• WINERY
• HISTORY
• WINES
• EVENTS
• CONTACT

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

vintage report 2009

Looking back to a glorious "Golden October", I am delighted to report the result of the harvest 2009 from my vineyards at Hochheim: Again a blessed vintage, excellent in quality, but smaller in quantity. I am grateful for the gracious gift of nature.

The vegetation period 2009 was favorable for growing and maturation: Thanks to warm temperatures in spring, we had an early blossoming, followed by good rain for growing, then again warm summer and finally dry eastern wind in October with cool nights, which are perfect for developing the elegant Riesling aromas.

Many of my vineyards have been carefully pre-picked by hands to select all grapes with "noble - rot” (botrytis) for the famous noble-sweet Riesling BEERENAUSLESE of more than 140° - a rarity, which is now slowly fermenting in my cellar. The result of the main harvesting is overwhelming: All Riesling grapes above 90°, some even above 100° must-weight, technically suitable for the Spätlese or Auslese segment - but mostly used for Kabinett or Spätlese; in addition, some fully ripe, fruity and velvet pinot-noir (Spätburgunder) red wines. Again, nature has spoiled winegrowers and wine friends with a series of exceptional vintages.

After slow, cool fermentation, now the young Riesling shows brilliant clean fruit, elegance and intense minerality with ripe, well balanced acidity. The vintage 2009 presents the full range from popular Riesling CLASSIC through KABINETT and SPÄTLESE up to wonderful AUSLESE and the famous Riesling ERSTES GEWÄCHS, the ultimate top of dry Riesling in global competition. Thanks to the crisp acidity, the vintage 2009 has a great potential for longevity.