Rheinhessen 2017 Riesling Part III: Battenfeld-Spanier, Groebe, Gutzler, Keller, Winter, Wittmann

(Originally published 3 October 2018.)

This set of wines was surprisingly mixed in quality, with some producers performing as expected, but others falling short.




BATTENFELD-SPANIER

2017 (Nieder-Flörsheim) Frauenberg Riesling GG
Round, medium-light, not very expressive for now, a touch of sugar showing on the finish. 88(+)/B

2017 (Hohen-Sülzen) Kirchenstück Kirchenstück Riesling GG
Meaty nose. Crisp, clear, medium-light in weight, mineral, good length. 91(+)/A-

2017 (Möllsheim) Zellerweg am Schwarzen Herrgott Riesling GG
A bit chalky, austere, not very expressive today, a touch of sugar on the finish. 89(+)/B




K. F. GROEBE

One of the most underrated producers around delivers another superb set of wines. 

2017 (Westhofen) Aulerde Riesling GG
Chalky, smoky nose. Chalky, pure, deep, precise, long. 94/A

2017 (Westhofen) Kirchspiel Riesling GG

Chalky, stony nose, good intensity. Round, pure, deep, chalky, intense, penetrating. 94/A




GUTZLER

2017 (Worms) Liebfrauenstift Kirchenstück Riesling GG
Fruity, chalky nose. Medium-light, good intensity, raspberry and cassis. Good penetration. Very elegant. 90+/B+

2017 (Westhofen) Morstein Riesling GG
Dusty, chalky nose. Some peach with lightness, structure, austerity. Nicely done. 93/A




KELLER

2017 (Westhofen) Morstein Riesling GG
Chalky, smoky, and meaty in nose. A bit of sugar showing in the mouth, round, clear, refined. Needs time to deepen. 91+/A-




WINTER

2017 (Dittelsheim) Geiersberg Riesling GG
Stony, dusty nose. Light, some roundness, smoothness, a bit of cherry and raspberry fruit. 90/B+

2017 (Diettelsheim) Kloppberg Riesling GG
Shy nose. Light, pure, a bit austere for now, but should develop with bottle age. A bit of sugar on finish. 88(+)/B+

2017 (Dittelsheim) Leckerberg Riesling GG
Chalky, stony nose. Some succulence on the palate. Good length. Austere for now. 90/B+




WITTMANN

2017 (Westhofen) Aulerde Riesling GG
Chalky, austere, dusty, deep, structured, pure. Also some roundness. 93+/A

2017 (Westhofen) Brunnenhäuschen Riesling GG
Medium-light, clear, precise, quince jelly fruit, slight bit of chalk. 93/A

2017 (Westhofen) Kirchspiel Riesling GG
Quince aromas. In mouth, medium-light, chalky, quince, good length, firmness. 93/A

2017 (Westhofen) Morstein Riesling GG
Pure, clear, stony nose. In mouth, mineral, lemony, clear, precise, structured, light. 93/A