Schloss Johannisberg Rotlack Riesling Kabinett 2023 | Germany

Winemaking Notes

Schloss Johannisberg Gelblack Riesling Trocken 2023 is hand-harvested and gently pressed to preserve the fresh fruit characters. Fermentation takes place 80% in stainless steel and 20% in wooden casks of 1,200 litres, crafted from wood from Schloss Johannisberg's own oak trees. This traditional approach showcases pronounced aromas of yellow fruit, such as juicy vineyard peach, apricot and yellow apple, with a hint of rosemary and cool mint. The multi-layered aromas provide a bouquet with refreshing complexity. The wine delivers a fresh, grippy acidity and balanced fruit sweetness on the palate, mellow with a slight melt, herbal notes and a hint of grapefruit on the finish. Distinctive well-crafted flavours of Riesling paired with the firm body of Johannisberg Schlossberg, full of clarity, intensity and harmony. An animating introduction to the world of Schloss Johannisberg Rieslings, this 100% Riesling from the historic single vineyard estate showcases the quality and character that has made Rheingau Riesling world-famous.

Vintage Conditions

The 2023 vintage in Rheingau produced ideal conditions for Riesling, allowing the fruit from the 50-hectare single vineyard to develop pronounced aromas of yellow fruit whilst maintaining the fresh, grippy acidity that defines this exceptional trocken style. The rounded single vineyard encloses Johannisberg Castle in a semicircle and slopes down to the Rhine in terraces to the south. The soil is characterised by Taunus quartzite with an overlay of fertile loam and a layer of loess, as well as a small amount of iron dioxide, which colours the soil reddish. This distinctive terroir ensured the grapes developed optimal flavour concentration of juicy vineyard peach, apricot and yellow apple with hints of rosemary and cool mint, whilst maintaining natural acidity and freshness. The 2023 vintage allowed Schloss Johannisberg to craft a wine with balanced fruit sweetness, mellow texture with a slight melt, herbal notes and a hint of grapefruit on the finish. The combination of ideal vintage conditions, distinctive Taunus quartzite terroir, and traditional winemaking with 80% stainless steel and 20% wooden cask fermentation created a Riesling full of clarity, intensity and harmony. A wine that is an animating introduction to the world of Schloss Johannisberg Rieslings from the historic single vineyard estate.