The Dönnhoff family has been producing wine in the Nahe region for over 200 years, with Helmut Dönnhoff at the helm since 1971 and now joined by his son Cornelius. Their 25 hectares of Erste Lage vineyards, including Oberhäuser Leistenberg, Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg, Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle, Oberhäuser Brücke, Norheimer Dellchen, Norheimer Kirscheck, and Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl, are considered some of the best in Germany. The family's winemaking philosophy emphasizes natural and organic practices, including dry farming, hand harvesting, and spontaneous fermentation in traditional German casks and stainless steel. This approach results in wines known for their elegance, acidity, and mineralic character, with each vineyard site showcasing its unique terroir.
Very complex wild herb and berry nose with a touch of fresh pineapple. Concentrated and succulent, yet this remains so bright, the minerality building to a huge climax that is still so vibrant. Enormous aging potential. From organically grown grapes with Fair'n Green certification. Drink or hold.
From 40+-year-old vines on weathered sandstone soils, the 2020 Höllenpfad Im Mühlenberg GG opens with a clear, fresh and elegant bouquet of ripe, bright fruits. Full-bodied, intense and mineral on the palate, this is a pure fresh, straight and fruity yet also complex and sustainable Riesling with a long and tensioned, clear and polishing finish with lingering salinity. The 2020 has a lot of expression but is still youthful and will gain complexity, finesse and elegance as it ages in the bottle. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July and again six weeks later in Wiesbaden in August 2021. Stephan Reinhardt