Nahe producer Martin Tesch took his estate out of the VDP a few years back, but he does make single-vineyard dry Rieslings that are on a level with the Grosses Gewächs wines from VDP producers. I had a chance to sample five of the six individual vineyards and also the Unplugged Riesling, the basic dry Riesling that put the estate on its current path.
2018 Riesling Unplugged trocken
Unplugged refers to musicians playing without electric amplification so that the listener gets the most pure version. It is Tesch’s basic Riesling and a very, very good one. You’d never guess that this wine was a from a vintage often characterized by its heat and resulting wines of high alcohol and low acidity. The wine is light as a feather with precise peach skin aromas and flavors, and overall freshness. Outstanding balance and intensity. 12.0% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 08 19. 91/A-
2018 Langenlosenheimer Löhrer Berg Riesling trocken
From loam soils with lots of gravel, this wine has just a slight bit of sweetness betrayed by the delicate acidity. It shows red berry and citric fruits and a light, racy body. Last digits of A.P. Nr: 09 19. 12.5% stated alcohol. 90/B+
2018 Langenlosenheimer Königsschild Riesling trocken
The Langenlosenheimer Königsschild goes to the level of exciting. From chalk, limestone, and loam soils, this wine is light, elegant, precise with lime and other citric fruits. Last digits of A.P. Nr. 10 19. 13.0% stated alcohol. 93/A
2018 Laubenheimer Krone Riesling trocken
From weathered red sandstone and light loam soils, the Laubenheimer Krone is light and racy with good acidity and grapefruit and lemon aromas and flavors. 12.5% stated alcohol. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 11 19. 92/A
2018 Laubenheimer Karthäuser Riesling trocken
Tesch's Laubenheimer Karthäuser is from weathered red sandstone soils. It shows some spice to strawberry and citric fruits, a medium-weight body, good freshness, and notable raciness. Last digits of A.P. Nr. 12 19. 12.5% stated alcohol. 92/A
2018 Laubenhaimer St. Remigiusberg Riesling trocken
Last, from weathered volcanic soils, the Laubenheimer St. Remigiusberg is light in the mouth with a silk texture, good acidity, finesse, and minerality that needs a bit more time to fully express itself. Last digits of A.P. Nr.: 13 19. 12.5% stated alcohol. 92(+)/A