2022 Chardonnay dry Rheinhessen Stumm & Klein 0.75l

2022 Chardonnay trocken Stumm & Klein - Rheinhessen
Estate Wine

Origin:

The young winery Stumm & Klein was founded in 2019 by Frank Stumm and Torsten Klein in Gau-Weinheim. The two friends share a long common history and the vision to cultivate Chardonnay at the highest level in Rheinhessen. Their vines grow in the Kaisergarten, one of the most calcareous sites in Rheinhessen. With a carbonate content of up to 75% in the soil, marl and limestone shape the character of the wines: cool, salty-mineral and long-lived.

Vinification:

The grapes were hand-picked, then gently whole-cluster pressed and aged individually. The 2022 Estate Wine matured for 18 months on the full lees in used barriques before being bottled unfiltered. The wood remains subtly in the background – it provides structure and fullness without masking the clear fruit.

Aroma & Taste:

In the glass, the wine shows a radiant golden yellow. On the nose, white flowers, ripe pear and yellow apple combine with a hint of citrus zest, along with fine brioche notes and toasted hazelnut. On the palate, it is juicy and firm, supported by lively acidity (7.9 g/l). The creamy texture is balanced by a cool, chalky minerality. The finish is long, precise and salty-mineral – a wine with energy and elegance.

Food Pairing:

Pairs excellently with grilled fish with lemon butter, poultry in light sauces, seafood or even with fine goat cheese. Thanks to its power and elegance, it is suitable for both gourmet cuisine and as a sophisticated soloist.

Peculiarities of the 2022 vintage in Rheinhessen:

The 2022 vintage was characterized by a hot, dry summer. Water shortage put particular pressure on young vines, while deep-rooted stocks like those in the Kaisergarten benefited from the calcareous soils. Rain in mid-September brought relief and extended the ripening phase, allowing the grapes to be harvested healthy and aromatically ripe. The white wines of the vintage present themselves as fruity, clear and precise, with less acidity than 2021, but with plenty of juiciness and balance.

Conclusion:

The 2022 Chardonnay trocken is the estate wine from Stumm & Klein – and yet anything but a simple entry-level wine. With its concentrated fruit, fine wood integration and typical limestone minerality, it impressively showcases the signature style of this young project. Only 858 bottles were filled – a rare, characterful Chardonnay that already demonstrates the quality and ambition of Stumm & Klein at the basic level.