2019 Steinberger "Wild Ferment" Riesling dry Kloster Eberbach Rheingau 1.5l

2019 Steinberger "Wild Ferment" Riesling dry - Rheingau
single-vineyard wine

Origin:

The Steinberg is one of Germany's most famous vineyards—a clos in the Rheingau surrounded by a historic quarry stone wall, cultivated by the Cistercian monks of Eberbach Abbey since the 12th century . Its southwest-facing slopes, characterized by sand, gravel, clay loam, and slate, produce exclusively world-renowned Rieslings. Only the oldest vines and the most perfect grapes were selected for the "Wild Ferment ." The "Wild Ferment" is an experiment deeply rooted in tradition, bottled for the second time in 2019. Chief oenologist Kathrin Puff opted for "pure nature"—fermenting exclusively with the Steinberg's natural yeasts .

Expansion:

The process begins directly in the vineyard: The carefully hand-picked grapes are mashed and fermented in a glass balloon in the middle of the vineyard – without any added yeast . This initial fermentation, initiated by the vineyard itself, provides the natural fermentation starter .

The remaining grapes are left to macerate on their skins —a process that has also been practiced in Burgundy for centuries. The must is then gently drawn off and transferred to small barriques located in the historic Steinberg forge . This location was deliberately chosen: away from the rest of the cellar, to protect the must from foreign yeasts and to allow the wine to work exclusively with its own yeast culture.

The final stage is the blending of the fermenting must from the vineyard (glass carboy) with the must from the barriques. After fermentation, the wine matured on the fine lees and was bottled exclusively in magnum bottles , which give it enormous aging potential.

Aroma & Taste:

The 2019 "Wild Ferment" opens with a finely reductive note reminiscent of flint and roasted nuts. With aeration , brioche, ripe pineapple, mango , and subtle citrus notes unfold, accompanied by a spicy, almost smoky nuance. On the palate, it displays plenty of substance , a taut, lively acidity, and a striking minerality. The finish is focused, long, and characterized by a subtle salinity —a wine that balances depth and freshness.

Food recommendation:

Its expressive aromas make it the ideal accompaniment to fried scallops with herb butter , turbot or grilled char , but also to more rustic dishes such as braised pork cheeks or fried mushrooms.

Special features of the 2019 vintage in the Rheingau:

2019 brought a A concentrated yet elegant vintage. The long dry period resulted in small, aromatic berries, and the harvest was significantly below average. The result: clear, fresh acidity, ripe fruit , and a precise structure—perfect conditions for a Riesling with strong character and long-lasting development potential.

Conclusion:

The 2019 Steinberger "Wild Ferment" dry Riesling is powerful, aromatically complex, and minerally precise . It has excellent aging potential in the magnum bottle and will continue to refine over the years— a wine for connoisseurs who have the patience and want to witness the development of a great single-vineyard Riesling.