looking for all along.

We started talking, Riesling and Chardonnay are also marketed under the Rosenkranz label, I learned,

and met some time later for another tasting in Hochheim.

It was clear to me that I wanted to have these three wines to share with you and to give Clemens the stage where the wines belong.

Clemens is at home in the family winery Rebenhof in Hochheim,

Modest as he is, he would not necessarily highlight the notable milestones in his winemaking career to date.

In addition to internships at Au Bon Climat in California, these include the Huber winery in Baden, Méo-Camuzet in Burgundy and the Knipser, Schnaitmann and Wagner-Stempel wineries.

After some time at the Dr.Heger winery, he returned to Hochheim.

His wine style is consistent, honest, bone dry and even though this is only the second official vintage of his Rosary line, you can feel the experience that has already been incorporated here.

Hochheim’s clay and limestone soils characterize the grape varieties.

The Riesling comes from the Kostheimer Weiss Erd and is racy with a hint of spice and the elegant drinking length of a Grosses Gewächs but with a perfectly integrated, balanced acidity.

The Chardonnay is one of the youngest vines in the winery

and this is where Clemens sees his greatest playground.

Not only does Chardonnay in Germany have incredible development potential, but its character here also resembles the elegance of a Chablis and the fullness of a representative of the Kaiserstuhl region.

And of course the Pinot Noir!

Clemens makes his selection from Hochheim's western vineyards. During the open mash fermentation, a few whole grapes are added. This gives the Pinot Noir more bite and spice. It then ages in French pièces for 12 months. After another 12 months in the bottle, the wine is released unfiltered.

As you can read, I am very excited about the wines!!!

In the future, you will of course be able to get his wines from me.